88 YJ-CJ Spare Tire Carrier Part 3

Lots of fab work...

Upper Hinge Supports / Tailgate Latches

I made the upper hinge supports from some steel angle.  I also incorporated the tailgate latch, since that feature was missing. CJ7s have a sheet metal tailgate latch in this area, which I am missing, of course.

Starting layout:

More layout:

Cut to size.  The tailgate cable will also attach to the bracket near the red dot:

I'll weld in a steel plate to support the upper hinge

Tailgate latch:

Hinge support plate welded into place:

Holes drilled

Gusset added to Passenger Hinge Bracket

And Driver Side Bracket cut and ready for welding:

Driver's Side Bracket finished:

Tailgate Cables Supported by new brackets:

Passenger Side Tailgate Cable:

Driver's Side Tailgate Cable:

Driver's Side with tailgate closed:

Passenger Side with Tailgate closed:

Lower Hinge Support

I used the factory CJ7 lower hinge support - it bolts inside the wheel well.  Mounting holes were marked and drilled:   

The two bracket angle didn't match the tub angle, so I sliced it open and adjusted the angle to match the tub. 

For some reason, the corner had been cut out of the bracket, so I welded in a new piece of steel for more strength:

Ready to weld:

Welded, ground and ready for paint:

Primed and painted:

Hinge Brackets

I added some steel to the hinge brackets, to increase the bearing surface area on the bolt.  The discs were made with a hole saw:

To keep the discs centered while welding, I made a little spacer:

Ready for welding:

Both sides welded:

The brackets were setup on the mill and drilled and reamed to 1/2".  

The fit is good so far:

Still to go in Part 4:

The tire carrier arms need to be reinforced and bushings added.  

And the latch needs to be reinforced.