Foolish to think I can find a hugger orange tailgate?

[jtinpdx]

Hi All,
I've got a 71 C10 in hugger orange that's very straight with almost no rust. The wear that's there is patina that I'd be happy keeping. I may or may not want to paint the truck someday. But the tailgate's shot. It works, but it's fully bowed out. The PO, let some heavy weight stuff slide into it and bend it out.

Ideally, I could find a decent tailgate in hugger orange so that I'm not forced to paint anything soon if I choose not to.

What are the odds of that?

Thanks,
Jeff

[BB72CHEVKT]

I found a perfect patina tailgate for me SWB on craigslist that was a perfect match. I paid $80 for it. It was easily a $300-500 tailgate. I admit I totally lucked out.

[Jahloha]

Good luck in your search! I dont have one, but Hugger Orange is by far one of the best colors on these trucks. If you ever do paint it, hope you keep it hugger.

[jtinpdx]

Originally Posted by Jahloha

Good luck in your search! I dont have one, but Hugger Orange is by far one of the best colors on these trucks. If you ever do paint it, hope you keep it hugger.

If I paint it, it'll be hugger orange for sure. No doubt about it.

[AirSpeed]

My tailgate was bowed out about six inches, it wouldn't even latch because the latches were about a half inch away from the bed. I stood it up next to a post in my shop and put a 2x4 against it then slowly clamped it up, tightening several clamps sequentially until it was straight. Mine had several tears in it around the handle it was so bent but I welded all the tears up and repainted it. You would never know it had been so bowed. If yours isn't torn you should be able to straighten it out and not have to repaint.

[bs46488]

Prices on tailgates are insane. If I even saw an ad for a tailgate for $80, I'd just buy it.

Jeff, do you know the paint code of your truck? I think my truck was originally that color and I'm interested in shooting that color on the re-spray

[AirSpeed]

Originally Posted by bs46488

Prices on tailgates are insane. If I even saw an ad for a tailgate for $80, I'd just buy it.

Jeff, do you know the paint code of your truck? I think my truck was originally that color and I'm interested in shooting that color on the re-spray

I was originally going to paint my truck Hugger orange but had them modify the color to make it brighter. Got my code at a automotive paint supply. They had two codes for Hugger Orange, one was from the late sixties to early seventies, and another from later, you of course would want the earlier if you go that route. When they mixed a sample for me I held it up to a hidden area under the dash of a blazer I know that had original hugger on it and it looked perfect.

[1972BlueC20]

not sure the color of this one, and it's not in great condition, also local pickup only...but if it will work you may be able to convince the owner to ship for the right price!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1967-1972-Ch...f9d6e4&vxp=mtr

[Sicklajoie]

You can't go wrong with orange!

[1972BlueC20]

I love your truck man!!! It's beautiful...I might eventually put those same tires and wheels on mine.....right now I'm fixing to drop a new crate engine in mine first!!! LOL

[1972BlueC20]

sorry not trying to hijack your thread.....I gave a link to a tailgate but I don't think it's nice enough or the right color....i'll keep looking for ya!

[jtinpdx]

Originally Posted by AirSpeed

My tailgate was bowed out about six inches, it wouldn't even latch because the latches were about a half inch away from the bed. I stood it up next to a post in my shop and put a 2x4 against it then slowly clamped it up, tightening several clamps sequentially until it was straight. Mine had several tears in it around the handle it was so bent but I welded all the tears up and repainted it. You would never know it had been so bowed. If yours isn't torn you should be able to straighten it out and not have to repaint.

Worth a shot. Not sure I have the space and tools to do it, but I'll keep this in mind. Appreciate the tip!

-Jeff

[jtinpdx]

Originally Posted by Sicklajoie

You can't go wrong with orange!

Damn! That's my truck! With a lot of TLC and new paint. Looks awesome!

Don't suppose you'd part with your tailgate?

-Jeff

[jtinpdx]

Originally Posted by 1972BlueC20

I love your truck man!!! It's beautiful...I might eventually put those same tires and wheels on mine.....right now I'm fixing to drop a new crate engine in mine first!!! LOL

Beautiful truck! Thanks for the tips on ebay gate. Might be worth a try, but yeah, that's different color for sure. Appreciate the help!

-Jeff

[Sicklajoie]

Originally Posted by jtinpdx

Damn! That's my truck! With a lot of TLC and new paint. Looks awesome!

Don't suppose you'd part with your tailgate?

-Jeff

Thanks!

[AirSpeed]

Originally Posted by jtinpdx

Worth a shot. Not sure I have the space and tools to do it, but I'll keep this in mind. Appreciate the tip!

-Jeff

A friend of mine straightened his out by laying a sheet of plywood on his tailgate then a couple short pieces of 2X6 and drove his truck right on it! Worked just fine! Heck if you don't have space or tools and don't care too much about the gate it's worth a shot! Good luck either way.

[jtinpdx]

Originally Posted by bs46488

Prices on tailgates are insane. If I even saw an ad for a tailgate for $80, I'd just buy it.

Jeff, do you know the paint code of your truck? I think my truck was originally that color and I'm interested in shooting that color on the re-spray

I don't think I do. Bought the truck a few months ago, but as far as I can tell the paint's original. It's not listed on the SPID is it? It just says Hugger Orange on the SPID.

-Jeff

[Mr Handy]

I won't think you are crazy if you wont thin I am, I'm looking for a driver side front fender and a pair of rust free doors in medium green for my 70 for the same reason...
I got a beautiful rust free bed/tailgate, nice hood and good passenger front fender off a med green 71 and thought what the heck lets keep lookin and maybe I will only have to paint the cab. also got the original inner fenders off the 71 still have the stickers and the passenger side only needed a small patch under the battery.

[stomper]

I'm hoping for the same thing. That reminds me! I saw a nice hugger orange one on a green truck the other day. I gotta swing by and knock on the door soon. They're out there.

[jtinpdx]

I didn't find a hugger orange replacement exactly, but found the next best thing.
Saw a white 68 tailgate on CL. In good shape but with one dent. But straight! 100 bucks.

When I go to look at it. Found out that the guy selling it is a body/paint guy. And a fan of 67-72s. Was building out one in his garage.

And oh, thinks he might have half a can of hugger orange left from an old job.

Agrees to fix the dent an paint it for me! I'll post pics when I get it back. I'm sure it'll look much newer and shinier than the rest of the paint. But I'll take that.

-Jeff

[jtinpdx]

Result! Got the tailgate back and it looks pretty good. Definitely brighter and shinier than the truck, but not too bad. And it's straight and rust free. For a total of $390.

-JT

[AirSpeed]

I would have done it for FREE! But alas, you're to far away! Nice truck!

[57taskforce]

I Love hugger! I really think that color was made just for these trucks sometimes. I can't wait to get mine finished and looking good like that

[jacob822]

I've gotta ask, I see you're from Portland jtinpdx, are you the guy that had the ad up on craigslist searching for an orange tailgate for the past couple months? I noticed the ad gone and figured you had found one! good to see another Portland area c10 fan, maybe we can keep eyes out for parts for each other!

[JRE]

It's good to see some locals on here. The tailgate looks great. FYI there is a local get together tomorrow sat the 20th at 2 pm at Bj's pizza in Janzen beach