Aftermarket Tailgate (crappy fit) - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**SactoJim** · 07-07-2006, 12:54 AM

Just got my tailgate a few days ago and test fit.....not a good fit. Only reason I got it is because the inside of the original is just too beat up to fix, so it looks like I'm going to take the inside skin off the new one and graft it onto the original. Shouldn't be too tough to drill out the spot welds around the sides and bottom, but will have to do a butt weld at the inside top. Anybody else done this???...and if so....tips, advice?

Even though I was told otherwise, this tailgate is definately not as heavily built as the original. I don't know how many sources there are for these things, but I can't imagine there is more than a couple with the appropriate equipment to stamp these things.....someone educate me.

The pictures tell the story!

smbrouss70 · 07-07-2006, 01:30 AM

Man, that looks like crap. What brand tailgate is that? I have a tri-plus gate that I got from MotherTruckers a couple of years ago, but it's still in the box, I haven't test fitted yet. Maybe I need to do that the next chance I get.

Luis_gz06 · 07-07-2006, 03:01 AM

All Aftermarket parts suck

, but sometimes you have no choice.

QKENUF4U · 07-07-2006, 09:21 AM

ya think yours is bad ya should see mine !!!

67ChevyRedneck · 07-07-2006, 09:25 AM

That does look like crap! My fenders and doors fit well as did my stepside tailgate. Of course, it's hard to screw up the bodylines on a step gate

Sorry man

chevybill · 07-07-2006, 10:15 AM

Return that gate if you can and get a DYNACORN tailgate from Ed at Mothertruckers in Florida. Since you are on the west coast he might can tell you of a dynacorn dealer in your area or check the dynacorn website for california dealers.

1LoC10 · 07-07-2006, 10:51 AM

I got mine from WES and it fits great.. maybe I was lucky

SB406 · 07-07-2006, 11:04 AM

Your original gate looks pretty damn good to me! Mine was S-Shaped to start from crap sliding & slamming into it. Started straightening it with a sledge hammer, a wood block, & a straight edge on the front lawn. The only reason I started with it is because it's a southern gate w/ no rust. It's not perfect, but my truck is a driver, not a show truck anyway. The inside is a little banged up, but if someone has the nerve to say something about it, that's when I'll tell them to get the hell away from my truck.
-Mike

SoCal71K20 · 07-07-2006, 12:32 PM

I see not much has changed. Good luck.

**Bowtie468** · 07-07-2006, 12:40 PM

I wasn't aware that Dynacorn produces a gate for these trucks !

71swb4x4 · 07-07-2006, 12:55 PM

I bought mine from GMC Paul, fits great, and isn't flimsy.

Dano69c10 · 07-07-2006, 02:06 PM

Wow! That is a bad fit!
Not to hijack, but...
Let's start a list or sticky of good (decent) after-market parts.
A list of bad after-market parts would help too. Maybe it should be in the reviews thread.
This would help members steer clear of really bad crap.
Dano

smoknbarrels · 07-07-2006, 02:24 PM

it seems that the end gates with the chevy lettering seem to be thicker and are a better fit, ones that are blank (half price) weigh less and don't fit the same.. supposedly they are made from the same dies in tiwan but who knows... there is another thread that covers this in better detail, but i gotta run right now, and don't have time to look it up and make a link.
hopefully this sheds some light on some tailgate issues.

**SactoJim** · 07-07-2006, 07:50 PM

The outside of my gate is really good with exception to all the snap holes and generally the sloppy spot welds at the sides and in the recessed area. That was one nice thing about the aftermarket gate in that the spot welds were really nice and no extra work was required. The inside of my gate is just to beat up to try and repair.

*72CSTC5* · 07-08-2006, 01:16 AM

Sacto lets see the pics of the inside of the gate and maybe I can give you some tips.

