Jeep JK Security Tailgate Enclosure by Tuffy

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Jeep JK Security Tailgate Enclosure by TuffyOne of the best aspects of owning a Jeep is the ability to drive topless and doorless. The only downside of topless driving is the fact that anything stored in the “trunk” space behind the rear seat is visible and easily accessible. For the last few years, every time I would take the top down, while using my Jeep for daily driving, I would also remove my tool bag and recovery gear form my Jeep and leave it in the garage. I felt that it is not secure in my trunk and it’s way too valuable to risk having it stolen. I finally decided to look into securing the cargo area while driving topless. I did some research looking for a Jeep JK security tailgate enclosure and it seems like there’s two products available that provide exactly what I was looking for. One of them is the Tuffy Security Products Tailgate Security Enclosure and the other is the Bestop Instatrunk.

Both these tailgate security enclosures are simple but solid designs made out of 16-gauge steel, that create a lockable storage trunk completely protected on all sides. They work in conjunction with the lockable vehicle tailgate to secure the trunk area created. Both these enclosures maintain the use and function of the rear seat in 2-door models. The installation is quick and easy using standard hand tools in both 2 and 4 door Jeep models with an OEM hardtop or soft top. Both these products mount to the floor of the Jeep from the inside of the trunk. The enclosures work in vehicles equipped with or without the subwoofer.
 
There are several options of these enclosures, depending on the year and model of your Jeep:

– Tuffy 297-01 Tailgate Enclosure for 87′-95′ Jeep Wrangler YJ

– Tuffy 296-01 Tailgate Enclosure for 97′-06′ Jeep Wrangler TJ

– Tuffy 286-01 Tailgate Enclosure for 07′-10′ Jeep Wrangler JK 2 door

– Tuffy 310-01 Tailgate Enclosure for 07′-10′ Jeep Wrangler JK 4 door

– Tuffy 282-01 Tailgate Enclosure for 11′-17′ Jeep Wrangler JK 2 door

– Tuffy 299-01 Tailgate Enclosure for 11′-17′ Jeep Wrangler JK 4 door

– Bestop 42700-01 Instatrunk for 87′-95′ Jeep Wrangler YJ

– Bestop 42701-01 Instatrunk for 97′-06′ Jeep Wrangler TJ

– Bestop 42702-01 Instatrunk for 07′-10′ Jeep Wrangler JK 2 door or 4 door (without factory subwoofer)

– Bestop 42637-01 Instatrunk for 07′-10′ Jeep Wrangler JK 2 door or 4 door (with factory subwoofer)

– Bestop 42704-01 Instatrunk for 11′-17′ Jeep Wrangler JK 2 door or 4 door

 


I decided to purchase the Tuffy Tailgate Security Enclosure for my 2-door 2012 JK, after researching for several days and reading all the reviews that I could find. I pulled the trigger and few days later I got the box delivered to my front door.
 
Here is the installation process and my initial impression of the product:

When I opened the box, I found the tailgate enclosure folded up and protected by several styrofoam pieces. It seemed secure and there were no scratches or dents anywhere. It was however quite dusty, so before installing it, I cleaned it with a wet shop towel. It is a one-piece hinged design and you need to simply swing it open before installing it.

Jeep JK Security Tailgate Enclosure by Tuffy

 

The tailgate enclosure comes with an installation guide, however there is no written instructions, only four pictures. It does give you a general idea about what goes where, but more detail description would be helpful.

Jeep JK Security Tailgate Enclosure by Tuffy

 

Upon closer inspection while cleaning it, I realized that the protective edge trim on the driver side of the top panel of the enclosure was missing. While not cool, it was not a big deal for me since I had some leftover automotive edge trim which was exactly what was needed here. I eyeballed about 12″ of the edge trim, applied it to the edge of the top panel and cut off the excess. You do want to inspect the product before installing it to avoid scratching up plastic panels of your Jeep while installing the enclosure. The edges of the steel panels are pretty sharp.

Jeep JK Security Tailgate Enclosure by Tuffy

 

The tailgate enclosure will be bolted down to the floor of the Jeep using the two rear cargo loop bolts. The back panel of the enclosure will be parallel to the back of the rear seat and the top panel will sit just a few inches above the subwoofer.

Jeep JK Security Tailgate Enclosure by Tuffy

 

Using a T-30 Torx driver, remove two cargo loop bolts that are located next to the rear loops.

Jeep JK Security Tailgate Enclosure by Tuffy

 

Fold down the rear seat to give yourself more room.

Jeep JK Security Tailgate Enclosure by Tuffy

 

Start the installation by positioning the top panel along the line of the tailgate. Tip the rear edge of the top panel downward and position the rear outboard tabs under the lip on the top of the Jeep body. Swing open the back panel as wide as you can and slowly lower the back panel toward the floor of the Jeep.

Jeep JK Security Tailgate Enclosure by Tuffy

 

It is a tight fit, which is intentional, so it is necessary to use some force to lower the back panel of the enclosure all the way down, until the rearward pointing mounting flanges touch the floor of the Jeep, just in front of the plastic cargo side panels (and subwoofer if so equipped).

Jeep JK Security Tailgate Enclosure by Tuffy

 

Lift the plastic side panels up slightly with a flat head screwdriver and slide the mounting flanges under the plastic panels. Line up the slots in the panel mounting flanges with the cargo loop bolt holes.

Jeep JK Security Tailgate Enclosure by Tuffy

 

Reinstall the two cargo loops and bolts using a socket wrench.

Jeep JK Security Tailgate Enclosure by Tuffy

 

That is it! Installation of the new tailgate enclosure is done. Raise the rear seat and return it to the upright position. The tailgate enclosure should fit tightly behind the back of the rear seat, with barely enough room to fit your fingers.

Jeep JK Security Tailgate Enclosure by Tuffy

 

One thing that is very important to me is the fact that the Tuffy tailgate enclosure does not interfere with the Springtail Solutions JK Rear Door Folding Tray/MOLLE Panel I have installed on my tailgate. The folding table fits perfectly under the top panel of the enclosure!

Jeep JK Security Tailgate Enclosure by Tuffy

 

The Tuffy Security Tailgate Enclosure has a great clean look and with solid, quality materials, it serves it’s intended purpose very well. It creates a real, secure trunk for my topless Jeep, which allows me to carry my recovery gear and tools at ALL times.

Jeep JK Security Tailgate Enclosure by Tuffy

 

With the tailgate enclosure installed you obviously loose the ability to carry really tall items in the trunk, but for me that’s not a problem. The depth of the area protected by the enclosure is about 10″ and the height is 15″.

Jeep JK Security Tailgate Enclosure by Tuffy

 

When you need to carry larger items, you can always just fold the back seat, which gives you a 16″ x 44″ additional area.

Jeep JK Security Tailgate Enclosure by Tuffy

 

I’ve had the Tuffy Security Tailgate Enclosure installed on my 2-door JK for several weeks now and I’m really happy with it. It serves it’s purpose very well and I haven’t had any problems with it. I like the fact that when I need to use the trunk for groceries once in a while, I can use the upper panel as a temporary shelf for my bags while I arrange everything in the very limited 2-door JK trunk space.
I have not had anything become loose or broken. There’s no rattles. I believe this enclosure will serve me well for a long time.

 

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November 24, 2017 |

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