Fitting a tailgate mk7

[Punto443]

Thought I'd start a wee thread about converting my double doors to a single tailgate.

So....... First what you need.

A tailgate, I wanted a solid one, no windows.
Replacement bumper top parts
Hinges for the top
Reinforcement brackets for the hinges to mount to.

The gas struts for lifting the tailgate, and mounting ball ends
New lock keeper mounted on the bottom crossmember
Two wedge pieces fitted lower on the corner posts


You'll need the wiring to suit for the tailgate also.

[Punto443]

Ideally if your swapping over, you should really cut out and weld over the top hinge mounts of the old doors. But I'm not doing that, I'm just going to either mount a marker light or ????

The bottom hinge mounts will be covered by the replacement bumper caps.

First the reinforcement.
These have a tab that need to slip in between the roof and top crossmember, these are normally sandwiched between these in the factory.

So, I had to cut through the crossmember and bend it down, that let me slip the bracket in.

Then bend the cut part back up, I'm going to give it a couple of tacks with the welder too.

[Punto443]

Them drill the holes out and I've put a couple of bolts in to hold the plate in place stop the water getting in just now.


Next...
Disconnect the wiring, unbolt the restrictors and remove the doors.

Remove the bottom lock keeper.

[Punto443]

So, striped the doors off

And bolted the new one on

The bottom keeper fitted in the same place as the original and latched correctly
Just need a bit of lining up.

[Punto443]

Gas struts fitted and because I got a mk6 tailgate, I had to swap the wiring on to the other side and alter the wiring


I'll have to fit the high level brake light to and swap
The rubber seals

[karl]

so what fills the holes were the original doors went ?

[Rumble bee]

Gas struts are upside down fella

Or mine are

[jonny round boy]

so what fills the holes were the original doors went ?

Twas in the first post...

Ideally if your swapping over, you should really cut out and weld over the top hinge mounts of the old doors. But I'm not doing that, I'm just going to either mount a marker light or ????

The bottom hinge mounts will be covered by the replacement bumper caps.

[Punto443]

Gas struts are upside down fella

Or mine are

well atleast there easy to swap

And I've got the pillar sections to cut out and swap. But I'm thinking I'll find something to mount there rather than cutting out and welding

[coacher]

Glad to see it's gone to a good home. Now I've got to sell the rest of her.

[Kedishen]

handy with the camera punto. I barely manage to get a before and after whenever I do something. Technology confuses me

[Punto443]

Removed again and stripped to prep for painting

[Punto443]

And before I forget!

[KING OF ENGLAND]

You not been to work then

[Punto443]

Just no had the time to go to work craig

To much to do on the van