FIRST LOOK....Frenched tailgate - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

ebfabman · 11-16-2002, 09:47 PM

Here is a frenched tailgate concept I've been thinking about for a while. It is a mock up using junk parts, as can be seen by looking at the bottom of the tailgate.
I think I'll stare at it a while and decide if I like it and what changes to make to improve on it.
I'd like some feed back.

Your thoughts guys and gals.................

ebfabman · 11-16-2002, 09:51 PM

one more

Tyler_69C10 · 11-16-2002, 10:06 PM

Wow. You sir, are a metal-work magician.

Dean23 · 11-16-2002, 10:16 PM

Lookin cool need to see more. You could come up here and mess around with my 68 for a while.....

KP1972 · 11-16-2002, 10:23 PM

the top part looks fantastic!! Now, the scalloped part looks a bit too radical for the over all straight lines of the tailgate and tail light! Great metal work!!!!

brad2 · 11-16-2002, 10:31 PM

It's not doing it for me. Maybe a little to busy. Nice work though.

XXL · 11-16-2002, 10:39 PM

Sure, be different! It's hard to tell in unfinished steel but does the french on the lights come out at an angle to the external metal? That would look pretty cool if the frenched part flowed out at a 45 degree angle or so and had a small arc in it. Hard to describe...

Kenneth

ebfabman · 11-16-2002, 10:46 PM

XXL, I think I know what you mean. Maybe a smoother flow.........

Thats why I did just one side to start with.

Bowed · 11-16-2002, 11:25 PM

Starts off real good at the top but looses some thing when it gets to the tail light . If I can suggest a possibility , How about the rear tip of a" right " bed side to match the lines of the out side of the "left " bed side but using the right piece all the way down to the bottom , then the lines would match all around .Then the tail light could be repositioned for balance or a custom light installed . I saw that done on a F@$d unibody pickup and it looked very smooth . Just a suggestion.

O'l Buck · 11-17-2002, 01:45 AM

I love it!!!!! your a genious eb....... great work, I wanna see the finished product

LS1 K-5 Blazer · 11-17-2002, 01:53 AM

I like it. Very nice work.

stllookn · 11-17-2002, 02:11 AM

Earl, Sort of reminds me of a Cameo. I would like smoother lines...I like your thought process...dare to be different!

MOTHERTRUCKERS · 11-17-2002, 11:01 AM

What about moving the left reverse light to the right lower below the tail light and moving the tail light up in the fender or getting rid of the reverse light and making a frenched in new tail light lens that fits the contour or ???????. How about, what if, maybe, oohh put the tail light in the rollpan horizonally along with suburban reverse lights and fill in the old tail light holes in the bed? or cadillac sts tail lights, flush mount billet tail lights, hideaway tail lights, red side marker light with trim tail lights, 57-62 or 63-67 vette tail lights, oohh graft a 57 bel air tail light into it with the gas filler door, early t-bird sequencial (spelling) tail lights, 40 ford tail lights and nerf bars. o.k. i'm done, been up to long, BTY LOOKIN GOOD!! NOT MANY TIN MEN LEFT ANYMORE.

(quote from a former employee working on a 48 chevy truck front fender)
Ya I can make that piece on my (english) wheel and lead it in with the torch and butter, no problem!

ebfabman · 11-17-2002, 01:11 PM

Thanks for all the feed back. What I want to do is create an enhancement to the rear of our trucks that is a bolt on so all the mods are in the tailgate only. I like the stock bedsides and don't want to make any changes to them, so all that has to be done to make the rear stock appearing again is just replace the tailgate with an un modified one. After reading what you guys said and looking at it, I think what would look best is a) a smooth tailgate and b) instead of turning into the tailgate, smooth the lines to "flow" into the tail gate.

Ok, back to work....................

