Stupid me... dented the tailgate!

[68gmsee]

Well, I did have a pretty good tailgate on the old GMC and now I'm going to have to repair or replace it....

I was parked on an incline, tailgate down, stepped on the clutch and forgot I didn't have the hand brake on and hit a post.

Other than manufacturing my own, is there any other way I can fix or patch it? My intention is to try to hammer a piece of metal to roughly the same shape and then cut out the dented part and weld in the patch. Problem is I've never done metal bending or hammering before..

[BurnoutNova]

try a spot welder with a slide hammer, but that might not work to well you might have to cut it and make a patch.

or get a junk gate and cut a patch from it

[screamin_c10]

Originally Posted by BurnoutNova

or get a junk gate and cut a patch from it

That there is a damn good suggestion!!

[Longhorn Man]

Another option... maybe not the best option...
Hammer it a little so it isn't squashed out in front and back, and get a stainless cap for the top.
That's what A buddy of mine did when we were in high school. He backed into a poll and didn't have the nads to tell his dad what happened.

[BCOWANWHEELS]

that is a super easy fix by a good body man. let a pro do it and it will be done right and you,ll be alot happyer. use the spot weld pulling studs. you wont even need puddy.
JMO
bob

[68gmsee]

Thanks for suggestions. I know a guy that does body work on the side. Not sure if he's mostly a panel replacer but he has all the welding stuff.

If I don't feel comfortable with him, I'll look around for an old one at the junkyard first. I'd kinda like to keep it original as much as possible.

The stainless cap would be a last resort. I did have one on my 69 chevy but used it mostly for protecting the edge... I didn't care for the looks too much.

I'll play around with it and see what I come up with.