New Tailgate - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

bowtiebreece · 09-25-2007, 10:33 AM

After months of trying to find a good used tailgate. I decided to order a repoduction the repo came yestrday and I was wondering what if any prep work I should do to it. I am not going to be ready to paint the truck for a couple of months and currently do not have a compressor or a good place to spray the tailgate. I also live in florida about 1 mile from the beach so surface rust shows up very quickkly.

67ChevyRedneck · 09-25-2007, 10:36 AM

Leave it off and keep it inside until your ready for paint?

Make sure you have a good fit first though.

MotorSeven · 09-25-2007, 01:28 PM

Be real carefull handling it. I ended up with an aftermarket taligate that was on a '72 i bought...it is lightweight junk. The thing will bend just stepping or sitting on it. Unfortunatly, mine is a work truc so it gets bowed quite a bit. On the positive side, i can bend it back into shape by just pushing on it.......

RD

BCOWANWHEELS · 09-25-2007, 01:45 PM

wow didnt realize they were so weak. good to know.
bob

PICKMUP · 09-25-2007, 02:30 PM

They are NOT that weak. You can't bend them by sitting or standing on them. That is one of the old smooth $99 TGs from years ago, that was that thin...
It's like an old ghost story that goes on-and-on. It is not true, but it gets told so many time that people believe it.
If you want one to haul hay bales, go get a beat up used one. If you want one that is straight, looks good and low cost...get a new repro...and do fit it first. lol

glock35ipsc · 09-25-2007, 02:34 PM

I say they are too thin when I go to open the latch, put my right thumb on the skin to leverage up the latch, and watch it crease with my own eyes. I have yet to see an aftermarket gate that is as tough as my factory replacement gate on the 70.

68gmsee · 09-25-2007, 03:06 PM

Does anyone know what guage the aftermarkets are?

I am fixing my original tailgate on my GMC and it looks like it's about a 16 guage but not sure since I don't have a guage to measure with.

BigSky71 · 09-25-2007, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PICKMUP

If you want one to haul hay bales, go get a beat up used one. If you want one that is straight, looks good and low cost...get a new repro...and do fit it first. lol

Yea, do test fit it. I bought an aftermarket tailgate, took a few evenings to get the sides to match the bedsides.

70GMCer · 09-25-2007, 03:36 PM

I think there are different after market gates. The one I have is heavy duty fleet smoth one and I've sat on it and stood on it.....I weigh 200 lbs. I bought it off a guy at Carlisle, Pa. Truck Nats. 2 yrs. ago. Didn't ask where he bought it.....$70.00 couldn't pass it up.....

19673ontree · 09-25-2007, 05:32 PM

I have one of the $400 heavy gauge repro's with the factory lettering on my 67 and I have done at home bodywork for 20 year's , the gauge thickness is fine ! the look of it is GREAT !!
the fit of it is &^$%#9*&^##^7 dam &%#@%*&*(F*&^^% ing *^$@@$
AWFULL!

I was determined and as with everthing else on these truck's they ain't no use to look for a used one or I would have took a sledge hammer to mine ,,
but anyway if you are in the right mood and you want your truck fixed as bad as I did you can get the dam%&* f(&#$%*ING thing to fit

bowtiebreece · 09-26-2007, 09:58 AM

Thanks for the advice, I am new to the body work department will the tailgate need metal work if it dosent fit correctly or is it just a pain in the a$$ to get the alignment correct when bolting it on

BigSky71 · 09-26-2007, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bowtiebreece

Thanks for the advice, I am new to the body work department will the tailgate need metal work if it dosent fit correctly or is it just a pain in the a$$ to get the alignment correct when bolting it on

It depends on what level of finish you are looking for. If you want it really nice, then I suspect you will have to fix some blemishes with filler and then build primer. On mine, the spot welds at the edges needed attention.

If you just want a nice replacement that matches and isn't beat up, then you can likely just paint it and install it.

