how good are repop tailgates ?

[tom71]

how do they fit? would you buy another ?

[1LoC10]

I got mine from Wes at http://www.classicheartbeat.com and it fit fine, no probs at all... I have heard some are made of thinner material, but these are supposed to be correct gauge, so I assume it is

[Tom Vogel]

Whether it is a repop or NOS, you will have to do some work to it if you want it to fit correctly. (unless your awfuleasy to please)
It will probably have some twist to take out and the gaps wont be perfect. All that can be overcome... with a little work. Im talking goodmark, it is the right gauge, but you will have to massage it or a nos one.

[special-K]

Stepside or Fleetside?All Stepside gatesa flimsy,IMO,and want to bow real easy.Like they were never intended to stay that nice,

[junkyardjohn]

EVERY AFTERMARKET TAILGATE I'VE SEEN HAS BEEN... WELL... NOT SO PRETTY GOOD. BUT I'VE ONLY SEEN ABOUT A DOZEN & A HALF INSTALLED THOUGH. PEOPLE CAN SWEAR THEY ARE THE SAME GAUGE, EVERY BIT AS THICK & HEAVY AS A G.M. T/GATE, BUT I'VE NEVER SEEN ONE THAT WOULDN'T BEND IN THE MIDDLE IF A HEFTY CHICK SAT IN THE MIDDLE OF IT. I HAVE SAT FULLY LOADED SMALL BLOCKS ON THE ORIGINAL T/GATE ON MY BLAZER WHILE LOADING ONE FROM THE BONEYARD, WITHOUT BOWING OR BENDING. NOT JUST ONCE, BUT SEVERAL TIMES. THE ONLY AFTERMARKET PARTS THAT I'VE USED THAT WERE AS GOOD AS THE ORIGINALS IS A INST. PANEL, A DOOR LATCH & ROCKERS. TO EACH HIS OWN BUT SOME PEOPLE SWORE PACERS ,VEGAS & GREMLINS WERE GOOD CARS TOO. JOHN

[Green Machine]

JYJ - maybe you need one of these - I have heard that the gates with the letters weigh only about five pounds less than the originals and are pretty good, the gates without letters are much lighter than the originals, depends on supplier, but I have been told this by several vendors when looking for mine. Talk to Mother Truckers, or call Manes Truck Parts for some good info.

[Billla]

Originally Posted by Green Machine

I have heard that the gates with the letter weigh only about five pounds less than the originals and are pretty good, the gates without letters are much lighter than the originals, depend on supplier, but I have been told this by 2 vendors when looking for mine.

I wonder if this is because of the GM Reproduction Parts licensing - if the CHEVROLET letters are on it, GM needs to approve it...and it would likely be made to GM specs and using their tooling drawings. The no-logo repops could be made any way they wanted to.

I'm sticking with my originals. Does anyone have a better idea for getting the dents out other than cutting an access panel in the back and then welding it back in? I think they're just too deep and sharp for a stud or screw puller.

[MAR-Ktech]

Originally Posted by Billla

I wonder if this is because of the GM Reproduction Parts licensing - if the CHEVROLET letters are on it, GM needs to approve it...and it would likely be made to GM specs and using their tooling drawings. The no-logo repops could be made any way they wanted to.

.

Billa: you are exactly right. Mar-K Manufacturing is a GM licensee on some stepside gates and the licensed parts have to inspected by GM before procuction and if there is any change in the parts later, inspected again. There is no standard of quality for the no-name repro tailgates. We do not sell the no-name repos anymore because of the poor quality of the parts and packaging.

Just take a scales and weigh the repo and compare to the weight of an original. Same gage metal will weigh the same regardless of what the supplier says.

IMO the reason the repo gates are lighter gage and poor quality is the American importer is only interested in getting the cheapest part possible. They import hundreds at a time and save a few cents by using cheaper methods and materials. The result is the buyer gets a good looking part that is not made well and will not be durable. The overseas factory is probably making what was ordered.

Mar-Ktech

[PICKMUP]

I hate this subject! Every time it comes up half the world says they are junk and the other half says they are great.
There are not enough good original TGs for everyone. Most of us are glad they make a new TG that is straight & clean, looks good and works well and is reasonable priced.
The old "thin" TGs (all smooth/no letters) haven't been made in over 5 years. I'll bet you that thing jerry jones is showing is one of the old thin ones. The new ones are within 10 lbs of an NOS and will hold several hundred lbs in the middle and not bend...IF you don't drop a cummins diesel engine on it from 20 feet up, they are really good.
If you just want a strong old gate that will keep the fire wood & crap in the bed, come see me...I will sell you one cheap. If you insist on a real nice straight original, come see me again...I will sell you one for a lot of $$$$$$$!
Otherwise, most of us will get good results from the repro TGs for a fair price. Tried to buy an NOS lately?

[MAR-Ktech]

Originally Posted by PICKMUP

The new ones are within 10 lbs of an NOS and will hold several hundred lbs in the middle and not bend...?

Always good to hear the positive point of view. I guess I missed the posts that said the repro tailgates are great.

