Bowed tailgate - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

gots2fish · 03-05-2010, 04:02 PM

Can a bowed tail gate be repaired? Any suggestions

Longhorn Man · 03-05-2010, 05:06 PM

i've heard of people laying them in the dirt and running over them... guess if it is already junk, you don't have much to lose.
I doubt you could ever get one back to nice, once it's bowed it's bowed.

mbgmike · 03-05-2010, 05:36 PM

If you want to take it out the best way is to take to a shop that has a tail gate straightener. They cost too much for one job. They can get the bow out or at least most of it.

Added pic of press

68gmsee · 03-05-2010, 05:53 PM

I've tried the 2X4 method suggested by some.

Place to pieces of 2X4's on either end of the tailgate with the bow up.

I used a long 2X10 board I had laying around and placed it in the center of the tailgate then slowly drove the truck on to the board. As I got closer to the tailgate the bow started to go down.

What I found out is that I had to actually go beyond straight because when I backed the truck the tailgate had some memory and still was bowed.

Play with some and see what happends. Just don't over do it.

gots2fish · 03-05-2010, 06:06 PM

Thanks for the ideas. I have a pretty good tailgate other than its bowed a bit.

68gmsee · 03-05-2010, 07:09 PM

If it's in good shape and not all dinged up (like mine) I'd take it to a shop. They have hydraulic presses that can be controlled a lot better than using the truck. The original tailgates in good shape are expensive. I've seen them go for over $500.

03-05-2010, 04:02 PM	#1
gots2fish Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Kearns, UT Posts: 9	Bowed tailgate Can a bowed tail gate be repaired? Any suggestions

03-05-2010, 05:06 PM	#2
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: Bowed tailgate i've heard of people laying them in the dirt and running over them... guess if it is already junk, you don't have much to lose. I doubt you could ever get one back to nice, once it's bowed it's bowed.

03-05-2010, 05:36 PM	#3
mbgmike Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Pasadena,Tx /Pto Pta DR Posts: 5,415	Re: Bowed tailgate If you want to take it out the best way is to take to a shop that has a tail gate straightener. They cost too much for one job. They can get the bow out or at least most of it. Added pic of press Attached Images Last edited by mbgmike; 03-06-2010 at 09:54 AM.

03-05-2010, 05:53 PM	#4
68gmsee Active Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Centrally located between Houston, Austin and Waco. BCS area. Posts: 7,947	Re: Bowed tailgate I've tried the 2X4 method suggested by some. Place to pieces of 2X4's on either end of the tailgate with the bow up. I used a long 2X10 board I had laying around and placed it in the center of the tailgate then slowly drove the truck on to the board. As I got closer to the tailgate the bow started to go down. What I found out is that I had to actually go beyond straight because when I backed the truck the tailgate had some memory and still was bowed. Play with some and see what happends. Just don't over do it.

03-05-2010, 06:06 PM	#5
gots2fish Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Kearns, UT Posts: 9	Re: Bowed tailgate Thanks for the ideas. I have a pretty good tailgate other than its bowed a bit. __________________ Don 67 C10 350 3 on the tree.

03-05-2010, 07:09 PM	#6
68gmsee Active Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Centrally located between Houston, Austin and Waco. BCS area. Posts: 7,947	Re: Bowed tailgate If it's in good shape and not all dinged up (like mine) I'd take it to a shop. They have hydraulic presses that can be controlled a lot better than using the truck. The original tailgates in good shape are expensive. I've seen them go for over $500.



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