Tailgate ?
 

Has anyone used a new tailgate made by AMD? I need a new one and I want a good one. I got one a couple years ago that was the worst thing ever, wrong in every way and 3/8 inch too wide. Just don't know what brands to trust. Thanks.

Re: Tailgate ?
 

You want a good quality made in USA get it from here.....
http://www.mar-k.com/

Re: Tailgate ?
 

X2 on Mar-K. Bought one and it's excellent. 55 2nd.

Re: Tailgate ?
 

I've always heard good things about MAR-K, but I'll also add a recommendation to get bed parts from Bruce Horkey. Got a new bed from him and the parts were excellent. He also did my custom bed wood and it turned out amazing. I visited his shop and saw the personal care he puts into his work and I was very happy to give him my business after meeting him.

Re: Tailgate ?
 

My truck came with a repop from Classic Ind. # 100630, with link set # 102835 installed. It is drilled for the latch set #100265. It fit like it was supposed to - here is a pic of the CI tailgate.

I have a straight original that I am going to use.

Re: Tailgate ?
 

Mar-k !!!

Re: Tailgate ?
 

Does anyone know who makes the Made in USA tailgate that Classic Parts of America sells?

Re: Tailgate ?
 

A little over a year ago I ordered the USA tailgate from them, it was a Mar-K tailgate.
Just as straight and square as I could have hoped for.
Jim

Re: Tailgate ?
 

I've been around the block over the years with several trucks and used a number of suppliers. Sorry , you just can't beat Mar-K. Their tailgates are genuine GM restoration parts.

Re: Tailgate ?
 

I bought the Mar-k tailgate. It looks great, but it will not fit. I loosened the bolts from bed side to tail panel and didnt help. How wide should the tailgate be? It looks like it is 1/16 inch too wide. Thanks.

Re: Tailgate ?
 

Since I was a responder on this thread, I went out and measured. My Mar-K tailgate measures exactly 50 7/8 inchers and fits perfectly. On these old trucks, a sixteenth is nothing. There has to be some adjustment that will make it right. I assembled my bed from all new parts but it's been so long I don't remember where the wiggle room is.

Re: Tailgate ?
 

It is about 1/16 wider than the opening. There should be a little room on each side so it doesnt rub, so maybe 3/16 total. Also this is bare metal, no primer and paint buildup yet. I will spread the bed wider, but will need to oval out the holes.

Re: Tailgate ?
 

The tailgates from 55-87 stepsides are the same width, measure your bed in a X pattern to see if any damage caused it to be out of square. put shims between the tailgate and bedsides before you tighten it down and re-measure in X pattern it will help you two ways correct spacing and allow easier install with bed wood and metal bed strips.....Good Luck
:ito:

Re: Tailgate ?
 

Got it working great. P.O. welded the back tail panel to the bed sides. It was square, but bed was too narow. I got it with no tailgate.

Re: Tailgate ?
 

I built a 55 second series about 5 years ago. I used a mar-k bed and was able to buy a scripted tailgate from the chevy dealer. same part number for step side from second series 55 to 87.fit like a glove. I think it was priced pretty decent to.