Waggy back window woes

[smogdredd]

I drive My Waggy hard on bad roads every day and have had a problem with the rear window track and regulator pins wearing out. One day I looked in the rear veiw mirror and found the problem. The tailgate was moving from side to side. Later Waggys have taperd pins that locate the gate but the 63 didn't use them. Yesterday I fabricated pins and sockets for the gate and the results were fantastic! The interior noise level on washboard is like a new vehicle. If anyone wants to do this mod I would be glad to post a design probably better than what I did. Also I was able to get the gate to line up perfecly without the annoying gap difference on the sides that it has always had. It's amazing just how much flex there is in the tailgate opening area.

[Cherokee Man]

Please post your design. Mine needs to be quieted down, too.

[shagwagon13]

in for design!

[Brizio]

[710 Burner]

Yes please post up any information you can share about this. Even us guys that have the dovetails (thats how they are listed in parts) on the tailgate have issues with them. For one thing, they are made of the dreaded unobtainium. Another thing is that they seem to be inadequate when you have the inserts and all. I fabricated a pin from a bolt and have it pointed in one of the dovetails that does not have an insert, and it works some, but I am still seeing movement back there. Maybe some more adjustment is in order.

[smogdredd]

First design room for improvement

After I almost finished this i realized that the sockets could be placed on the side of the gate and the pins set in the flange where i had atached the sockets. OOOOPS The pins are 3/8 bolts taperd at the end. The sockets are spare spacers that fit the bolts closely. I had a 1/2 inch gap at the top right side of the gate, tried pulling but it sprang back. the pins fixed it.
The sockets are attached where the sheet meatal is doubled just behind where the rubber wedge used to be. It takes a bit of fiddleing and filing to get a smooth open and close due to the geometry of the gate closing.

[710 Burner]

Yup the AMC version has the pins mounted to the body and the dovetails are on the sides of the gate. I think I used a 3/8 bolt on mine.

[Cherokee Man]

Thanks for posting this smogdredd. If I can't quiet my tail gate squeaks, I just may resort to this. Yesterday I have discovered the main reason mine squeaks so much, is the latch on the left side of the gate is not latching the gate. So I'm going to try and fix that first before diving into your solution.

I have read various posts that said the tailgates changed design somewhere along the line. Does anyone know for sure when they changed? Was the latching mechanism one of the things that changed? This info will help me to research what is wrong with my gate.

On each side of the gate there is a wheel-type of gear with 7 or 8 teeth. I think the teeth on that gear are supposed to mesh with the latch mechanism on the body. On my 78, the gear on the good side seems to only turn in one direction. On the bad side that gear just spins in either direction.

[smogdredd]

Better idea

This is the rough idea for design #2 Exact measurements and such are up to You and the window track may in fact be too close for all but the thinnest hardware.

[smogdredd]

Adjusting the latch

Thanks for posting this smogdredd. If I can't quiet my tail gate squeaks, I just may resort to this. Yesterday I have discovered the main reason mine squeaks so much, is the latch on the left side of the gate is not latching the gate. So I'm going to try and fix that first before diving into your solution.

I have read various posts that said the tailgates changed design somewhere along the line. Does anyone know for sure when they changed? Was the latching mechanism one of the things that changed? This info will help me to research what is wrong with my gate.

On each side of the gate there is a wheel-type of gear with 7 or 8 teeth. I think the teeth on that gear are supposed to mesh with the latch mechanism on the body. On my 78, the gear on the good side seems to only turn in one direction. On the bad side that gear just spins in either direction.

The latch has two ratchet positions, ideally the first click on both sides will be about 3/4 of an inch out and the second click should only happen after the waetherstrip is compressed slightly. If Your'e weather strip is old pull the gate rearward in the fully closed position and check the level of the gate skin and fender, correct if not flush and add weatherstrip tape if flush isn't tight.
The latch didn't change that much and dosn't keep the gate centerd, that's why the newer ones use pins just like most convertables use on doors.

[smogdredd]

Great Googley MoogleyGreat Googley MoogleyGreat Googley MoogleyGreat Googley Moogleyed plastic

Yes please post up any information you can share about this. Even us guys that have the dovetails (thats how they are listed in parts) on the tailgate have issues with them. For one thing, they are made of the dreaded unobtainium. Another thing is that they seem to be inadequate when you have the inserts and all. I fabricated a pin from a bolt and have it pointed in one of the dovetails that does not have an insert, and it works some, but I am still seeing movement back there. Maybe some more adjustment is in order.

Most pin aligners use a nylon insert and i suppose if one was truly picky the socket could be overdrilled and lined with PVC pipe or smething simillar.

[smogdredd]

Thanks for posting this smogdredd. If I can't quiet my tail gate squeaks, I just may resort to this. Yesterday I have discovered the main reason mine squeaks so much, is the latch on the left side of the gate is not latching the gate. So I'm going to try and fix that first before diving into your solution.

I have read various posts that said the tailgates changed design somewhere along the line. Does anyone know for sure when they changed? Was the latching mechanism one of the things that changed? This info will help me to research what is wrong with my gate.

On each side of the gate there is a wheel-type of gear with 7 or 8 teeth. I think the teeth on that gear are supposed to mesh with the latch mechanism on the body. On my 78, the gear on the good side seems to only turn in one direction. On the bad side that gear just spins in either direction.

Check to be sure the rod connecting the latch to the handle isn't too tight keeping the latch open. they should both ratchet with the gate open and the handle in the down position. You may have a broken spring in the latch.

[lkmarsh]

Might want to check your tailgate hinges. My gate rattled the same way, even with the dovetails. Both hinge pins had sheared. Machine shop fixed them with drill rod.

[smogdredd]

Might want to check your tailgate hinges. My gate rattled the same way, even with the dovetails. Both hinge pins had sheared. Machine shop fixed them with drill rod.

Been there, new bushings and pins in '87 hinges. The '63 hinges were completly seized.

[710 Burner]

I have read various posts that said the tailgates changed design somewhere along the line. Does anyone know for sure when they changed? Was the latching mechanism one of the things that changed? This info will help me to research what is wrong with my gate.

On each side of the gate there is a wheel-type of gear with 7 or 8 teeth. I think the teeth on that gear are supposed to mesh with the latch mechanism on the body. On my 78, the gear on the good side seems to only turn in one direction. On the bad side that gear just spins in either direction.

I don't know the exact year, i think it was at the end of '79. Can you push the handle down and get the other latch to lock up?