Tail gate size difference between J-serie trucks

[Heep-J4000]

Is there a difference in size between the tail gates from the early and later j-series jeep trucks?

So the one with the latches on the outside is narrower than the tail gate with the handle in the middle!?

I'm asking because the one in my 73 j4000 with the handle in the middle measures 151 centimetres from left to right and 52 centimetres high.
And the one with the locking tab on the gate i found for sale online measures 145 X 54

Could someone who knows exactly tell me?

Thanks much

[tgreese]

Don't know for sure, but that seems right. The tail lights change too, from disks with the early beds to tall and thin with the later beds. I'd guess the disk tail lights (which are the same lens as the CJ-5, BTW) make the bed sides wider, and the tailgate necessarily narrower. Likely an "improvement" in design when the bed design was updated.

[Harrinad]

I think the tailgate sizes are more related to the bed type eg. thriftside vs. townside.

[tgreese]

I think the tailgate sizes are more related to the bed type eg. thriftside vs. townside.

Thriftside and Townside tailgates are different, for every year. The Thriftside tailgate is a very early part number, likely the same as the Utility Truck tailgate. Nothing like either of the Townside tailgates.

[Herk]

All Thriftside (stepside) tailgated are the same, and in fact are the same from 54 to the end of production. Townside tailgates came in two widths. The 72 and earlier trucks with tailgate chains had a slightly narrower tailgate. 73 and later with the internal latch were wider. They don't interchange.

[Crankyolman]

The plain, simple answer is yes the '72 and older tailgates are approximately 2 inches narrower than the '73 and later tailgates. they measure 21.6 inches tall x 57.6 inches wide. According to the interweb that translates to 54.86cm X 146.3cm.



For the record if you have the fittings from an old tailgate it is possible to narrow a '72 and later tailgate to fit a '72 and earlier bed.

[Heep-J4000]

Thank you all for the help and information!

Cheers
Mees