Finishing off a stepside tailgate.

[RON WOODGEARD]

I just purchased on E-bay a stepside tailgate, it has the louvered insert and i don't care for it at all..And it's not finished off yet. It has also been converted over to using seatbelt locks to shut it. I don't like it either. Yea I know then why did I bid on it?? I'm asking myself the same question.

Anyway, I'm wondering if any one has done a complete smoothing on the outside of the tailgate. My train of thought is to add sheet metal to the outside and inside to smooth it from side to side. and I'm also kicking around the idea to cut out a BOWTIE on the outside sheet and install a light of some kind(probably neon) in between the panels so at night it would really show the bowtie off.

Does any of you have any kind of idea on a hidden latch that could be used that would be HIDDEN in between the panels????

RON

[XXL]

Pro's Pick has a hidden latch kit, as does CPP. I've got the CPP ones on my tailgate and I like how they work. One small 'flaw' in the setup is that the nylon straps that hold the gate horizontal are anchored in the sheetmetal of the rearmost stake pocket. This is just sheetmetal so with enough weight on the tailgate, it could tear out. The rule on my truck is 'nobody climbs on the tailgate!'

Kenneth

[RON WOODGEARD]

THANKS KENNETH,

I like the CCP ones, very clean and install looks simple yet hidden.

RON