Tailgates -New- what say ye?
 

hey all I am close to finishing my truck project but the tailgate is a real pain. it is a 68 fleet Chevy. It is of course bowed but has some dents arond the letters I am having a real hard time with. I have heard the new ones are not as sturdy as the originals but I am not concerned with that. Otherwise how are they? I dont want one that is not straight around the letters I already have one of those. Is there only one brand "goodmark"
I really hated to spend 300 plus on one but am about ready to.
Thanks
Dave

any thoughts?

When I re-built my truck 5 years ago I purchased a new aftermarket tailgate made over sea's. I bent it in less than a week and the fit and finish sucked.... I went back to the place I purchased it and bought a new/old stock OEM tail gate for twice what I paid for the aftermarket and never regretted it. Find a OEM tail gate IMO.

the only bad things i have heard about the repops is that a 200lb man really cant stand on em without bowing them much less pick something up and stand on it.other than that i dont know i personally havent installed or used one much less stood on one

Over the past few years, the quality of the tailgates from Tiwan have improved to the point that it is difficult to find a difference between OEM and aftermarket. The only thing I have found is the OEM is spot welded on the center recess above the letter section while the repops aren't. The new repops weigh about the same and seem about as strong. If you are covering with a letter band, you could go with a "non lettered" gate and save some bucks. GM NOS can run upwards of $4-500. Repops--unlettered=$200. and lettered= $300. + ship.