Tailgate conversion?

[masterzeke7]

I am wondering if anyone with a 2nd generation 4runner has modded their back tailgate section to be like a 4th generation tailgate where it actually opens like an explorer or something like that. Lose the ability of the rolling down window but wouldnt have issues with water and major rust from leaking window. Just curious whats out there or what ppl have done to prevent major water inside the tail window/hatch section.

 

[Hyde802]

Its not going to be easy. Nothing is going to be the same size.

to

They dont even look close.

 

[Iroke17]

-- removed by admin --

 

[masterzeke7]

yea i am just wondering if anyone out there has done a mod where they have made it a swing style instead of tailgate. I think esp for 2nd gens it would have been better. 1st gen i understand cuz it has the toppper but you arent really losing any ability by putting a swing on a 2nd gen. If you know anywhere where this has been done post a link or pics.

 

[Hyde802]

Gotcha. You would have to make a frame around the top of the glass to support the weight of the gate when its up.

 

[masterzeke7]

yea it would definately be a project but something I might do. Here in MN we get alot of snow, rain, freezing rain, whatever pretty much. so I recently bought a 4runner and the back end is pretty rusted out. along with the rear wheel wells which is typical. I am so jealous of the west coast T4Rs with no rust. so I was thinking to help with the rear window rusting along with the tailgate somehow making something that allows me to scrap the old set up and make something that would use more like a swing rear hatch like the newer runners. just looking for ideas or suggestions.

 

[mattb]

I'm not sure at to whether or not this might half to fight to the rust battle, but have you considered turning it into a swing out (instead of up) hatch, kind of like a CRV? That should let you seal everything up around the window and tailgate, and probably wouldn't require nearly the amount of fabrication that the swing up hatch would.

 

[masterzeke7]

I hadnt thought about a swing out. how does this generation tailgate get so rusty in the first place? whats the flaw in the design? how would a swing out or even my idea of a rear hatch even make a difference?