Tailgate Re-Skin

[SactoJim]

As noted before in a previous post, my aftermarket tailgate fit like crap and really the only reason I ordered it was because the inside of my factory gate was too beat up to attempt to fix. I decided to take the inside skin of the aftermarket gate off and install it on the factory gate instead of going though the process of ordering new gates and hope they fit better.

Went pretty well with exception of having to use some half inch spacers inside the gate between the outside gate relief and the new inside skin. The factory gate is spot welded along the inside of that relief and for whatever reason there was a half inch of air between the factory outside and new inside skin.

Because I work for a body shop equipment supplier, I have access to some really great equipment including the $18,000 spot welder I used to put this thing together....holy crap, what a nice welder!! All I have left is to MIG the seam and I'll get the bodywork done on the last item I have to get ready for final paint.

Also included a couple pics of the bed back together with the stainless hardware.

[mocwon]

Great idea!!!

Come to think of it, I could have done exactly the same same thing in reverse. The outside of my factory tail gate was shot but the inside was fine. I could have just cut the new outer skin loose and swapped it from the new one to the inner skin of the old factory one. In fact, I may still do just that and re-paint it.

Thanks for the brain cells on this one.......

[MrC1]

Can't speak. Still gazing at the most beautiful bed I think I've ever seen!

[bartstoy]

Oh wow, that is beautiful. I think you should buy that welder thingamajig and start a business. Never seen anything like that. The outside of my gate is perfect, inside is what needs help. Only have myself to blame.

[T J Randall]

That bed looks so cool!! Can you tell me the color code and mix ratio you used for that beautiful blue color... I'd like to try and shoot it on my never ending project.
Thanks...

[LUV2XCLR8]

That bed is

[Stroker]

You've done a great job on the bed !!! Steel bed floors like yours are few and far between. I'm sure the gate will turn out looking better than the day your truck rolled off the GM line.

[SactoJim]

Thanks so much for the "at a boys".

T J - that color is 99-00 Corvette (Bright Blue Met or I've heard it called Nassua Blue) Sorry, don't have the color code on hand.

I'll tell ya this much, pictures are forgiving and I didn't remove every single dent (left most of the pinch weld dents), but I've seen a few really perfect beds and my hats off to the guys that take it that far. I bet I have as many hours doing bodywork to the bed than the exterior of the truck!!

Anyway.....thanks again gents!