Convert a Modern Jeep Wrangler Tailgate Into a Classic 1970s CJ Tailgate

So just a little background here. I have owned a few Jeeps over the years and have found that I really enjoy making them my own. I've always fond something interesting but time consuming to do to the Jeeps. In this instructable, I'll show how I converted a modern Jeep wrangler tailgate into a classic 1970's fold down tailgate.

Basically, this project begins by cutting out the center of the original tailgate and adding new hinges.

Finding a tailgate from a 1970's Jeep CJ and cut the center out of that tailgate

Welding the 1970's tailgate into the hole in the modern tailgate.

Body working to give the tailgate that finished look.

Priming & painting.

Mounting hinges and support cables to finish reinstall the tailgate.

I hope you enjoy it!

SUPPLIES: You will need a number of tools and additional materials

1. 2016 JK Jeep Wrangler and tailgate
2. 1970's CJ Jeep wrangler tailgate
3. Jeep hood hinges to replace the tailgate side hinges
4. Power Saw
5. Angular grinder w/
6. Cut-off blades
7. Grinding blades
8. Power drill
9. Socket wrench
10. Welder
11. Straight edge
12. Sharpie Markers
13. Additional sheet metal
14. Automotive body Fill
15. Sanding pads
16. Sanding blocks
17. Painters Tape
18. Primer & paint

In this step, I took a perfectly good tailgate and started cutting into the back side to make space a room to weld in the 1970s panel. This is probably the most difficult part. You ask why - well, it is a little worrisome to destroy something in perfect condition. But once it is destroyed, every next step brings the project closer to a different perfection.

In this step at the same time much planning goes into lining up and attaching the new hinges.

Picture 1 & 4 - Before removing the old hinges on the right side (these keep the tailgate in its original position), I measured and planned where to place the new lower hinges and outlined (in yellow) the placement of the new panel. Then weld these hinges to the body and bolt the hinges to the tailgate. At this point the side/original hinges can be removed.

Picture 5 - start cutting out the tailgate and fitting and welding small steal panels back to the tailgate to make a rectangle opening which is the exact size of the panel that I will insert in the next step.

In this step, I started cleaning, prepping and cutting the 1970s tailgate so it would fit in the tailgate that had just been cut. You can see how the yellow lines help to keep everything lined up. At this point the 1970s panel and the 2016 tailgate are welded/merged together. This was starting to feel like the result was going to be nice.

Now after welding and grinding everything smooth, a little bodywork would be needed to make this tailgate look like it was meant to be this way. This is where a little body filler is used to smooth everything out. I regularly used a straight edge to keep the lines visible.

Just what it looks like. The customized tailgate was primed and painted.

It is always good to do a final test fit before repainting the entire Jeep.

The entire Jeep and tailgate was repainted. This is the final result which I was very happy with. It looks like it was meant to be this way. Thanks for reading to the end!