What a Stupid Thing To Do !! - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

70GMCer · 07-05-2005, 07:44 AM

I wanted to push my truck back into the garage to re-install my rebuilt 350 and auto conversion and did a stupid move. I have a step bumper on the GMC, and so I used my company FORD van to push the truck. I did this very slow and all of a sudden, bang, the front bumper of the FORD jumped up on top of the step bumper and caved in the tailgate.

What an "Idiot".....This tailgate isn't perfect, but didn't have any dents in it and was going to make a nice gate to use. Now I have to figure out how to pull out the dent. Any ideas, or should I just go and get a new gate?

I can't even open the thing now as shown in the picture. It stops have way opened and hit the bed. Again, "What an Idiot"

I guess it's true what they say.....Fords and Chevys don't mix !!!

Ray_71Chev_in_PA · 07-05-2005, 07:49 AM

70,

When I was moving my '71 around, I used a Cub Cadet. Unfortunately, when putting the truck into the garage, the truck rolled right over the chock I had positioned, and my garage is about a half inch longer than it was before. I don't think I bent anything, but then again, I haven't looked! I don't wanna know...

Ray

hotrodmtodd · 07-05-2005, 10:34 AM

Steve,
Man, that is a Major bummer! You gotta' stick a tire in between next time brother. Tough to fix with all those chrome strips and stuff on there. You can fix almost ANYTHING, it all depends on whether it is one of those "SHOW" trucks, or a driver. I hope you are able to find an answer that works. If I was closer I would help you however I could. I can at least help with the tranny part, be watching the mail. Take care, Mike

matthufham · 07-05-2005, 12:31 PM

we rigged a come-a-long jack to the inside wall of our garage. if we can get the truck in the driveway, we can pull it in.

70GMCer · 07-05-2005, 01:37 PM

hotrodmtodd....Don't know why I didn't do the tire in between thing. Just wasn't thinking. Thanks for wanting to help Mike, if you were close by, but please, with your luck lately, "Stay away from Maryland" ..........lol

grayw0lf · 07-05-2005, 03:54 PM

Hmmm... It still looks a LOT better than my tailgate!

LUV2XCLR8 · 07-05-2005, 05:12 PM

OUCH

Joe67 · 07-05-2005, 05:39 PM

Ouch!

How level is your concrete? I used to push my 67 SWB in and out of the garage during winter storage...

Green Machine · 07-05-2005, 06:54 PM

Son of a dammit !! Thats what the PO of my truck must have done !! Most gates gate bow out at the bottom, looks like you fixed that. Seriously though, trim piece looks ok and you can hide a LOT of sins under that trim panel. Stud puller might work.

tomatocity · 07-05-2005, 07:18 PM

I have a GMC tailgate on my 70 Chevy that is not perfect but it is the same color and has the GMC molding on it. I would gladly sell or trade it if i can get a Chevrolet tailgate (the color does not need to match). Tim

hotrodmtodd · 07-05-2005, 10:38 PM

Steve,
If you can work something out with tomatocity, I am heading out to the Napa Valley in August, I will be HAPPY to bring it back for you. Let me know, Mike
PS We can always meet in a NEUTRAL state since I am unofficially banned from MD! Maybe WV.............

tomatocity · 07-06-2005, 01:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hotrodmtodd

Steve,
If you can work something out with tomatocity, I am heading out to the Napa Valley in August, I will be HAPPY to bring it back for you. Let me know, Mike
PS We can always meet in a NEUTRAL state since I am unofficially banned from MD! Maybe WV.............

Is this a great group or what! Always wanted a big brother now I have hundreds of them.

68C15 · 07-05-2005, 11:44 PM

look on the bright side. at least it had wheels & tires on it instead of jack stands.

69 Short Fleet · 07-06-2005, 02:53 AM

Oh Oh, man thats a hard pill to swallow... I'm sure everyone on this board has had a day like that (I know I have). Looks like you will have it fixed in no time though.

