Caddy Light Install

[87c10slammer]

i got my licence 6 years ago... i have blown up 18 cars since then... now i own 2 gm trucks.. one is a 2000 jimmy and the other is a 87 c10 long bed... well i blew the 87 up but its getting modded so that wont happen again but anyways... all the cars i had prior where cheapy cars that i would do a little work to and eventually blow up cause i had a heavy right foot... i have done body work, interior work, engine work, and suspension work over the last 6 years to all of them... most of the time just to destoy them but i didnt care it was a learning experiance... now im happy with the trucks that i have now so i am gental with the jimmy even though every time it does break it gets more power or tougher parts... i just order a 6inch lift so i can fit my 35s from my 79 bronco one it... last weekend i did the mpfi spder upgrade.. what a learning experiance that was... i am constintly learning new things jsut by doing it myself rather then taking it somewhere to get done... my only regret is waisting all that money on them beater cars... i wish i could get it all back

[dammitmitchell]

hey dude ive got pictures for you on what a "half arsed" bondo looks like soo make sure you slend it reallly good and follow peoples advice on it.. thank god my bed is pretty much junk otherwise id well id be upset with what the PO passed off as "new paint"...
i'll post them tomorrow for you..

[jrsmith_2010]

wow it seems like forever since i posted pics on here! well today i got some work done, i got it all rustoliumed where it wont rust and got the bondo smoothed more out, still needs some touch up but not that big of deal. i also got a new tailgate, the modle that should be on my 79. its rusty tho. so i had to weld in the brackets and latches to the bed becasue i used the holes for the caddy lights. so after i did that i started welding to patch up the rust holes, i got about half of them done. i also fought with the handle to i can shave it in due time. now i have to finish up welding the holes up and then weld it it place. heres some pics

[jrsmith_2010]

what i was thinkin about doin with the tailgate is grinding off where the chevrolet is at and make it smooth, or just get some metal and make it all smooth

[dammitmitchell]

u cant grind off the"chevrolet" youll end up cutting out the letters instead
id say save our pennies and buy an aftermarket tailgate dude..
i kinda like the chevrolet stamping.. ive always liked it..

[joe231]

you could get one of these.....

http://mar-k.com/catalog/catalog.asp...19781978CV-191

[jrsmith_2010]

thanks joe, i think im just going to keep the chevrolet there, it looks cool with the handle shaved, i like it. here are some pics from today, i got alot of welding done.

filler plate






next up is the other side, should be done tomorrow, im hoping

[1LoC10]

you have any cross bracing behind that gate?

[jrsmith_2010]

no, i just closed it and welded it

[jrsmith_2010]

got it all welded in, not to grind it down

[1LoC10]

what are you going to do about flex

[jrsmith_2010]

what do u mean?

[dammitmitchell]

wow the first angled picture my reaction was WAHT THE F____
then i realised it was the hole for the tailight ha ha ha ha ha
i r retarded some days

[1LoC10]

you cant just weld a tailgate in, you need to brace the back of the bedsides together... when you drive the sides will flex and it will crack the welds

[Walts_restoration]

No matter what you do its gonna flex, but i understand your worries. Do you have a diagram of how he should brace it? or maybe some pictures of what others have done?

[bigblock73]

I like partially shaved tailgates. Here are a couple OLD pics of my truck after the "first" resto when I was still living at home. I lost the handle but kept the letters.

Now this is jusy my opinion, but I have NEVER cared for welded tailgates. Even if the truck doesn't get used to haul anything, the next most important purpose of a truck is to have a tailgate to sit on when you are at the show or just hanging out with friends.

[1LoC10]

[andrewmp6]

Yeah welding on the tail gate will make the bed flex like hell.1loc10 showed the only way i know how to fix it.Jrsmith what are you using to weld with ?

[73chevyman]

Originally Posted by bigblock73

Now this is just my opinion, but I have NEVER cared for welded tailgates. Even if the truck doesn't get used to haul anything, the next most important purpose of a truck is to have a tailgate to sit on when you are at the show or just hanging out with friends.

i'm with you there always need a place to sit when your BSing lol

[73chevyman]

just a thought since your welding just about everything why don't you weld the fenders and hood and have it all flip reverse i think that would be kinda cool lookin

[jrsmith_2010]

wow its been awhile! they are almost done, ive been kinda puttin them off but ive almost got them done. I did reinforce the tailgate with angle iron in the inside casue the welds and filler kept crackin on me. so i still got some sanding in my future, but no more welding/grinding! here are some pics

[paruszkiewicz]

Lookin good are you going to fill in the bottem of the gate?

[jrsmith_2010]

thanks, umm im not sure, either do that or get an led strip for in there, not sure yet

[paruszkiewicz]

LED's would look sweet hey you forgot to cover your tag in that pic lol

[jrsmith_2010]

i fixed it

idk what im gonna do about the led light or to fill it in