Tailgate replacements

[dormobiledisco]

Mine is rusted to the point of "tail" and "gate." I fear my rear windscreen is going to come crashing into the street any day now. It's time to plunk down ~$400 to fix this baby.

I don't really want to go with an original part again, i.e. a used screen. I'm planning on keeping this truck for many, many, many years, and I want it to be replaced once and only once. I also have tinted windows from the backseat back (2x previous owner, not me), and I want it all to match.

So, then, I'm thinking one of the various aluminium frames. But not sure which one to get. I'm leaning towards the Rovers North one, admittedly because it's the only one I can really find in the USA. But any ideas or comments before I take the plunge?

Also, how long does it take to rebuild the tailgate? I have to tidy up some wiring while I'm at it, and replace much of the inner metal trim (the 90-degree pieces that cover the wiring). And the gasket on my current one has gone to shit, and I don't think my CHIMSL works right now.

Rule Britannia.

 

[carlosz]

I have done the aluminum replacement. that is you pull your glass from the existing frame and mount the aluminum frame.
is is a night mare to do , the first time it took me about 12 hours to do the following two times it has taken me about 8 hours, you get great results thou.
best of luck.

 

[robertofollia]

I am rescuing this post from the past as my tailgate (95 RRC 300 Tdi manual tranny, bought new by my father in '95) is in dire need of replacement, From the outside it has the odd bubble here and there, but from the lower inside part it's like a sieve.
Close investigation has resulted in following kits available

-Glazed assemblies: Best bet, from many suppliers around, some british, some "who-knows wehere it comes-from" and with many different price ranges.

-Frame glass-less kits: There you can get crazy, many suppliers, many different prices, different hardware included (from all nuts and bolts and rivets to nothing), and one-piece vs. 4-piece

I'd like to go for the frame kit glass-less version not for price reasons (as I can get the glazed one cheaper from paddockspares) just to retain my original glass, which is pristine, in mint condition

There have been lots of issues with frame kits, some did not fit too well, some distorted, some required trimming frame and strikers so as to let the tailgate close and not rub with the trunk posts, some just fitted too low and required a great deal of adjustments some of them featured "comprehensive" instructions that were just plain crap according to the fitter.
As I would be fitting (or attempting to do so) myself I would be very grateful if some of you could shed some light in this particular issue, as I would not like to get a substandard product and not being able to send it back once opened, assembled and realising it does not fit.

Otherwise, for the time being, MERRY CHRISTMAS to all you

Robert

 

[jeepfiend]

I haven't done the tailgate replacement yet, but I have had really good luck with parts from British Pacific. They have an aluminum replacement kit. I think they might have a completely glazed one as well, with no assembly required other than install. But for my price range I have only looked at the kits. I have time, just no money....

 

[ptschram]

The British Liftgate product is really good and fits right out of the box.

Well worth the $, good instructions, great product.

 

[robertofollia]

Thank you so much for your advice, and hope you had a Merry Christmas all your family together. I will be ordering the British one for the New Year, along with... (PAS pump for my Santana, Complete rear suspension for my D2, RRC liftgate...)
My Rovers are more expensive than a crack habit

Best regards from the other side of the pond
Robert

 

[eliaschristeas]

unless you know someone in southern california who has about half a dozen or so rust free upper tailgates for $150-$200 plus $50 to ship....

 

[p m]

Just picked one at the parts yard for $50... Completely clean, not a speck of rust.

 

[n8thgr8]

Oh, PM Congrats... I bugged PT for info on this last summer, and I'm going to have to replace mine when I get back to CO in June.
Curious to see what people found that works. I'm not looking for a 12 hour job!

 

[kk88rrc]

It would be great if someone sold just a replacement piece for the bottom. Mine looks great from the outside but the bottom is toast.