**SactoJim** · 07-09-2006, 01:01 AM

The areas that are circled are the worst. The bottom is bowed in quite a bit and the top is pretty bad as well. Every recessed square area has dents as well. Believe me, I have looked at this pretty hard and just like anything, it can be fixed, but time involved would be substantial.

Like I said previously, I'm going to use the back of the repro tailgait and graft onto the original.

**Bob B.** · 07-09-2006, 02:10 AM

It sure seems that the 'smoothie' tailgates do not fit as good as the lettered ones do.

*MisterMan* · 07-09-2006, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SactoJim

Just got my tailgate a few days ago and test fit.....not a good fit. Only reason I got it is because the inside of the original is just too beat up to fix, so it looks like I'm going to take the inside skin off the new one and graft it onto the original. Shouldn't be too tough to drill out the spot welds around the sides and bottom, but will have to do a butt weld at the inside top. Anybody else done this???...and if so....tips, advice?

Even though I was told otherwise, this tailgate is definately not as heavily built as the original. I don't know how many sources there are for these things, but I can't imagine there is more than a couple with the appropriate equipment to stamp these things.....someone educate me.

The pictures tell the story!

are you going for show quality??? and btw, wow. thoes pictures are amazing, how many pixles is it?? truck looks gooooooooooooooood man.

**SactoJim** · 07-09-2006, 11:23 PM

I wish I would have ordered the lettered tailgate, but thought I would save a few $ and get the plain because I am installing the tailgate band. I figured the extra $ for the lettered gate was GM licensing crap.....maybe not.

Misterman - I'm using a 2 megapixel camera and I finally figured out how to consistently post good pics. I use Photoshop Elements to resize the pic to 640pixels wide and then save as a copy. during the save process you can adjust the size to the required 100K.

I don't know if "show quality" will be the right term, but I'm doing all the bodywork inside the bed and want it to be nice. Thanks for the compliment!

SB406 · 07-10-2006, 10:02 AM

How much do you want for your old gate? That thing's mint compared to mine.

**SactoJim** · 07-10-2006, 10:50 AM

SB406 - I'm going to use the original. Gonna cut the inside skin off both gates and graft the aftermarket back onto the original gate. Make one good gate outa two.

*MisterMan* · 07-10-2006, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SactoJim

I wish I would have ordered the lettered tailgate, but thought I would save a few $ and get the plain because I am installing the tailgate band. I figured the extra $ for the lettered gate was GM licensing crap.....maybe not.

Misterman - I'm using a 2 megapixel camera and I finally figured out how to consistently post good pics. I use Photoshop Elements to resize the pic to 640pixels wide and then save as a copy. during the save process you can adjust the size to the required 100K.

I don't know if "show quality" will be the right term, but I'm doing all the bodywork inside the bed and want it to be nice. Thanks for the compliment!

same as mine, but thoes pictures look amazing as well as your truck... if i were you i would just leave it. or send it back. its too much truble for me to go cutting er' up. if i were you i would just leave it. and believe me. i have to have everything perfect. i removed my seats 5 times until the tracks were square!! lol.

**SactoJim** · 07-10-2006, 06:52 PM

I love to leave it if I could, but if I put shiny paint on that thing, it would look like big time sh*t. To much of a hassle to box up gate and send back and then order another that might not fit as well.

Besides, this helps me polish up the fabrication skills that I don't have!!

Also, when all is said and done, all sheet metal on the truck will be factory with exception to the bed front and inner tailgate skin.

smbrouss70 · 07-10-2006, 06:56 PM

I say go for it, More bragging rights in the end.

SB406 · 07-11-2006, 09:43 AM

I'd fix the old one. Drill a few holes in the back, Pull out the dents with a dent puller, & weld the holes back in. Grind em, smooth over it, & you're done. Just my $.02.

