Another “Dutch Brainstorm”—a rear utility panel with a plug for trailer wiring, another air compressor outlet, and a 12V outlet.

Here’s what we started with - the original pintle hook mount at the rear crossmember.  Since I’ll be mounting a later Jeep rear-mounted gas tank the pintle hook/drawbar supports that “V” into this spot need to go.

The first step was to grind off the center rivet and spot welds on the outside of this piece:

Then I had to hack off a part of the practically new exhaust.  It ran right through where the gas tank will go and will have to be re-routed.

Now the “V” supports can be cutout:

Which leaves us with a trapezoidal-shaped hole above the rear crossmember and bumper.  On Dutch this is where I used to tuck my trailer wiring harness in, and always thought it would be nice to have a flush-mounted plug in a filler plate in that spot.  Now was the time to create it, as once the bumper and gas tank are on this spot is mostly inaccessible.

A couple hours of cutting, drilling, and sandblasting netted us this - the filler plate for that spot.  The angle iron will sit on top of the crossmember and the ends will be spotwelded to add support.  Using thicker metal for the filler plate would probably negate the need for the supports, but it’s what I had on hand.

Here’s the rear crossmember all cleaned up.  I’m now a big fan of flap disks…

The plate welded on.  I just welded on the sides, leaving the bottom open in hopes of allowing moisture to drain out.  I also painted the backside before welding.

A close-up of the fittings in place.  Note that before I finished this I traded out the cheapie 12v plug for a nice $11 stainless version available at a marine shop.  It has a faceplate to it, a threaded 12V connection, a seperate ground wire.

Here’s how the filler panel looks now.  To use the air I’ll have to open the tire carrier (see next pic), but the other two will be usable with it shut:

There’s about 1” between the closed tire carrier and air outlet.  Maybe this will help keep it clean....but I do intend to use a rubber tip from a cane to cover it, as suggested on the EarlyCJ5 site.

It’s “stealthy” - with the tire carrier shut, you hardly notice the filler plate.