**BIG ORANGE** · 11-17-2002, 04:20 PM

I was thinking the same thing that stlookin said about the cameo.
Earl are you sending me the gas tank neck blankoff I'm trying to gather up all the piece's so I can knock a good dent in it Dec. I'm off all month,that tailgate looks smooth.

ebfabman · 11-17-2002, 04:28 PM

Donnie, got your PM. I'll cut one out and send it your way. Let me know if you need my help with anything.

BTW, check out my new avatar

XXL · 11-17-2002, 08:53 PM

I noticed your new avatar. Here's an animation of it if you want. I set it to only loop a few times as it might drive you nuts otherwise...

Kenneth

jmil1974 · 11-18-2002, 09:45 AM

Well, I don't like it so far BUT it's hard for me to say for sure in metal and in such a tight shot. Regardless, there's one thing I CAN say for sure . . . you do amazingly nice work. Very smooth.

katdaddy · 11-18-2002, 10:40 AM

Efabman, is there any place in our area that we can get some powder coating done and can they handle a chassis??

ebfabman · 11-18-2002, 03:59 PM

katdaddy, you would sure think there would be around here. Haven't had anything as big as a frame powered coated but I'd bet there is someone in our area that does it. Maybe some of the other Carolina members could help on this.

Iron-Butt · 11-18-2002, 05:15 PM

The tail gate looks good. I think it is to busy. But you always want your truck to be different from the others. Good work.

chevy2racr · 11-18-2002, 06:27 PM

well man, If you don'tend up liking that you coud finish it on the otherside and give it to me, I'd bolt it on for sure, it'd be a hell of a lot cooler than my wind net....

70chevy · 12-30-2002, 11:41 AM

Here is where I had mine done. 20 minutes west of Charlotte right off of I-85.

R & R Powder Coating
148 Boxwood Lane
Gastonia, NC 28054
704-85-0727

~72'Pete~ · 12-30-2002, 02:56 PM

I really like it!

~72~Pete

nitor · 12-30-2002, 04:49 PM

You do good work!!

11-16-2002, 09:47 PM	#1
ebfabman Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Concord, NC Posts: 2,488	FIRST LOOK....Frenched tailgate Here is a frenched tailgate concept I've been thinking about for a while. It is a mock up using junk parts, as can be seen by looking at the bottom of the tailgate. I think I'll stare at it a while and decide if I like it and what changes to make to improve on it. I'd like some feed back. Your thoughts guys and gals................. Attached Images Last edited by ebfabman; 11-17-2002 at 03:03 PM.

11-16-2002, 09:51 PM	#2
ebfabman Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Concord, NC Posts: 2,488	one more Attached Images

11-16-2002, 10:06 PM	#3
Tyler_69C10 Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Location: Sidney, BC, Canada Posts: 63	Wow. You sir, are a metal-work magician. __________________ 1969 Chevy C/10 LWB A great work truck!

11-16-2002, 10:16 PM	#4
Dean23 68cst_ss490 Join Date: May 2001 Location: edmonton,canada Posts: 1,363	Lookin cool need to see more. You could come up here and mess around with my 68 for a while..... __________________ Dean edmonton,canada a winter wonderland 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche LT cold air intake, performance exhaust, Comp cams cam, jba shorty ceramic headers. http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3090973

11-16-2002, 10:23 PM	#5
KP1972 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Mansfield Texas Posts: 645	the top part looks fantastic!! Now, the scalloped part looks a bit too radical for the over all straight lines of the tailgate and tail light! Great metal work!!!! __________________ 1972 Chevy Custom/10 www.PictureTrail.com/KP1972 Metroplex Muscle Car Club www.PictureTrail.com/DreamCarArt

11-16-2002, 10:31 PM	#6
brad2 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: edmond, ok Posts: 1,056	It's not doing it for me. Maybe a little to busy. Nice work though.

11-16-2002, 10:39 PM	#7
XXL Señor Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Edge of the world Posts: 5,367	Sure, be different! It's hard to tell in unfinished steel but does the french on the lights come out at an angle to the external metal? That would look pretty cool if the frenched part flowed out at a 45 degree angle or so and had a small arc in it. Hard to describe... Kenneth __________________ Craigslist \| ebay \| Engrishtees \| www.myattitudesucks.com \| Follow me on Twitter

11-16-2002, 10:46 PM	#8
ebfabman Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Concord, NC Posts: 2,488	XXL, I think I know what you mean. Maybe a smoother flow......... Thats why I did just one side to start with.