07-07-2006, 12:54 AM	#1
SactoJim Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 1,970	Aftermarket Tailgate (crappy fit) Just got my tailgate a few days ago and test fit.....not a good fit. Only reason I got it is because the inside of the original is just too beat up to fix, so it looks like I'm going to take the inside skin off the new one and graft it onto the original. Shouldn't be too tough to drill out the spot welds around the sides and bottom, but will have to do a butt weld at the inside top. Anybody else done this???...and if so....tips, advice? Even though I was told otherwise, this tailgate is definately not as heavily built as the original. I don't know how many sources there are for these things, but I can't imagine there is more than a couple with the appropriate equipment to stamp these things.....someone educate me. The pictures tell the story! Last edited by SactoJim; 10-04-2007 at 05:19 PM.

07-07-2006, 01:30 AM	#2
smbrouss70 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Rayne, LA Posts: 2,782	Re: Aftermarket Tailgate (crappy fit) Man, that looks like crap. What brand tailgate is that? I have a tri-plus gate that I got from MotherTruckers a couple of years ago, but it's still in the box, I haven't test fitted yet. Maybe I need to do that the next chance I get. __________________ Steven "If dogs don't go to heaven, when I die I want to go wherever they went." -- Will Rogers R.I.P. Oscar R.I.P. Ratchet 1967 Pontiac GTO - Dad was the Original Owner 1970 Chevy 2wd SWB "Oscar's Truck" 1970 Chevy 2wd Blazer "Ratchet's Blazer" 2013 Chevy 2500HD Crew Cab Duramax/Allison Z71 LTZ "Brown Sugar" 2017 Chevy Suburban "BDB" 2020 Chevy Blazer Premier "Foxy" Member of Louisiana Classic Truck Club (LCTC) Shop Build

07-07-2006, 03:01 AM	#3
Luis_gz06 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 1,378	Re: Aftermarket Tailgate (crappy fit) All Aftermarket parts suck , but sometimes you have no choice.

07-07-2006, 09:21 AM	#4
QKENUF4U Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: SUNNY WARM BIKE RIDING COTTONWOOD ARIZONA Posts: 2,097	Re: Aftermarket Tailgate (crappy fit) ya think yours is bad ya should see mine !!!

07-07-2006, 09:25 AM	#5
67ChevyRedneck Hittin E-Z Street on Mud Tires Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 23,090	Re: Aftermarket Tailgate (crappy fit) That does look like crap! My fenders and doors fit well as did my stepside tailgate. Of course, it's hard to screw up the bodylines on a step gate Sorry man __________________ Jesse James 1967 C10 SWB Stepside: 350/700R4/3.73 1965 Ford Mustang: 289/T5-5spd/3.25 Trac-Loc 1968 Pontiac Firebird: Project Fire Chicken! 2015 Silverado Double Cab 5.3L Z71 2001 Jeep Wrangler Sport 4.0L 5spd 2020 Chevrolet Equinox Premium 2.0L Turbo 2011 Mustang V6 ~ Wife's ride American Born, Country by the Grace of God 1967 CST Shop Truck Rebuild! My 1967 C-10 Build Thread My Vintage Air A/C Install Project "On a Dime" Trying my hand at Home Renovation! 1965 Mustang Modifications!

07-07-2006, 10:15 AM	#6
chevybill Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: calhoun city ms Posts: 940	Re: Aftermarket Tailgate (crappy fit) Return that gate if you can and get a DYNACORN tailgate from Ed at Mothertruckers in Florida. Since you are on the west coast he might can tell you of a dynacorn dealer in your area or check the dynacorn website for california dealers. __________________ ongoing 1970 c 10 lwb 1994 z-28 few mods.-owned since new 1978 vette silver/grey 25th anniv. paint

07-07-2006, 10:51 AM	#7
1LoC10 Insert Title Here Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Dyer, Indiana Posts: 5,679	Re: Aftermarket Tailgate (crappy fit) I got mine from WES and it fits great.. maybe I was lucky __________________ BOBBY _69 SWB_ 1000 pics of 67-72's>> http://s193.photobucket.com/albums/z...-72/?start=all <<

