{"product_id":"jp-group-complete-tailgate-rear-hatch-small-lock-vanagon-1980-1983","title":"JP Group Complete Tailgate (Rear Hatch), Small Lock Version | VW Vanagon 1980–1983 | Steel, Panel Ref 955770-0A (JP-3178-0)","description":"\u003ch2\u003eJP Group Complete Tailgate (Rear Hatch), Small Lock Version — VW Vanagon 1980–1983 (JP-3178-0)\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eShort answer:\u003c\/strong\u003e JP Group JP-3178-0 is a new, complete steel tailgate (rear hatch) shell for the early VW Vanagon with the small rear-hatch lock. EMPI lists it for 1980–1983 US Vanagons; JP Group describes it as 1979–1984 T3. Panel reference 955770-0A (JP Group 1180200100). It is a bare shell, sold each, and ships oversize.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePart numbers:\u003c\/strong\u003e JP-3178-0 · panel ref 955770-0A · JP Group 1180200100 · UPC 707924541922.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFitment\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eYears\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eVehicle\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eNotes\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1980–1983\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eVW Vanagon (US), air-cooled and early water-cooled, small-lock tailgate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePer EMPI (\"Rear, small lock version\")\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1979–1984\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eVW T3 \/ T25 Transporter (ROW), small-lock tailgate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePer JP Group\/EMPI product name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1984–1991\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eVW Vanagon with the later large tailgate lock\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDoes not fit as-is\u003c\/strong\u003e — the lock opening differs. \u003cem\u003eFitment to confirm\u003c\/em\u003e on transition-year 1984 vans.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAny\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWestfalia and pop-top campers\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eFitment to confirm\u003c\/em\u003e — same body tailgate, but check any camper-specific trim or rack mounts\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1968–1979\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eVW Bus (Bay Window)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes not fit\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSpec\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDetail\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBrand\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eJP Group (Denmark), distributed by EMPI\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePart number\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eJP-3178-0\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePanel reference\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e955770-0A\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eJP Group reference\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1180200100\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUPC\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e707924541922\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaterial\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSteel, complete tailgate shell\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLock version\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSmall lock (early)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWeight (EMPI)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e35.2 lb\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePackage (EMPI)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e67 x 47 x 9 in (oversize \/ freight)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSold as\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEach\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat's Included\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\u003cli\u003eOne complete steel tailgate shell.\u003c\/li\u003e\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eNot Included\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRear window glass (heated glass: JP-1341-0) and window seal\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLock, handle, lock cylinder and striker\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHinges, hinge seals and gas struts\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInterior trim panel, license plate light and wiper motor (JP-1554-0)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTailgate perimeter seal\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePaint\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy It Matters\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVanagon tailgates rust from the inside out. Water gets past the window seal and the lock, sits in the bottom of the hatch and rots the lower edge, the drain holes and the area around the lock and license light. By the time bubbles show through the paint, the inner frame is often gone too. Repair panels (such as JP-1280-0) cover the lower skin, but when the frame and window channel are also rotten, a complete new shell is faster and stronger than rebuilding the old one. Good used early small-lock tailgates are getting scarce, and most have the same rust.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eInstallation Notes\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTest-fit the bare shell on the hinges before paint. Check the gaps to the roof, sides and bumper, and that the lock engages the striker.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePrime, seal and paint inside and out, and apply cavity wax inside the frame before you install any hardware.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTransfer or replace the glass, seals, lock, handle, struts and trim. New window and perimeter seals are strongly recommended.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAdjust at the hinges and the striker so the hatch closes without slamming and seals evenly.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThis is a two-person job. The shell is large and the gas struts must be supported during fitting.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes this fit my 1982 Vanagon?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes, if it has the original small tailgate lock. EMPI lists JP-3178-0 for 1980–1983 Vanagons.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSmall lock or large lock — how do I tell?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEarly vans have a small lock cylinder and handle under the rear window. Later vans (about mid-1984 on) use a larger lock assembly with a bigger opening. Compare the lock opening on your hatch with the product photo.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it a genuine VW part?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo. It is a new JP Group replacement tailgate. 955770-0A is the JP\/EMPI panel reference, not a VW OE number.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat else do I need?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGlass, seals, lock and handle, struts and trim from your old hatch or new. Plan on paint before assembly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes it come painted?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo. It must be prepared and painted to match your van.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it new?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes, a new JP Group tailgate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow does it ship?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe carton is 67 x 47 x 9 inches, so it ships oversize or by freight.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eExplore Related Categories\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/vw-vanagon\"\u003eVW Vanagon Parts\u003c\/a\u003e \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/body-panels\"\u003eBody Panels \u0026amp; Sheet Metal\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003csmall\u003e\u003cb\u003eCalifornia Prop 65 Warning:\u003c\/b\u003e This product can expose you to chemicals including lead and\/or lead compounds, which are known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information, visit \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.p65warnings.ca.gov\/\"\u003ewww.P65Warnings.ca.gov\u003c\/a\u003e. Legal for use on pre-pollution-controlled vehicles only.\u003c\/small\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"JP Group","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67100786884723,"sku":"JP-3178-0","price":1231.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0278\/2760\/1523\/files\/JP-3178-0.jpg?v=1793697040","url":"https:\/\/www.washburnsmetal.com\/products\/jp-group-complete-tailgate-rear-hatch-small-lock-vanagon-1980-1983","provider":"Washburn's Metal","version":"1.0","type":"link"}