11-16-2002, 11:25 PM	#9
Bowed Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: where it's hot Posts: 1,059	Starts off real good at the top but looses some thing when it gets to the tail light . If I can suggest a possibility , How about the rear tip of a" right " bed side to match the lines of the out side of the "left " bed side but using the right piece all the way down to the bottom , then the lines would match all around .Then the tail light could be repositioned for balance or a custom light installed . I saw that done on a F@$d unibody pickup and it looked very smooth . Just a suggestion.

11-17-2002, 01:45 AM	#10
O'l Buck Recovering Truck Driver Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Orleans, NE USA Posts: 1,883	I love it!!!!! your a genious eb....... great work, I wanna see the finished product __________________ 67 K-20 350, SM465, Eaton rear, 4.56 no spin option 00 Dodge 2500 4x4, 24V cummins, 5 speed Chad South Central Nebraska

11-17-2002, 01:53 AM	#11
LS1 K-5 Blazer Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Bremerton, Wa Posts: 102	I like it. Very nice work. __________________ Mike Friend 2004 Chevy Silverado 4x4 1971 K-5 Blazer

11-17-2002, 02:11 AM	#12
stllookn Saving 1 truck at a time! Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Kent, WA Posts: 6,465	Earl, Sort of reminds me of a Cameo. I would like smoother lines...I like your thought process...dare to be different! __________________ '68 C20 Longhorn 50th Anniversary 400/TH400 '68 C20 Longhorn 50th Anniversary 468/TH400w/buckets '72 C20 Halfhorn (Longhorn w/o cab and front clip) '69 Flxible Cruiser (look up ugly in the dictionary)

11-17-2002, 11:01 AM	#13
MOTHERTRUCKERS Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: BRADENTON FLA Posts: 3,269	What about moving the left reverse light to the right lower below the tail light and moving the tail light up in the fender or getting rid of the reverse light and making a frenched in new tail light lens that fits the contour or ???????. How about, what if, maybe, oohh put the tail light in the rollpan horizonally along with suburban reverse lights and fill in the old tail light holes in the bed? or cadillac sts tail lights, flush mount billet tail lights, hideaway tail lights, red side marker light with trim tail lights, 57-62 or 63-67 vette tail lights, oohh graft a 57 bel air tail light into it with the gas filler door, early t-bird sequencial (spelling) tail lights, 40 ford tail lights and nerf bars. o.k. i'm done, been up to long, BTY LOOKIN GOOD!! NOT MANY TIN MEN LEFT ANYMORE. (quote from a former employee working on a 48 chevy truck front fender) Ya I can make that piece on my (english) wheel and lead it in with the torch and butter, no problem! __________________ Rest in Peace Ed. Thanks for all the good times.

11-17-2002, 01:11 PM	#14
ebfabman Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Concord, NC Posts: 2,488	Thanks for all the feed back. What I want to do is create an enhancement to the rear of our trucks that is a bolt on so all the mods are in the tailgate only. I like the stock bedsides and don't want to make any changes to them, so all that has to be done to make the rear stock appearing again is just replace the tailgate with an un modified one. After reading what you guys said and looking at it, I think what would look best is a) a smooth tailgate and b) instead of turning into the tailgate, smooth the lines to "flow" into the tail gate. Ok, back to work....................

11-17-2002, 04:20 PM	#15
BIG ORANGE Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Lancaster S.C. Posts: 4,764	cool tailgate I was thinking the same thing that stlookin said about the cameo. Earl are you sending me the gas tank neck blankoff I'm trying to gather up all the piece's so I can knock a good dent in it Dec. I'm off all month,that tailgate looks smooth. __________________ Things happen for a reason!