70GMCer · 07-06-2005, 08:21 AM

Was thinking on trying to pull it out with a puller, but I really don't want to drill any holes in it. I might give the old toilet plunger method a try. I've did that on other panels before and it worked, but this has the bend in it and I don't think the plunger will seal properly to pull on. I'm at the point of either getting a new stamped GMC gate or another used one like Mike (hotrodmtodd) said. (I will be getting in touch with you Mike) I wasn't planning on using the GMC wood grain & moulding on this one, just using the letters.

I think the reason this happened, was I had my mind thinking about getting ready to start the new motor, and not paying attention to what I was doing when this happened. After the motor has been fired this week, then I'll look into my options on the gate.

BTW, i'm thinking that there are holes behind the moulding on this gate, but are there holes for the woodgrain as well, or is it glued on. I never have had this apart before.

hotrodmtodd · 07-06-2005, 09:05 AM

Steve,
Did it bow the whole gate, or did it actually smash the outside layer of sheetmetal? If it is just bowed, you may be able to fix it with 2 2X4s on the ends and some carefully applied weight in the center. If it smashed the skin, that would be tougher. I'm sure GM used a combo of holes and doublesided tape like alot of the truck mouldings on that thing, but if you try to yank on the holes with a puller, you are going to wind up with a bunch of mini-volcanoes so to speak. And I don't think there is enough suction in THE WORLD to pull that kind of damage out, but WHO KNOWS. I wish I was closer brother. Good luck and let me know what you decide, Mike

70GMCer · 07-06-2005, 10:38 AM

when it bent, it looks like it pushed in the outer panel into the back side panel and bowed that into the bed.......I'll let you know what I plan on doing.....thanks for the help....I'm just going to concentrate on the motor. Get one headache done at a time.....I'll post pictures of the running motor when completed........

Rdrdave · 07-06-2005, 04:10 PM

That's what neighbors are for! Ask and you shall receive. A beer goes a long way. JK good luck.. I'd switch it.

07-05-2005, 07:44 AM	#1
70GMCer Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Joppa, Maryland Posts: 4,408	What a Stupid Thing To Do !! I wanted to push my truck back into the garage to re-install my rebuilt 350 and auto conversion and did a stupid move. I have a step bumper on the GMC, and so I used my company FORD van to push the truck. I did this very slow and all of a sudden, bang, the front bumper of the FORD jumped up on top of the step bumper and caved in the tailgate. What an "Idiot".....This tailgate isn't perfect, but didn't have any dents in it and was going to make a nice gate to use. Now I have to figure out how to pull out the dent. Any ideas, or should I just go and get a new gate? I can't even open the thing now as shown in the picture. It stops have way opened and hit the bed. Again, "What an Idiot" I guess it's true what they say.....Fords and Chevys don't mix !!! Attached Images __________________ 1997 GMC Sierra Ext 1965 Mustang

07-05-2005, 07:49 AM	#2
Ray_71Chev_in_PA Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Boyertown, PA Posts: 36	70, When I was moving my '71 around, I used a Cub Cadet. Unfortunately, when putting the truck into the garage, the truck rolled right over the chock I had positioned, and my garage is about a half inch longer than it was before. I don't think I bent anything, but then again, I haven't looked! I don't wanna know... Ray __________________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1971 C10/350/Blue/White/Blue in Boyertown, PA

07-05-2005, 10:34 AM	#3
hotrodmtodd 'Burban Legend Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Mingo Junction OH Posts: 918	Tough Break Steve, Man, that is a Major bummer! You gotta' stick a tire in between next time brother. Tough to fix with all those chrome strips and stuff on there. You can fix almost ANYTHING, it all depends on whether it is one of those "SHOW" trucks, or a driver. I hope you are able to find an answer that works. If I was closer I would help you however I could. I can at least help with the tranny part, be watching the mail. Take care, Mike __________________ '67 Chevy Iron City Beer Truck (9ft step) '67 Chevy Panel Truck 467 '68 Short Fleet 305v6 '68 McLaren Ramp Truck '68/'68/'70/'71 Burbs 292/366/402/454 '69 C-30 dump '71 C-50 dump and church bus '71 4x4 454 '72 Blazer (w/pop-up camper) $15 x-hooks '66 Chevy II 194/Weber '68 El Camino" 305v6 '69 Skylark 455 Buick '70 Chevelle 427 '71 Cutlass W-31 '71 GTO 400 2x2 "The 51" Chopped '51 Chevy (409) my first car OK Toad, we'll take 'em all... John Milner

