the people that have done something like this have cut the hatch and installed a tail gate

 

the people that have done something like this have cut the hatch and installed a tail gate

seems like doing the tailgate would be a harder job than the upper gate unless the upper gates are that hard to come by now

 

My liftgate looks like its in good shape but when I open it there seems to be some separation from the inner panel and the outer skin at the top right around the hinges.  Is this normal?  If not what is the procedure repair or would the conversion to a tailgate setup be the route to go?  Also the damn thing rattles like crazy!

 

I want to say that someone on here did a how-to on howto repair the seperation of the inner/outer panels of the liftgate. I've thought about making a 2 piece gate out of an original lift gate but haven't done it yet. I have one that I can practice on cuz it's broken up at the hinges so I'll have to dig it out and start on it. I also thought about just swapping the older two piece setup but never took any measurements. Maybe that's easier?

 

mine is starting to crack at top but dont rattle.i have trouble getting it to close sometimes and i can find no side to side adjustments on it.

 

Seamsealer from an autobody supply shop will remedy the separation. 

Does anyone know what years pickup tailgate fits the early 80's Ramcharger?

 

If I recall right, Mopars4Life did a tailgate conversion on his RC....to have a fully functioning metal tailgate....but he also cut his top off....check out his stuff in the Pic Section....I would think if you went about it the way he did his....and then modified the upper half of the liftgate....ala a camper shell rear window locking system....of course you would have to strengthen the upper portion in any area you cut....but it should be "do-able", as they say....you would end up with a pre-81 to 93 setup....

Paul

 

Keep in mind that the hatch from the removable top Ramchargers will not fit the '81-'93 non-removable top Ramchargers.  You will either have to make something from scratch or cut the fiberglass liftgate down and use the upper portion.  Any '81-'93 tailgate will fit and match the body lines, but the hinges and latches from a pickup bed will need to be attached to the Ramcharger body.  I have seen the older tailgates used on newer truck beds so they could probably also be used but the body lines are different.

 

I understand about the early tailgates and lifts not fitting on the 81-93 models L....but if he were to look at posts 51 thru 55 in mopars 4 life thread in the Pic Section....it would give him some idea of what it took to fab the tailgate to the RC....then, as you said, he would have to use an 81-93 liftgate that was modified....ie; horizontal cut just below the window, strengthened and some sort of locking mechanism added....also might have to use lighter duty struts....so you didn't get smacked in the face with the upper portion when you unlocked it from the tailgate.... ....

Paul

 

I bought a mid 80s tailgate to swap out the cracked liftgate on my '88 RC.  I mocked it up without hinges or latches and it looks like it will fit fine once you custom install the hardware.  Unfortunately I haven't had the time to go further, I plan to section the liftgate and install truck cap locking hardware to hold it in place as previously described.  Also have a "new to me" liftgate to hang if somehow I don't get the tailgate in soon.  Can't be too hard with the proper resources - MIG welder, access to a donor truck bed/tailgate, and some time.

 

Awesome, I appreciate the help.  I found a guy with an 83' Dodge tailgate for $25 I figured I'd pickup.  Guess I'll have to see if I can get all the hardware to go with it, and maybe the bed sides too.  It's funny, I've been wanting to get ready for Winter and get my doors back on and get the back buttoned up to keep me outta the elements, but I still have that hankering to lob my top off!  I'm planning to cut inline with the front of the back windows, that way I still have all the frontal cover and support.  Cap the bedsides and install a tailgate, then use canvas (from a boatshop) to sew up a top that buttons across the top, down the sides and across the tailgate and has that Baja look to it.  Tapering straight from the top to the tailgate.  I think that'll look kicka$$

 

or just buy the spiderram.