ANOTHER tailgate question.........

[KivaKid]

Would it be easier to put the 'guts' of my '76 Wag's electric tailgate into my '80 Chero's manual tailgate, or just switch the whole tailgate? The manual handle system is all messed up and rigged (PO), I have to use vise-grips, and the window creeps up when rolled down. I read somewhere (here, I thought) that the manual tailgate's latch 'catches' weren't the same as the electric's latch 'catches' or something like that. I know if I did the 'guts' thing that I would have to do some wiring, but that's not a huge deal. I think the '76's switches and motor are good. Glass and window weather-stripping are better on the '76 as well. Would the tailgates even trade out? :confused:

[ May 02, 2002: Message edited by: KivaKid ]</p>

[Tad]

Kiva, I just put a 79 on my 70, they have only one difference and that is the small pins and pockets that are set up to align the gate with the body. Now the 70 was a manual with large pins located further down that the 79 which is electric. That may be a manual/electric difference or a year thing, I'm not sure. I have looked at an 86 and it is the same (electric) as the 79 as far as size, pins etc. So I'm thinking the whole tailgate is more doable than the guts. Keep me posted as even with a schematic the wiring is very annoying to me.

[KivaKid]

tadsal,
I think you're right about just switching the whole thing. How much of a PITA is that wiring? Guess I'll have to put in the dash switch and run power to the back. Wiring links anyone?

[Tad]

Kiva,
How much of a PIA I don't know yet, I did get mine on and start playing with the wires and then realized I don't have a key to make the switch work. So someone sent me the wiring link for pre 86 vehicles just last week and I can't find it. I have a copy on my HD that I'll convert and attach in email to you. Keep me posted you'll probably figure it out before I do.

[OBX FSJ]

Crown sells a manual window kit for converting electric to manual. You could buy this kit to un-rig your tailgate and retain the manual crank. In a blind taste test survey I would be suprised if 3 out of 4 people didn't prefer to lose the electric hassles living in their tailgate. I have an extra electric motor with regulator here at my house. IMHO stay manual it goes with my KISS theory (keep it simple stupid).

[Tad]

OBX FSJ,
Crown what (auto, elecric, ?), Do they have a catalog or website? I read about a lot of members going from electric to manual and surely understand why. It might be my last resort too. I think Kiva and I just happen to have spare working electric tailgates at hand and are just rying this to see if we can do it. I even have the dash switch in place (not much harness left though), my original was probably converted to manual once before

[Crazy_Jeepman]

From all I heard the Crown manual conversion lasts about as long as it takes to put it in. I believe JUNK was the term I heard to describe quality :eek:

[Crazy_Jeepman]

Yup I did a Search here is what I got
Crown Manual Conversion JUNK!!!!!! (http://www.ifsja.org/cgi-bin/ubbcgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=2&t=002346&p=) :D

[Tad]

Good enough for me Crazy_Jeepman, when you got two working electric tailgates and one broken manual the choice is pretty easy.

[OBX FSJ]

Yeah, right on. I am glad I heard this prior to getting one. I love the idea of manual. But, if they are crapola well then nevermind.

[KivaKid]

Thanks for the 'heads-up' on that replacement manual system! I asked at a famous Jeep place here for a used manual system, and the guy laughed at me and said, "Yeah, right! Use vise-grips like everyone else". I knew that would be the answer! I just want to be able to USE the tailgate, for camping, as a table and such. The manual system would be simpler, but they seem to break almost as often as the electric ones. One good thing about the electrics is that there are many more of them out there, since they continued on into the Grand Wagoneer, which I don't believe were ever offered with manual systems. So finding a replacement electric in theory should be easier than finding a manual one, providing they are still relatively standard between years.

[Crazy_Jeepman]

The OEM manual were pretty much trouble free. I have two of them and they are in good shape. If you can find one I would swap in a OEM manual in place of electric. ;)