07-05-2005, 01:37 PM	#5
70GMCer Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Joppa, Maryland Posts: 4,408	hotrodmtodd....Don't know why I didn't do the tire in between thing. Just wasn't thinking. Thanks for wanting to help Mike, if you were close by, but please, with your luck lately, "Stay away from Maryland" ..........lol __________________ 1997 GMC Sierra Ext 1965 Mustang

07-05-2005, 03:54 PM	#6
grayw0lf Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Clanton, AL Posts: 1,253	Hmmm... It still looks a LOT better than my tailgate! __________________ 85' CUCV M1009!!! The newest addition! 6.2diesel, Th400, NP208, & only 36k miles! 70' C-10 LWB Fleetside - Looking good these days! 05' Dodge Neon 88' Winner Escape Sport 1750 - 4.3v6 94' Seadoo SP 84' Honda TRX200, bare nekkid. Just a frame & tires. Always looking for another project or any good deal!

07-05-2005, 12:31 PM	#4
matthufham Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Carl Junction, Missouri Posts: 2,061	we rigged a come-a-long jack to the inside wall of our garage. if we can get the truck in the driveway, we can pull it in.

07-05-2005, 05:12 PM	#7
LUV2XCLR8 The LuvShack Garage Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Maple Grove, TN (West Side) Posts: 30,484	OUCH __________________ Owner/Op: "TN Classic Transport Carriers" The Toy: "Square Vette" 72 Hybrid Blazer Toy Barn: "LuvShack" 40 x 60 x 20 Shop Tow Piggy:"Maddy" 88 Silverado 3500 Hauler: "Feathers" 14 Aluma 8218T

07-05-2005, 05:39 PM	#8
Joe67 67 is sold Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Troy, Michigan Posts: 6,738	Ouch! How level is your concrete? I used to push my 67 SWB in and out of the garage during winter storage... __________________ Joe - Formerly 67c10step ------------------------------- 1967 Chevy Stepside - ECE 4/6, fuelcell, 5lug - SOLD gr8lakes - My ebay auctions Click here to order forum apparel :: Click here to become a subscribing member

07-05-2005, 06:54 PM	#9
Green Machine Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Estherville, Iowa Posts: 3,371	Son of a dammit !! Thats what the PO of my truck must have done !! Most gates gate bow out at the bottom, looks like you fixed that. Seriously though, trim piece looks ok and you can hide a LOT of sins under that trim panel. Stud puller might work. __________________ 1968 C10 307 3spd Long Fleet ------ http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=201103 1970 C10 305 Super T10 Long Fleet --- http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=202285 1971 C20 383 TH350 Dana Posi ----- http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=206894 2001 GMC Sierra 1500 C3 6.0

07-05-2005, 07:18 PM	#10
tomatocity Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Sacramento CA Posts: 1,255	I have a GMC tailgate on my 70 Chevy that is not perfect but it is the same color and has the GMC molding on it. I would gladly sell or trade it if i can get a Chevrolet tailgate (the color does not need to match). Tim __________________ Got bored, sold everthing. Got bored, looking for a 1960-66 C-10. Want to build my last truck.

07-05-2005, 10:38 PM	#11
hotrodmtodd 'Burban Legend Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Mingo Junction OH Posts: 918	Tomato Gate Steve, If you can work something out with tomatocity, I am heading out to the Napa Valley in August, I will be HAPPY to bring it back for you. Let me know, Mike PS We can always meet in a NEUTRAL state since I am unofficially banned from MD! Maybe WV............. __________________ '67 Chevy Iron City Beer Truck (9ft step) '67 Chevy Panel Truck 467 '68 Short Fleet 305v6 '68 McLaren Ramp Truck '68/'68/'70/'71 Burbs 292/366/402/454 '69 C-30 dump '71 C-50 dump and church bus '71 4x4 454 '72 Blazer (w/pop-up camper) $15 x-hooks '66 Chevy II 194/Weber '68 El Camino" 305v6 '69 Skylark 455 Buick '70 Chevelle 427 '71 Cutlass W-31 '71 GTO 400 2x2 "The 51" Chopped '51 Chevy (409) my first car OK Toad, we'll take 'em all... John Milner

