Smittybilt5662301 G.E.A.R. Black Tailgate Cover for Jeep Wrangler

First, it took me some convincing to drill holes in my bran new 2014 Rubicon unlimited X in order to install this product. I think there must be better ways to install this type of product without having to drill. I just have no idea how. Second, no matter how hard I stretched the molle I could not get it 100% perfect and flat. Im extremely picky about perfection and for the most part I am 90% satisified with the way it came out. So good enough. Third, why did Smittybilt provide silver looking screws? They look retarded. Once installed the screws literally make you focus on whether they are aligned properly and its the first thing I see. It just looks messy and doesnt blend properly. So I changed the screws out and put black ones in of a much better quality. But the thing that eeked me the most and the reason for the four stars is those crappy bags they provided. The large one is so cheap and flimsy that the molle ripped the moment I installed it to the tailgate. The small one is a very cheap copy of the maxpedition proteus, without the belt to go around your waist. The outside of the bags fool you into thinking you have something of quality. Then when you open the bags you realize what a cheap piece of garbage they really are. It's simply cheap thin plastic and not very durable. If you have any experience with molle pouches, you will realize quickly that these will not stand up to the test of time or any type of abuse. I hate the bags so much. I wish they just sold the molle for the tailgate with no bags at all. The cost would be cheaper. But then quality bags will run that cost up on you. But I'd rather have quality than cheap garbage that breaks with the slightest touch. Since the molle on the large bag ripped I have since been concerned about the stability of the molle backing attached to the tailgate. How long before this stuff tears and falls apart? How gentle do i need to be with it? How many times can I install and remove a molle attachement before it tears? Only time will tell. I just hope the tailgate attachement lasts longer than the bags. I will process a return and swap out the bags. But to be honest, Im looking for something made of better quality. Maxpedition, 511, voodoo, or even condor is a better quality than these bags. I just hope the actual tailgate webbing holds up over time. If it doesnt, I will make my own next time. And finally the tailgate hinge issue. This one kind of erks me. How hard is it to have premade holes in the molle attachement so we don't have to cut the molle ourselves? Seriously. Just an annoyance. Overall it's a great idea for a product. I do love its functionality. I just wish the materials were of better quality and it was better fitted to the vehicle. For a Smittybilt product I do expect better. Still, not bad for the price I guess.

I just installed this item today. I had very little trouble with the installation. Many people have been having trouble with stripped screws. I don't know if anything has changed but the screws worked just fine per the instructions. I drilled the holes as suggested; with the concern over stripping screws I was especially careful about not trying to drive the screws in too quickly. These fasteners have a leading edge that opens the hole to the correct size needed to get the threads going, you just have to go slow. I used quite a bit of pressure on the drill motor into the screw but kept the drill speed very low. Also, it is best to drive the screws in the last little bit with a standard screw driver because the drill motor can quickly go from tight to stripped. They all went in no problem.For each of the holes I first drove the screw in then removed it, placed a small amount of touch up paint in the holes, and again drove the screw in. This worked very well. My only suggestion would be to leave the mat that attaches to the tailgate in the sun for a while to heat it up. When I started the mat was still cold but I thought it would be fine to just stretch it out good during installation. I installed the top left and top right screws this way and it came out nice and tight. I then had to take care of something else, when I came back it had heated up in the Jeep sitting in the sun and had actually gotten a little loose. Luckily I was able to stretch it out enough to move one of the screw holes. After that everything went quite smoothly.I'm happy with the product it is a good storage solution.

Ok jeepers detailed review alert! I have a 2014 jku. The product fit on my jeep great! It had a warped look to it out of the box but as long as you pull tight and drill a hole as far from the last home it flattens out and looks good. I started my screw where the tailgate hinge is and went from there. I am putting my recovery gear in the bags. My tree saver strap fit in the larger bag along with a couple extra d rings , winch controller glove and winch controller and gloves in smaller bag. For the money it seems like good quality bags and backing. The molle straps on bag were a snug fit like they should be. I wouldn’t plan on putting a lot of heavy items in the included bags or attached to the molle backing.THE BIGGEST THING TO CONSIDER—- if you have a factory subwoofer in the back of you jeep like I do, this will interfere with some of your molle storage space. You can see what I mean in my picture, I mounted the larger bag as close to the sub as I could, only lost a couple of inches. But I would still buy it again. I made the mistake once of putting all my recovery gear in the hidden floor compartment in the back of the Jeep. When I needed it once I had to move a very large very heavy cooler and a lot of camping gear and food just to get to everything, so these bags will keep that from happening to me ever again I hope. DO NOT STORE YOUR RECOVERY GEAR UNDER TRUCK HIDDEN COMPARTMENT UNDER THE FLOOR MAT.

Las bolsas y la base se sienten de material resistente y bien confeccionado, traen distintos compartimientos para almacenar todo tipo de herramientas o accesorios, además de que tienenagarraderas y correas de hombro o cintura por si se necesita portar con las bolsas. En general estoy satisfecho con el producto.

Before continuing, other people have complained that they have received the wrong item because it was rectangular, and 'uncut' as shown in the photo. There is a slight misconception;Mine came uncut as well, but in the description/installation instructions it shows that the model that is rectangular and uncut is for the 07-11 (and beyond) JK's. The JK's shouldn't have extra pieces on the tailgate like it is shown in the photo of this product.Yes, it's a bit misleading, but for the JK's it SHOULD be rectangular.I just finished installing the product on my 2014 Sport Unlimited, and it's perfect! It fit's perfectly, it looks great, and the materials are very sturdy! I'm definitely going to be purchasing more from Smittybilt and their G.E.A.R products.I had one very slight issue. I decided to drill in the first few screws - that are self-tapping, mind you - and one of the tips (the tapping part) broke off. Fortunately, Smittybilt planned ahead and had thrown in an extra screw for just such an occasion. I managed to get the tip out of the door with no extra damage to the tailgate and used what they had recommended (a drill bit) to finish off the hole, THEN I used the extra screw to finish it off, and it holds-in great!So my only issue was caused by not following the instructions, rather than the product itself. 5/5!

Love this piece of kit. Got my first aid kit and a mini tool kit in it. Few other personal stuff too. It definitely adds that look for the buddies goin for the military feel. I would like to give this 5 stars but that drilling into the door panel is pretty annoying. Not because its hard because its not its super easy. Because you have to drill into it in the first place. I understand why but still anything that requires that is kind of annoying especially when i go to sell the jeep and those holes are there. Besides that really useful, very steady, very nice looking. Definitely worth the purchase.

Was a gift from daughter for my 2007 JK Jeep. JK version is rectangular and does not have or need cut-outs as shown in picture. As usual, consult the manufacturer's web site for correct model # for your vehicle as Amazon incorrectly said it did not match my Jeep. Tailgate cover installed nicely in about 20 minutes and fit perfectly. Instructions recommend 7/64th pilot holes but I used 1/8th as smaller size led to stripping of self tapping screws. Very easy job and fit perfectly. Removable storage bags have shoulder straps and go on/come off the cover easily. Lots of compartments for do-dads, tools etc. All parts very well built. If you mount a bag on the very far end of the passenger side it tends to bump into the speaker on my vehicle. Not an essential item but one that provides easy access to your frequently used smaller tools and toys. P.S. to earlier reviewer: drilling a few holes is not going to void any warranty!

Easy to install and great to store sunglasses etc when leaving the vehicle. I have a security gate so it’s safe and tucked away. If you don’t it would be very easy to steal. I’d suggest only buying if you have the security gate that covers the back part of the Jeep