1978 Wagoneer modified for a 1983 tailgate and latch:

1979 or prior hinges will need to be swapped onto the 1980 or later tailgate for the correct hole pattern where the hinge mounts to the body.

After 1979 the tailgate latch assembly changed on Wagoneers and Cherokees, both at the side of the body and at the side of the tailgate. The latches on the side of the tailgate are not interchangeable, but the side of the body can be modified to fit later model latch pins and switch pin for the glass motor.

  1. Note the bodyline, or crease, from which to measure your 2" distance to the pilot hole for the latch pin. Do not drill the pilot yet.

    2. -Passenger side of body

  2. Note that the nut plate inside the body floats. Before you drill the pilot hole or attempt to move the nut plate you will need to drill a hole approximately ½" through the side of the body in such a manner that it will cut through the side of the box inside of the body which holds the floating nut plate in place. You will want to drill that hole positioned to the left so that it severs that box directly under the segment separating the two square holes above.
  3. Having severed the box wall for about ½ " will enable you to next drive the floating nut plate down in the box with a punch through one of the square holes above. Remove any burrs created with needle nose pliers.
  4. Drill out the upper and rear most nut plate hole (5/16" drill) to tap for the latch pin (3/8 X 16 NC thread)
  5. With the nut plate located as far forward in the box the latch pin hole should be about centered for the 2" distance from the edge of the body at the appropriate crease. You will have to file or grind the ½" hole to the rear in order to be able to screw the latch pin into the threads and maintain the 2" center.

    6.  

    -Now you have a floating late model latch pin.

  6. Drill the driver’s side in the same fashion and then locate the pilot hole for the pin that the rear window raiser switch locates against (#7 drill, ¼"X20 NC thread).

  7. If you wish to cover the entire converted area there are plastic covers on some later models that would cover that whole side of body area which would conceal the open holes left by the conversion.

-Plastic covers