tailgate road trip - mission accomplished - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

sactoC10 · 09-26-2004, 05:20 PM

Who says that Hondas are not good for anything? Just did a 1K mile road trip (500 down, 500 up) in my wife's Accord to southern Los Angeles to get my tailgate from the PO who happens to also be the ORIGINAL owner. Wow, this OLD guy loves his truck(s)!

We pulled up to find a 1961 (yes sixty-one) in the driveway of his home, which he says was "getting old" and that is why he bought the 1971, both from the same dealer in San Bernadino. The 1961 is also in GREAT SHAPE, original interior, one minor ding in the hood, no RUST, perfectly straight sheet metal... simply amazing.

This guy is 90+ year old, has had a few strokes, can barely talk, yet spoke clearly enough to let me know that the 61 still runs! Guess I wouldn't expect anything less from a retired US Air Force surplus worker who used to dismantle our flying fighter planes.

Anyway, gate was in GREAT shape, been resting upright in his garage (after having been painted) for 15-20 years. He'd bolted a sheet of plywood to the back side of it, so there will be a few holes when I remove that...but I expect the underside will be in excellent shape too.

Took pics, will post them when I can!

**Canadian694x4** · 09-26-2004, 06:32 PM

Man, that's great that you were able get the original gate back. Post Pics when you can, I love road trip pics

Longhorn Man · 09-26-2004, 07:00 PM

Those "I forgot the tailgate was up in the rafters in the barn" Stories kick ass.

FirstGen · 09-26-2004, 07:08 PM

1000 miles for a tail gate? You are way more determined than I am!
Nice job!

FRENCHBLUE72 · 09-26-2004, 07:50 PM

I did 2 bumper's in a honda civic for 400 mile's...... The gas economy is great in those little car's....

sactoC10 · 09-26-2004, 10:08 PM

Yep, 1K miles for a tailgate...but only because my truck was in such good shape to begin with, I had a hunch that this one would look almost good as new. Also, getting someone to match the paint (80's yellow) on the "other" gate I bought would have cost the same or more, not to mention the body work that would have been involved.

And seriously, there is not one ding in the aluminum trim, the back side was preserved by the wood and the outside looks like it was painted yesterday. Now I'll have to do more buffing polishing on the rest of the truck so it will match the tailgate!

sactoC10 · 09-28-2004, 03:22 PM

Just as I suspected! Removed the piece of wood from the tailgate and underneath...

UNBLEMISHED and UNSCRATCHED brand new (ugly pee yellow) factory paint! Got out the polish and cleaner, went to work on it. Very nice...in fact too nice... I'll have to find a suitable cover myself to put back over it.

Now, to get some late model tailgate CABLES and get rid of those heavy factory hinged metal strap thingies...

GM SUV or something? What has CABLES for the tailgate these days, full size?

Joe67 · 09-28-2004, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sactoC10

GM SUV or something? What has CABLES for the tailgate these days, full size?

Cool story

IMO - avoid the tailgate 'cables'. I'm on my third set of GM cables on my 2000 GMC. I had to put silicone in the exposed in of this recent set to help avoid the 'rust through and break' syndrome...

Longhorn Man · 09-28-2004, 04:03 PM

I agree, the cables don't last long at all, and they seem cheesey to me. The metal straps will probably last another 30 years before needing replaced.

sactoC10 · 09-28-2004, 04:14 PM

Well... then what can be done to keep the factory hinges from banging up inside of the truck? I agree that they do work well, just thought that the cables with the protective coating would be better on the paint.

HMMM, time to consider ALL the options.

*ILIVE4TRUCKS* · 09-29-2004, 10:32 AM

You drove too far for that tailgate! I have one for $250 just 300 miles from you.

sactoC10 · 09-29-2004, 11:55 AM

not so sure...is yours the original that came with the truck, ding free, ther right color, and look like this one, for free?

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php3?t=121394

09-26-2004, 05:20 PM	#1
sactoC10 71 DELUX Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Northern CA / Sac Posts: 1,055	tailgate road trip - mission accomplished Who says that Hondas are not good for anything? Just did a 1K mile road trip (500 down, 500 up) in my wife's Accord to southern Los Angeles to get my tailgate from the PO who happens to also be the ORIGINAL owner. Wow, this OLD guy loves his truck(s)! We pulled up to find a 1961 (yes sixty-one) in the driveway of his home, which he says was "getting old" and that is why he bought the 1971, both from the same dealer in San Bernadino. The 1961 is also in GREAT SHAPE, original interior, one minor ding in the hood, no RUST, perfectly straight sheet metal... simply amazing. This guy is 90+ year old, has had a few strokes, can barely talk, yet spoke clearly enough to let me know that the 61 still runs! Guess I wouldn't expect anything less from a retired US Air Force surplus worker who used to dismantle our flying fighter planes. Anyway, gate was in GREAT shape, been resting upright in his garage (after having been painted) for 15-20 years. He'd bolted a sheet of plywood to the back side of it, so there will be a few holes when I remove that...but I expect the underside will be in excellent shape too. Took pics, will post them when I can! __________________ 5/4 drop LWB wood bed - 15x8 front 235/60 - 15x10 rear 295/50 2003 FORD Escape 1998 Honda VTR1000