07-05-2005, 11:44 PM	#13
68C15 blood type; Retumbo Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: next to my reloading bench Posts: 10,269	look on the bright side. at least it had wheels & tires on it instead of jack stands. __________________ Man rule #77...if you own a 67 stepside with a caddy 472 you will never be in danger of loosing you man card

07-06-2005, 02:53 AM	#14
69 Short Fleet Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Kelowna B.C. Canada Posts: 1,086	Oh Oh, man thats a hard pill to swallow... I'm sure everyone on this board has had a day like that (I know I have). Looks like you will have it fixed in no time though.

07-06-2005, 08:21 AM	#15
70GMCer Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Joppa, Maryland Posts: 4,408	Was thinking on trying to pull it out with a puller, but I really don't want to drill any holes in it. I might give the old toilet plunger method a try. I've did that on other panels before and it worked, but this has the bend in it and I don't think the plunger will seal properly to pull on. I'm at the point of either getting a new stamped GMC gate or another used one like Mike (hotrodmtodd) said. (I will be getting in touch with you Mike) I wasn't planning on using the GMC wood grain & moulding on this one, just using the letters. I think the reason this happened, was I had my mind thinking about getting ready to start the new motor, and not paying attention to what I was doing when this happened. After the motor has been fired this week, then I'll look into my options on the gate. BTW, i'm thinking that there are holes behind the moulding on this gate, but are there holes for the woodgrain as well, or is it glued on. I never have had this apart before. __________________ 1997 GMC Sierra Ext 1965 Mustang

07-06-2005, 09:05 AM	#16
hotrodmtodd 'Burban Legend Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Mingo Junction OH Posts: 918	Bow or Smash? Steve, Did it bow the whole gate, or did it actually smash the outside layer of sheetmetal? If it is just bowed, you may be able to fix it with 2 2X4s on the ends and some carefully applied weight in the center. If it smashed the skin, that would be tougher. I'm sure GM used a combo of holes and doublesided tape like alot of the truck mouldings on that thing, but if you try to yank on the holes with a puller, you are going to wind up with a bunch of mini-volcanoes so to speak. And I don't think there is enough suction in THE WORLD to pull that kind of damage out, but WHO KNOWS. I wish I was closer brother. Good luck and let me know what you decide, Mike __________________ '67 Chevy Iron City Beer Truck (9ft step) '67 Chevy Panel Truck 467 '68 Short Fleet 305v6 '68 McLaren Ramp Truck '68/'68/'70/'71 Burbs 292/366/402/454 '69 C-30 dump '71 C-50 dump and church bus '71 4x4 454 '72 Blazer (w/pop-up camper) $15 x-hooks '66 Chevy II 194/Weber '68 El Camino" 305v6 '69 Skylark 455 Buick '70 Chevelle 427 '71 Cutlass W-31 '71 GTO 400 2x2 "The 51" Chopped '51 Chevy (409) my first car OK Toad, we'll take 'em all... John Milner



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07-06-2005, 10:38 AM	#17
70GMCer Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Joppa, Maryland Posts: 4,408	when it bent, it looks like it pushed in the outer panel into the back side panel and bowed that into the bed.......I'll let you know what I plan on doing.....thanks for the help....I'm just going to concentrate on the motor. Get one headache done at a time.....I'll post pictures of the running motor when completed........ __________________ 1997 GMC Sierra Ext 1965 Mustang

07-06-2005, 04:10 PM	#18
Rdrdave Broke and still trying Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Alameda, CA Posts: 562	That's what neighbors are for! Ask and you shall receive. A beer goes a long way. JK good luck.. I'd switch it.

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