07-07-2006, 11:04 AM	#8
SB406 FORD is a 4 letter word. Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Western NY Posts: 99	Re: Aftermarket Tailgate (crappy fit) Your original gate looks pretty damn good to me! Mine was S-Shaped to start from crap sliding & slamming into it. Started straightening it with a sledge hammer, a wood block, & a straight edge on the front lawn. The only reason I started with it is because it's a southern gate w/ no rust. It's not perfect, but my truck is a driver, not a show truck anyway. The inside is a little banged up, but if someone has the nerve to say something about it, that's when I'll tell them to get the hell away from my truck. -Mike __________________ '71 406 GMC Short Box Fleetside - Daily Driver '79 350 Chevy K-5 Blazer - On-going Project (Mudder)www.wnyoffroad.com '58 LT1 Chevy Short Box Step Side - Next Project

07-07-2006, 12:32 PM	#9
SoCal71K20 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Lemon Grove, California Posts: 152	Re: Aftermarket Tailgate (crappy fit) I see not much has changed. Good luck.

07-07-2006, 12:40 PM	#10
Bowtie468 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Cecilia, Louisiana Posts: 1,638	Re: Aftermarket Tailgate (crappy fit) I wasn't aware that Dynacorn produces a gate for these trucks ! __________________ Chris click here to see my buildpage http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=394656 ---------------------------------- 1979 C10 Silverado Big10 SWB Factory 454/400 Cardinal Red/Santa Fe Tan (original paint) 1969 Camaro X44 LS swap 1968 C10 SWB Fleetside (SOLD) 468BBC MultiPort TPI / Dynamic EFI P4 Black/Black 1963 Nova SS convertible (SOLD) 194 I6/ PowerGlide

07-07-2006, 12:55 PM	#11
71swb4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Brookings, SD Posts: 10,497	Re: Aftermarket Tailgate (crappy fit) I bought mine from GMC Paul, fits great, and isn't flimsy. __________________ Some people are like slinkies, they aren't good for anything, but you can't help but smile when you see one tumble down the stairs.

07-07-2006, 02:06 PM	#12
Dano69c10 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Ontario, Kali Posts: 2,427	Re: Aftermarket Tailgate (crappy fit) Wow! That is a bad fit! Not to hijack, but... Let's start a list or sticky of good (decent) after-market parts. A list of bad after-market parts would help too. Maybe it should be in the reviews thread. This would help members steer clear of really bad crap. Dano

07-07-2006, 02:24 PM	#13
smoknbarrels Registered Mail Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 513	Re: Aftermarket Tailgate (crappy fit) it seems that the end gates with the chevy lettering seem to be thicker and are a better fit, ones that are blank (half price) weigh less and don't fit the same.. supposedly they are made from the same dies in tiwan but who knows... there is another thread that covers this in better detail, but i gotta run right now, and don't have time to look it up and make a link. hopefully this sheds some light on some tailgate issues. __________________ '67 chev 496, lwb to swb, bagged - pro street project

07-07-2006, 07:50 PM	#14
SactoJim Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 1,970	Re: Aftermarket Tailgate (crappy fit) The outside of my gate is really good with exception to all the snap holes and generally the sloppy spot welds at the sides and in the recessed area. That was one nice thing about the aftermarket gate in that the spot welds were really nice and no extra work was required. The inside of my gate is just to beat up to try and repair.

07-08-2006, 01:16 AM	#15
72CSTC5 Account Suspended Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Deer Park, Tx. Posts: 2,524	Re: Aftermarket Tailgate (crappy fit) Sacto lets see the pics of the inside of the gate and maybe I can give you some tips.



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07-09-2006, 01:01 AM	#16
SactoJim Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 1,970	Re: Aftermarket Tailgate (crappy fit) The areas that are circled are the worst. The bottom is bowed in quite a bit and the top is pretty bad as well. Every recessed square area has dents as well. Believe me, I have looked at this pretty hard and just like anything, it can be fixed, but time involved would be substantial. Like I said previously, I'm going to use the back of the repro tailgait and graft onto the original. Last edited by SactoJim; 10-04-2007 at 05:19 PM.

