Being an XJ guy the tailgate setup just pisses me off, when you open it it swings way out into the way, and makes it annoying when your camping and loading things in and out. Having the spare tire sticking way out he back essentially makes the KJ about a foot longer without any added benefits.

My thought was the KJ should have been increased in body length would give the same length for parking, backing up, etc, but give many times more interior room, so much so that you could put the spare inside and still have a net gain of useable storage space.

So I photo shopped it:





Also, with that stupid spare out of the way the rear could be a fold down tailgate like a truck, with a flip up glass, and the glass could be increase in size meaning greater VISIBILITY and SAFETY.

Anyways, thats my rambling thoughts.

_________________
http://www.Colorado4Wheel.com
"Its not about what you can DO with your Jeep, its about where you can GO with your Jeep."
Knowledgeable - But Caustic

I've always thought the same thing. I've owned a couple of pickups and really like tailgates.

With my RL bumper and tire carrier, the tire is off the door so a conversion would possible. Wonder what it would take to convert the swing out to fold down gate.

_________________
2005 CRD "Ol' Blue"
Red Ryder carbine-action, two hundred shot range model air rifle with a compass in the stock and this thing which tells time.
My build page- RL Komodo Rear and TJM Front Bumper, armored, lifted, JBA Steel D30, 4.10s and ARB air lockers.

I dunno, but I think you should do it.

_________________
http://www.Colorado4Wheel.com
"Its not about what you can DO with your Jeep, its about where you can GO with your Jeep."
Knowledgeable - But Caustic

No way I'd want my KJ to be longer in the back. I wish the whole thing was slightly shorter as is. More hanging off the rear means more crap getting in the way off road. If I never went off road and used it for dirt roads only then maybe I could see things your way.

_________________
My Jeep Build ----> Big Black

hmm what about having the back door open in the middle essentially creating 2 seperate doors? i think itd be somewhat cool

_________________
jeep liberty 4wd patriot blue..work in progress

MODS
Dual Sound System
Lighting 12" Sub and amp
Painted Exterior Trim (Flat Black)
Light Bar w/ 4 super sport lights
BVG Basket
VHT'D

Needs:
Lifted
Skids
Winch

Looks like a Cherokee to me...

_________________
2003 Liberty Sport 4X4
DIY Frankie Lift, BBS Rims, Aussie Locker Rear, DTT Front, Renegade Rack & Light Bar, Custom Front Bumper w/ Warn XD9000i, Custom Rear Bumper, JBA UCA's, Full Skids(Mopar, Kilby and Super skid), CRS Rock Rails, CB, EVIC, Nav, power dim mirror, (2) 8" subs under front seats. http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2512777

As long as the lower portion swings to the side or swings down like a tail gate, I could still use the trailer KJ to pull my sailboat. If it swings up (it'll hit the mast in the cradle)

cool photoshop and a great idea.

_________________
02 Liberty Limited
Silver Outside & Taupe Inside
Heated Seats, Sunroof & Infinity speakers
USA Spec I-Pod adaptor, Mopar Sub, Garmin GPS
Tow Package, Select-Trac
Rock Rails, Tow Hooks

Looks like the back of a Dodge Durango to me.

_________________
Tom (& Cody, that's my dog)
02 Black KJ LTD, 6/01
lots of stuff...can always use more



Previous: 95ZJ 92XJ 90XJ 80CJ5

X2

too much rear overhang for my taste

_________________
2005 Liberty Sport 4x4

Frankenlift; Skink Sliders; Skid Row front skid; Mopar trans, t-case, and gas tank skids; f/r recovery points; Cobra 75 WX ST; Renegade light bar; hardwired radar detector; 245/75 Guard Dog MTs; Optima Red Top, Amsoil air filter

Ditto. Messy rear departure angle. Would be cool for rear seat passengers and cargo though.

_________________
99 TJ
71 C101
04 KJ
03 SFA KJ Sport
LOST JEEPS So-Cal

Kinda looks like the Gen I Durango.

_________________
'04 Renegade 4x4
L.O.S.T. #058466
Car Domain, Updated: 2/23/2009
===_oooo
(_l_|_,\____\,_
{----__---_(olllllllo)
()_)"""""()_)--"--)_)

Buy a KK, it is slightly larger/longer and has the spare under. The one thing that bugged me about the XJ was the spare taking up all that room inside.

tire inside the XJ was great did not take up that much room plus you had storage around/ inside of it,


I always HATED the swing up gate, never let me get into my trailer when I was pulling it, now with the KJ I can pop the rear window and still gain access, lots better, swing out door has its advantages as well I think, would not make the KJ any longer or change the gate unless it was to barn door it!

_________________
MUDD'S MOTORSPORT'S We do IFS lift installs ,
03 OVERLAND EDITION /Kilby-Skidrow-Mopar-4XGuard skids/ 2.5 inch TOTAL CONTROL JBA coilovers -JBA Arms/MOABS-31 FALKEN WILDPEAK AT3W / 4.10's etc, 04 Kilimanjaro Edition loaded, plus 05 KJ limited

I know, looks awesome huh?




Inreality you would lengthen the wheelbase some and keep the deaprture angle about the same..........keep in mind that for doing a photochop with my level of skill that is much harder to do.

_________________
http://www.Colorado4Wheel.com
"Its not about what you can DO with your Jeep, its about where you can GO with your Jeep."
Knowledgeable - But Caustic

Either way, I wouldn't want my wheelbase any longer either. I wish it was 100 and not 104 like it is already. Lengthening it just makes life harder on the trails.

_________________
My Jeep Build ----> Big Black

some others someone else did:

_________________
http://www.Colorado4Wheel.com
"Its not about what you can DO with your Jeep, its about where you can GO with your Jeep."
Knowledgeable - But Caustic

I could get behind an "LJ" version of a KJ. That could be sweet. 2 door short wheelbase KJ...

_________________
My Jeep Build ----> Big Black

I'd go for a 2 door KJ. Might need to lengthen the front door a little more so you could get people into the back seat.

_________________
2005 CRD "Ol' Blue"
Red Ryder carbine-action, two hundred shot range model air rifle with a compass in the stock and this thing which tells time.
My build page- RL Komodo Rear and TJM Front Bumper, armored, lifted, JBA Steel D30, 4.10s and ARB air lockers.

X2

_________________
Illegitima Non carborundom!

Yea, making the wheel base longer takes away from the break over angle and making the rear bumper longer takes away from the departure angle.

Looks pretty sweet none-the-less. Looks like you make a KK with rounded edges to me.

Like that dual exhaust you sneaked in there too.

_________________
LOST KJ'S
Where are you going???
Current Jeep: 2004 Jeep Liberty
-Atlantic Blue
-Air Ride Rear Suspension ; OME/Rustys Lift ; Powertrax Locker ; Moog Lower Ball-Joints ; 245/70/16 Yokohama Geolander A/T-S's on MOABS ; Flowmaster 50 SUV
Lost #007082
http://www.cardomain.com/id/jeepjeepster