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11-17-2002, 04:28 PM	#16
ebfabman Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Concord, NC Posts: 2,488	Donnie, got your PM. I'll cut one out and send it your way. Let me know if you need my help with anything. BTW, check out my new avatar

11-17-2002, 08:53 PM	#17
XXL Señor Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Edge of the world Posts: 5,367	I noticed your new avatar. Here's an animation of it if you want. I set it to only loop a few times as it might drive you nuts otherwise... Kenneth Attached Images __________________ Craigslist \| ebay \| Engrishtees \| www.myattitudesucks.com \| Follow me on Twitter

11-18-2002, 09:45 AM	#18
jmil1974 Ain't we cute? Join Date: May 2002 Location: Friendswood, TX Posts: 700	Well, I don't like it so far BUT it's hard for me to say for sure in metal and in such a tight shot. Regardless, there's one thing I CAN say for sure . . . you do amazingly nice work. Very smooth. __________________ 69 C10 2WD LWB Fleet 350/350 power front disc conversion (6 lug disc kit from gmcpauls) and new engine, PS, A/C, fresh fluids, SHE DRIVES! FOR SALE $3900

11-18-2002, 10:40 AM	#19
katdaddy Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Wadesboro, NC Posts: 62	Efabman, is there any place in our area that we can get some powder coating done and can they handle a chassis??

11-18-2002, 03:59 PM	#20
ebfabman Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Concord, NC Posts: 2,488	katdaddy, you would sure think there would be around here. Haven't had anything as big as a frame powered coated but I'd bet there is someone in our area that does it. Maybe some of the other Carolina members could help on this.

11-18-2002, 05:15 PM	#21
Iron-Butt 454 club Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 1,348	lots of work The tail gate looks good. I think it is to busy. But you always want your truck to be different from the others. Good work. __________________ David 1965 Chevrolet c-10 454 automatic Custom bbw swb. 1965 Chevrolet C-10 swb (Sold) 1963 Chevrolet C-10 6 Cyl automatic with dual exhaust, pb, ps and 17's. R.I.P "I will miss you. 1967 Chevrolet C-10 6 Cyl Custom lwb 1939 Chevrolet Coupe, 350 v8 automatic. 1935 Chevrolet 2 Dr Standard in the works. 2015 Harley Davidson Street Glide. 2023 Chevrolet Stingray Z51 Convertible. I never want to grow up.

11-18-2002, 06:27 PM	#22
chevy2racr So Many Ideas, So Little Money Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Marshalltown, IA Posts: 1,610	well man, If you don'tend up liking that you coud finish it on the otherside and give it to me, I'd bolt it on for sure, it'd be a hell of a lot cooler than my wind net.... __________________ 72 Blazer 3/4 ton running gear 4.10s NP205/TH350 350 4in lift half doors 71 C10 with 454 99 S-10 5.1L SBC 700R4 09 Malibu Marshalltown, Iowa

12-30-2002, 11:41 AM	#23
70chevy Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Cherryville, NC Posts: 147	Powder Coating Here is where I had mine done. 20 minutes west of Charlotte right off of I-85. R & R Powder Coating 148 Boxwood Lane Gastonia, NC 28054 704-85-0727 __________________ Ken Smith 99 C5 Torch Red Coupe 85 Chevy Candy Apple 70 Chevy 1/2 in process.Semi-gloss black powdercoated frame & suspension, disc brakes up front, 3" drop spindle(Beltech) 5 lug 3.73 rearend, ZZ4, Sanderson headers, 700R4, Air Ride system, Summitt 16 gal fuel cell, Holly mech. fuel pump,

12-30-2002, 02:56 PM	#24
~72'Pete~ Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: California Posts: 139	Custom Baby I really like it! ~72~Pete

12-30-2002, 04:49 PM	#25
nitor Too many projects Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Morrow, OH Posts: 344	You do good work!! __________________ Jim '55 Chevrolet Pickup '56 Chevrolet Belair '04 Chevrolet Astro '95 Chevrolet Blazer

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