07-09-2006, 02:10 AM	#17
Bob B. Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,321	Re: Aftermarket Tailgate (crappy fit) It sure seems that the 'smoothie' tailgates do not fit as good as the lettered ones do. __________________ 1967 GMC CM-2500 Camper Cruiser, 351E V-6, NP 435 4 speed, Dana 60, and factory A/C. 2012 GMC K-3500 WT regular cab, 6.0L Vortec, 6L90.

07-09-2006, 11:23 PM	#19
SactoJim Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 1,970	Re: Aftermarket Tailgate (crappy fit) I wish I would have ordered the lettered tailgate, but thought I would save a few $ and get the plain because I am installing the tailgate band. I figured the extra $ for the lettered gate was GM licensing crap.....maybe not. Misterman - I'm using a 2 megapixel camera and I finally figured out how to consistently post good pics. I use Photoshop Elements to resize the pic to 640pixels wide and then save as a copy. during the save process you can adjust the size to the required 100K. I don't know if "show quality" will be the right term, but I'm doing all the bodywork inside the bed and want it to be nice. Thanks for the compliment!

07-10-2006, 10:02 AM	#20
SB406 FORD is a 4 letter word. Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Western NY Posts: 99	Re: Aftermarket Tailgate (crappy fit) How much do you want for your old gate? That thing's mint compared to mine. __________________ '71 406 GMC Short Box Fleetside - Daily Driver '79 350 Chevy K-5 Blazer - On-going Project (Mudder)www.wnyoffroad.com '58 LT1 Chevy Short Box Step Side - Next Project

07-10-2006, 10:50 AM	#21
SactoJim Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 1,970	Re: Aftermarket Tailgate (crappy fit) SB406 - I'm going to use the original. Gonna cut the inside skin off both gates and graft the aftermarket back onto the original gate. Make one good gate outa two.

07-10-2006, 06:52 PM	#23
SactoJim Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 1,970	Re: Aftermarket Tailgate (crappy fit) I love to leave it if I could, but if I put shiny paint on that thing, it would look like big time sh*t. To much of a hassle to box up gate and send back and then order another that might not fit as well. Besides, this helps me polish up the fabrication skills that I don't have!! Also, when all is said and done, all sheet metal on the truck will be factory with exception to the bed front and inner tailgate skin.

07-10-2006, 06:56 PM	#24
smbrouss70 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Rayne, LA Posts: 2,782	Re: Aftermarket Tailgate (crappy fit) I say go for it, More bragging rights in the end. __________________ Steven "If dogs don't go to heaven, when I die I want to go wherever they went." -- Will Rogers R.I.P. Oscar R.I.P. Ratchet 1967 Pontiac GTO - Dad was the Original Owner 1970 Chevy 2wd SWB "Oscar's Truck" 1970 Chevy 2wd Blazer "Ratchet's Blazer" 2013 Chevy 2500HD Crew Cab Duramax/Allison Z71 LTZ "Brown Sugar" 2017 Chevy Suburban "BDB" 2020 Chevy Blazer Premier "Foxy" Member of Louisiana Classic Truck Club (LCTC) Shop Build

07-11-2006, 09:43 AM	#25
SB406 FORD is a 4 letter word. Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Western NY Posts: 99	Re: Aftermarket Tailgate (crappy fit) I'd fix the old one. Drill a few holes in the back, Pull out the dents with a dent puller, & weld the holes back in. Grind em, smooth over it, & you're done. Just my $.02. __________________ '71 406 GMC Short Box Fleetside - Daily Driver '79 350 Chevy K-5 Blazer - On-going Project (Mudder)www.wnyoffroad.com '58 LT1 Chevy Short Box Step Side - Next Project

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