You know, what bothers most of us about this is why not make the parts the right thickness. 10 lbs is about one gage thinner on the whole tailgate. The last time I bought steel it is in the neighborhood of $.50 per pound. We think most people would gladly pay $5 more for a tailgate that was made of the the right thickness metal. There are overseas factories that can do great quality work at reasonable prices. If they are supplying inferior quality parts, it is because that is what is being ordered and made available on the American market. It could be better.

Mar-Ktech

[Jerry Jones]

Originally Posted by PICKMUP

I hate this subject! Every time it comes up half the world says they are junk and the other half says they are great.
There are not enough good original TGs for everyone. Most of us are glad they make a new TG that is straight & clean, looks good and works well and is reasonable priced.
The old "thin" TGs (all smooth/no letters) haven't been made in over 5 years. I'll bet you that thing jerry jones is showing is one of the old thin ones. The new ones are within 10 lbs of an NOS and will hold several hundred lbs in the middle and not bend...IF you don't drop a cummins diesel engine on it from 20 feet up, they are really good.
If you just want a strong old gate that will keep the fire wood & crap in the bed, come see me...I will sell you one cheap. If you insist on a real nice straight original, come see me again...I will sell you one for a lot of $$$$$$$!
Otherwise, most of us will get good results from the repro TGs for a fair price. Tried to buy an NOS lately?

Yup about 5 yrs old. My wife bought it for me for my b-day. I had to travel out of town for a week, and when I got back, it was trashed. Seems my nephew didn't want to use his brand new truck for a dump run and barrowed my truck to do his dirty work. Oh well.

[junkyardjohn]

Originally Posted by Green Machine

JYJ - maybe you need one of these - I have heard that the gates with the letters weigh only about five pounds less than the originals and are pretty good, the gates without letters are much lighter than the originals, depends on supplier, but I have been told this by several vendors when looking for mine. Talk to Mother Truckers, or call Manes Truck Parts for some good info.

GEEZE,,, I WONDER WHAT PEOPLE SELLING THESE T/GATES ARE GOING TO SAY??? MAYBE YOU'D BE BETTER OFF ASKING SOMEONE WHO HAS TRIED ONE ON THEIR TRUCK & HAS NOTHING TO GAIN OR LOSE BY TELLING YOU HOW IT FITS. PERSONALLY I DON'T CARE WHAT ANYBODY BUYS, BUT I KNOW WHAT I'LL BE USING. I HAVE 2 VERY GOOD GMC TAILGATES, & IF I USE EM ON A CHEVY I'LL JUST PUT A T/GATE BAND ON IT. JOHN

[Jerry Jones]

Stay away, stay far away... This is what it looked like just days after install.

[Jerry Jones]

I know... it looks better than the rest of the truck... SHUT UP!!!

[speedracer]

I bought one without letters it fit with no problems but I stepped on it getting in the bed and it bowed I weigh 145lbs??? 6 months later the welds holding the outer skin broke I will not buy another

[1LoC10]

and it looks beter than before...lol

[1LoC10]

well i cant debate on the strength side, because im not going to test it...lol, i wont let anyone touch it, let alone sit on it..... but lining up wise, it fits great the lines all line up the handle sits in it right and the gaps to the bedsides are even... so looks wise its good. (so far)

[dennislbrooks]

Not saying I would never buy another aftermarket but do not leave me alone with oem fleet tailgates.. My aftermarket has mis-alignments before spot welding. I think the molds are worn out and they need more quality control in Taiwan on them. I have no fear of standing on it tho.

Mine has the Chevrolet lettering embossed in it.

[Green Machine]

Just remembered, I was also told that it would be a good idea on any repop tailgate to re-weld all of the spot welds to avoid seperation there. More work up front, but better than later after its painted.

[gringoloco]

There is a new generation of repop gates now. Supposed to be much better.

-Chris

[CUSTOM/10]

I looked at the lettered and non-lettered gates side by side at the Carlisle PA swap meet, and the lettered gate was much thicker and heavier. I was told they both came from the same MFG. in Taiwan. I was tempted to buy the lettered gate, but it was raining Saturday and I didn't feel carrying it around.

[Bob B.]

I bought a 'G.M. Restoration Parts' GMC lettered tailgate from Jim Carter. Just as heavy as the original. I, too, have been told that the smooth tailgates are considerably lighter than the good quality lettered repops.

[chevyboy55]

My son & I talked to a guy from the truck shop at the Portland swap meet & asked him about the plain gates being thinner than the lettered gates. He said Counterpart(which is owned by the truck shop) uses the same tooling & materials for both gates.

[qksilver]

does the lettering like putting a bead in flat sheet metal give it more strength?
Just a thought?

[Daubs]

Roaming around my uncle's machine shop about 15 years ago (he's a rancher in Nebraska), and I see two beautiful tailgates. I'm talking spotless. One from 67-72 Chevy, another from 70's vintage Chevy (also had a ford...but who cares).

I was high school at the time and told him he was sitting on a gold mine. He just laughed at me. Never know what you might find in an old rancher or farmer's machine shed...Wish I had either of them now!