Caddy with tailgate instead of barn doors

[Yeti]

They're not great if you carry stuff on the roof. If your ladders overhang the back, the door can hit it when it opens, and it stops you opening the back and standing on the step to tie your roof rack down.

I used to have a transit with a lift up tailgate. The main problems I found were that I couldn't load it with a forklift and the tailgate didn't clear the jockey wheel on the trailer, so I couldn't open the back properly with the trailer hitched up.

[CaddycamperR]

Yes. Needs extra reinforcements in the roof but all available from VW.

Has anyone done a conversion from barn doors too tailgate?

Do you have a list of parts that would be needed by any chance?

[dan@biali]

I have had it done by Reflex. Don't know the exact parts list as it was done as part of the project. I know there's a roof strengthening piece and something else as well which I think was a reinforcement, plus obviously the tailgate/glass/handle/wiring. The parts list would be available from your local VW parts dept. and you could even take in a number plate from a caddy with a tailgate as it will highlight in etka the actual pieces. TPS might not be as useful. I do know its not cheap!

[mark1a]

First question I asked on here actually - and glad I got a tailgate in the end.

[dan@biali]

To update this having spoken to Reflex about the conversion from barn doors to tailgate today, its NOT as easy a job as I first thought but quite a serious amount of work. Christian even went as far to say that its more in depth than the body side/sliding door delete and the numbers he quotes to do it are

[cadet88]

I'd keep the barn doors if I were you. I have the tailgate on my Caddy Maxi, and I've found it to be inconvenient in tight spaces like some parking lots and my own garage. It's just so long and opens up too high.

[WantOnsKan]

I've got a tailgate on my Caddy Maxi and I'm almost 2m tall, the tailgate opens high enough for passing under without bumping my head.

Only problem is that it requires some space behind it and opens up quite higher than the roof.

When opening the tailgate in my garage, I use a thick square sponge between the tailgate and the garage wall.

[Caddy bridge]

I think that’s the only negative really I’m warming to mine now s

[Cleg-vr6]

Ideal shelter from the rain having a bootlid rather than barn doors.
Bit of a pain with a ladder on the roof tho as it can foul the boot if it over hangs. Could put the back window out if you forget somethings on there and open it real quick

[phil]

you can always get the ladder flap also

[kona75]

Has anybody got part numbers for new caddy tailgate 2016 onwards for lock mechanisms and handle , also the high level brake light as I don’t have parts program many thanks for help

[Gresley]

Click carprog2

Navigate to diagram 827-000 in 'body' section of relevant caddy year.

The high level light is in 'electrical systems' diagram 945-010

https://ifinterface.com/page/page3.php?langid=1

[dan@biali]

A little more info about doing the conversion, there are 2 wiring looms at the back of the Caddy that need adding, a small loom in the tailgate and then 2 ends of one of the main looms need to be repinned. Its taken some Doc skill to work this out plus Matt at Reflex.

[Dhallett1]

I’m also interested in this conversion.
Is there just 1x strengthening bar that needs fitting to get the tailgate swinging and is this a bolt on part available from Vw or is there welding needed?
Obviuosly there’s the re-location of the latch and removal of the side hinges for the barn doors so is there holes left over that need filling an painting?

Sorry for all the questions, if anyone who has done this before could help out it would be great?

I have barn doors with solid panels and safety grills riveted on the inside with no rear wiper so if anyone who is interested in a swap for their tailgate then let me know...

[kona75]

Once you get into the carprog2 how do you navigate and do you need to subscribe? Any help would be great thanks