09-26-2004, 06:32 PM	#2
Canadian694x4 Born To Lose Club Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Calgary, Alberta/Oxenden, Ontario, Great White North Posts: 13,307	Man, that's great that you were able get the original gate back. Post Pics when you can, I love road trip pics __________________ Brian Smith - "Born To Lose" 1969 Chevrolet K10 LWB Fleetside - Proud Owner For 22 Yrs - 1 of 208 Built & Sold In Canada!- 283 V8/350TH/NP208, 2" All Spring Lift, 32" Good Year MT/R's. 1972 GMC K2500 Custom LWB Fleetside - Proud Owner For 3 Yrs - 1 of 571 Built & Sold In Canada! - 350 V8/SM465/NP205, 4” Rough Country Lift, 33” Interco TSL Thornbirds 2007.5 GMC Sierra SLE 2500HD 4x4 - Proud Owner For 17 Yrs- 6.6L V8 Duramax Diesel/Allison 1000, 2" Lift, 33" Mickey Thompson MTZ's. 2008 Yamaha Raptor 700r - Proud Owner For 15 Yrs - ITP Mud Lites. 2015 John Deere 1025R - Proud Owner For 8 Yrs - 24HP Diesel/H120/54D/260B/SB1154.

09-26-2004, 07:08 PM	#4
FirstGen Just Don't Stop! Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Dallas Posts: 1,239	1000 miles for a tail gate? You are way more determined than I am! Nice job! __________________ 1968 C10 build in process TT LSA/6L90e/9"

09-26-2004, 07:50 PM	#5
FRENCHBLUE72 PROJECT 7DEUCE Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: GRANTS PASS OR Posts: 21,606	I did 2 bumper's in a honda civic for 400 mile's...... The gas economy is great in those little car's.... __________________ GO BIG GREEN GO DUCKS MEMBER #6377 72 k-5 daily driver 6'' lift 35'' 350-350-205 slowly getting rust free. Project "7DEUCE" check out my build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=267665 Tim Powell..R.I.P EastSideLowlife..... R.I.P..

09-26-2004, 10:08 PM	#6
sactoC10 71 DELUX Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Northern CA / Sac Posts: 1,055	Yep, 1K miles for a tailgate...but only because my truck was in such good shape to begin with, I had a hunch that this one would look almost good as new. Also, getting someone to match the paint (80's yellow) on the "other" gate I bought would have cost the same or more, not to mention the body work that would have been involved. And seriously, there is not one ding in the aluminum trim, the back side was preserved by the wood and the outside looks like it was painted yesterday. Now I'll have to do more buffing polishing on the rest of the truck so it will match the tailgate! __________________ 5/4 drop LWB wood bed - 15x8 front 235/60 - 15x10 rear 295/50 2003 FORD Escape 1998 Honda VTR1000

09-26-2004, 07:00 PM	#3
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Those "I forgot the tailgate was up in the rafters in the barn" Stories kick ass.

09-28-2004, 03:22 PM	#7
sactoC10 71 DELUX Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Northern CA / Sac Posts: 1,055	Just as I suspected! Removed the piece of wood from the tailgate and underneath... UNBLEMISHED and UNSCRATCHED brand new (ugly pee yellow) factory paint! Got out the polish and cleaner, went to work on it. Very nice...in fact too nice... I'll have to find a suitable cover myself to put back over it. Now, to get some late model tailgate CABLES and get rid of those heavy factory hinged metal strap thingies... GM SUV or something? What has CABLES for the tailgate these days, full size? __________________ 5/4 drop LWB wood bed - 15x8 front 235/60 - 15x10 rear 295/50 2003 FORD Escape 1998 Honda VTR1000

09-28-2004, 04:03 PM	#9
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	I agree, the cables don't last long at all, and they seem cheesey to me. The metal straps will probably last another 30 years before needing replaced.

09-28-2004, 04:14 PM	#10
sactoC10 71 DELUX Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Northern CA / Sac Posts: 1,055	Well... then what can be done to keep the factory hinges from banging up inside of the truck? I agree that they do work well, just thought that the cables with the protective coating would be better on the paint. HMMM, time to consider ALL the options. __________________ 5/4 drop LWB wood bed - 15x8 front 235/60 - 15x10 rear 295/50 2003 FORD Escape 1998 Honda VTR1000

09-29-2004, 10:32 AM	#11
ILIVE4TRUCKS AKA Phillip Johnson, AKA BANNED! Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Grants Pass, Oregon Posts: 94	You drove too far for that tailgate! I have one for $250 just 300 miles from you.

09-29-2004, 11:55 AM	#12
sactoC10 71 DELUX Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Northern CA / Sac Posts: 1,055	not so sure...is yours the original that came with the truck, ding free, ther right color, and look like this one, for free? http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php3?t=121394 __________________ 5/4 drop LWB wood bed - 15x8 front 235/60 - 15x10 rear 295/50 2003 FORD Escape 1998 Honda VTR1000

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