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Is this normal? Warped metal under tailgate.

6K views 63 replies 24 participants last post by  joeydominick 
#1 ·
Just noticed today the metal under the tailgate isn't smooth and has a couple of wavy indentations.

I'm having some issues with my soft top taken care of later this month and want to know if this is reasonable or if I should have them look at possibly repairing, although I'm not really sure what they would be able to do to fix.
 

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#4 ·
Looks like nothing IMO. If it was on mine, I wouldn't worry about a wrinkle in the stamping underneath and behind two different panels, (tailgate & bumper).
 
#5 ·
I didn't notice it at first which means it isn't terribly noticeable but now I can't stop looking at when I walk by. It's not behind the tailgate, it's on the metal portion between the tailgate that swings out and the bumper.
 
#8 ·
I think I'll bring it up when I have my soft top issues fixed later in the month, but I'll be shocked if they do anything about it. I don't even know how they could fix it since it's welded to other pieces of the body.

Also sounds like it isn't just my issue with the poster above saying his has the same issue.

QC on these things are just horrible and below what should be happening. Way too many little issues on expensive vehicles.
 
#17 ·
I fear the repair attempt will be worse than the actual problem. I personally would leave it alone if the paint/clear coat seems intact.
Regarding QC on interior/less visible sheet metal, if you think the wrangler is bad, check out a current generation ford explorer, horrible sheet metal finishes all around the vehicle, seams, inner door panels, etc.
 
#21 ·
You've got to look at a Jeep like an ammo can...It's stamped out of steel and been to be mass produced and rugged. Any other car, it would bother me. A Wrangler...the manufacturing process is part of was gives it the "Jeepness" that we all know and love.
 
#22 ·
When I saw this thread I decided to check my 10 because I never noticed a problem. They must have made them with more attention to detail a few years ago because that piece is perfectly straight and painted, along with the indentations. The large corner indentations are normal. The photo copperhead posted might now be normal, but it doesn't appear like that on mine.
 
#25 ·
Lucky guy!! Mine came straight from the factory with all kinds of oddities I've never seen before on a vehicle. At first it was tough...but after a year I'm really starting to understand the "it's a jeep thing". Little dent/bulge/whatever the hel* that thing is doesn't bother me at all while I'm cruising around with now top and doors off.

Still for the money it would have been nice to not have that but whatever.
 
#23 ·
Historic contenting

It is supposed to be rough and wavy. If you read back through the design study that was done during conceptualization of the JK (realizing it would mark the 75th anniversary), this is part of the "historic contenting" engineered into the vehicle.
Another big one is the water leaks, and the rusting of drivetrain components.
All this and more took a lot of engineering work to incorporate into a modern vehicle.

So if your Jeep has something you don't like, or doesn't work right, you can take comfort knowing that your grandfathers had the same complaints...
 
#24 ·
It is supposed to be rough and wavy. If you read back through the design study that was done during conceptualization of the JK (realizing it would mark the 75th anniversary), this is part of the "historic contenting" engineered into the vehicle.
Another big one is the water leaks, and the rusting of drivetrain components.
All this and more took a lot of engineering work to incorporate into a modern vehicle.

So if your Jeep has something you don't like, or doesn't work right, you can take comfort knowing that your grandfathers had the same complaints...
ROFL!!! :worthy:
 
#29 ·
Mass production...and what is acceptable....

You talk'in about that little strip below the gate and up from the bumper,that runs along the rear gate line and under the spare with the spot welds in the corners. I don't know if there is a difference between a 2 door and 4 door along that strip,but on my 2 door it is dead straight with no creases or ripples in the metal...maybe you have a 4 door and the body is different,so when that part gets stamped,and crimped,some deforming occurs. If others with 4 doors have the same thing then that would be what is happening. As long as there are no splits...well....obviously QC has stamped that off as acceptable.
 
#30 ·
You talk'in about that little strip below the gate and up from the bumper,that runs along the rear gate line and under the spare with the spot welds in the corners. I don't know if there is a difference between a 2 door and 4 door along that strip,but on my 2 door it is dead straight with no creases or ripples in the metal...maybe you have a 4 door and the body is different,so when that part gets stamped,and crimped,some deforming occurs. If others with 4 doors have the same thing then that would be what is happening. As long as there are no splits...well....obviously QC has stamped that off as acceptable.
Mines a 2 door with the whatever that is.
 
#33 ·
It probably comes from a supplier plant that runs several different jobs in the same press line. Different runs will have different issues. Many variables come into play when stamping metal like issues with the press, issues with the die, steel quality, not enough lube, etc.

It probably passed two quality checks. One at the feeder plant where it was stamped and one at the Jeep plant before/after it was welded.
 
#39 ·
My 2014 JKU looks like this too. And so did my 2012 JK.
 
#42 ·
Unless you believe in some sort of God, nothing is perfect. If you look close enough at any new vehicle, you will find flaws.
 
#43 ·
It should not be there, but if it is the only flaw you can find you are ahead of the game. I tried putting door edge guards on the JK and is amazing how far off the opposing outer door skins are when you compare the left to the right side. I would not want any repainting done on a new vehicle for a problem like this. JMHO.
 
#44 ·
Are we sure this is a defect? Sure...it's not pretty but it is in a VERY inconspicuous place. It doesn't affect the functionality of the beast so who cares? There are bigger things to worry about. It seems that there are as many Jeeps with the ripples as there are without them.

I guarandamntee you that if you try to get it fixed, it will end up worse. One thing I've learned in life...if it ain't broke...don't try to fix it!
 
#55 ·
27.
Yukon Gears
Re gear 4.56
Bartact seat covers
37" Micky Thompson
17" ultra rims
River raider skid system
River raider xtra wide epoxy coated fenders
River raider bumpers
River raider rear tire carrier
HID Projector lights
Warn Winch
50" lightbar
14" lightbar
5% window tint
LUX rock lights
custom dash LED lights
Custom under dash LED
Custom rear LED cargo lights
Custom grill insert
Custom grill LED lighting
Adams 1350 driveshafts
River Raider Custom Hood
River Raider Military Snorkel
Pioneer 8100 head unit
Quadratic full floor mats
Mopar Big Brake Kit
Custom LED outside lighting
3.5" Rock Krawler Mid Arm Lift
Rock Krawler Bump Stop Extenders
Bilatein 5100 Shocks

And whatever labor was involved
 
#57 ·
27. Yukon Gears Re gear 4.56 Bartact seat covers 37" Micky Thompson 17" ultra rims River raider skid system River raider xtra wide epoxy coated fenders River raider bumpers River raider rear tire carrier HID Projector lights Warn Winch 50" lightbar 14" lightbar 5% window tint LUX rock lights custom dash LED lights Custom under dash LED Custom rear LED cargo lights Custom grill insert Custom grill LED lighting Adams 1350 driveshafts River Raider Custom Hood River Raider Military Snorkel Pioneer 8100 head unit Quadratic full floor mats Mopar Big Brake Kit Custom LED outside lighting 3.5" Rock Krawler Mid Arm Lift Rock Krawler Bump Stop Extenders Bilatein 5100 Shocks And whatever labor was involved
Damn. That's a pretty long list! Anymore pictures?
 
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