Question re: aftermarket body parts

[SactoJim]

I'm sure this has been beat to death but looks like I'm gonna need a new tailgate and front bed panel in a effort to make the inside of my bed look as good as the outside. (SWB fleetside)

my main concern is the tailgate and how well aftermarket fits. There is a substantial price diff between a "plain" and one with embossed letters. I'm putting the tailgate band back on and really don't care about letters and would rather save the $$. Are either the same fit and quality, and price diff is mainly due to the letters and maybe licensing crap from GM?

I can't imagine there are more than a few mfrs. producing this stuff.

The Truck and Car Shop (So Cal) seem to have the best price or maybe someone can point me in a better direction.

Appreciate the help!

[SactoJim]

ttt

[chevymad]

Quality has probably improved in the 10 years since I bought my "no name" tailgate, but I still won't buy another. All the welds came apart, the gate bends when you set anything at all on it, and its generally just a real POS. I'll look for a decent used original from now on.

[bwright]

All of the aftermarket tailgates I've seen have been of pretty poor construction...thin metal, bad welds, etc. They usually fit fairly well, so as long as you're not planning on sitting much on it, it'll work fine. A good original tailgate would be better...but hard to find.

[LUV2XCLR8]

I can sit on a real one w/ out bending it, not an aftermarket

[71swb4x4]

I bought an aftermarket no name from GMC Pauls. My Jimmy had an aftermarket no name on it already, but it was one of those junk ones. The one that came from GMC Pauls weighed almost twice as much, and fit great. Before I bought it they assured me that the "new" no name gates were vastly improved over the old ones. I couldn't be happier with mine.