Huck · 09-26-2007, 05:11 PM

Back to your original question---once fitted correctly--you can paint it with a quality epoxy primer which will seal the metal and protect if from moisture and surface rust. When ready to paint it, just need to clean it with appropriate fluid, lightly sand then finish prime---and it will be ready for top coat.
The old aftermarket tailgates were really weak. The newer one's are stronger but you still have to really check the fit as I have found the end caps that fit inside the tailgate are often installed incorrectly and allow for all sorts of wierd fitment issues. The other common complaint is that they are not spot welded front to back on the center section that strengthens the originals. If you can't find a really good original, the current aftermarket is workable for most applications. Good Luck~~Huck

LUV2XCLR8 · 09-26-2007, 05:15 PM

The PO bought this Repop from GMC Paul, and it is really Stout

19673ontree · 09-26-2007, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bowtiebreece

Thanks for the advice, I am new to the body work department will the tailgate need metal work if it dosent fit correctly or is it just a pain in the a$$ to get the alignment correct when bolting it on

it won't fit on the side's where it lines up with the bed , they end up sticking out past the bed , in other word's it look's like the tailgate is not shut all the way ,,, several different way's to fix it , the inner side support's welded inside the end's are what cause's the problem they are not formed right ,

19673ontree · 09-26-2007, 05:55 PM

no amount of ajusting it with bolt's will help , much

68gmsee · 09-26-2007, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 19673ontree

no amount of ajusting it with bolt's will help , much

Is the solution to cut the welds and reweld them?

I'm thinking of buying a tailgate also and want to make sure I don't get stuck with a dud.

19673ontree · 09-26-2007, 09:50 PM

as a home bodyman (FUNNY HUH) I am gonna say the correct way to fix one of the tailgate's would be to simply remove the inner structure support's from your old tailgate (THICK STUFF THEY WONT BE HURT) and remove the missformed one's from the new tailgate then reweld the old one in to the new gate ! a lot of work yes ! worth it ? maybe ,
another way (WHAT I DID) is to not worry about the tailgate and just make the bedside's fit the tailgate (WASN'T THAT HARD) mine lines up better than it did when it was new !! I get comment's on the fit of the tailgate all the time

PICKMUP · 09-26-2007, 10:43 PM

Will someone please show the inner structure supports that are not shaped right...I don't know what that is and want to check some of them.

19673ontree · 09-26-2007, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PICKMUP

Will someone please show the inner structure supports that are not shaped right...I don't know what that is and want to check some of them.

it's the heavy gauge support's that the latch catch is bolted to , one on each side , the outer skin is spot welded to them ,
the exact problem with the repo ones is that they are too thick and they cause the inner and out skin to be too wide ,
I have an old tailgate already cut apart ,

these original side supports are made correctly and match the curve of the bedsides

09-25-2007, 10:33 AM	#1
bowtiebreece Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: St. Petersburg Florida Posts: 23	New Tailgate After months of trying to find a good used tailgate. I decided to order a repoduction the repo came yestrday and I was wondering what if any prep work I should do to it. I am not going to be ready to paint the truck for a couple of months and currently do not have a compressor or a good place to spray the tailgate. I also live in florida about 1 mile from the beach so surface rust shows up very quickkly.

09-25-2007, 10:36 AM	#2
67ChevyRedneck Hittin E-Z Street on Mud Tires Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 23,090	Re: New Tailgate Leave it off and keep it inside until your ready for paint? Make sure you have a good fit first though. __________________ Jesse James 1967 C10 SWB Stepside: 350/700R4/3.73 1965 Ford Mustang: 289/T5-5spd/3.25 Trac-Loc 1968 Pontiac Firebird: Project Fire Chicken! 2015 Silverado Double Cab 5.3L Z71 2001 Jeep Wrangler Sport 4.0L 5spd 2020 Chevrolet Equinox Premium 2.0L Turbo 2011 Mustang V6 ~ Wife's ride American Born, Country by the Grace of God 1967 CST Shop Truck Rebuild! My 1967 C-10 Build Thread My Vintage Air A/C Install Project "On a Dime" Trying my hand at Home Renovation! 1965 Mustang Modifications! Last edited by 67ChevyRedneck; 09-25-2007 at 10:36 AM.

09-25-2007, 01:28 PM	#3
MotorSeven Restoration Desperation Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Tennessee Posts: 373	Re: New Tailgate Be real carefull handling it. I ended up with an aftermarket taligate that was on a '72 i bought...it is lightweight junk. The thing will bend just stepping or sitting on it. Unfortunatly, mine is a work truc so it gets bowed quite a bit. On the positive side, i can bend it back into shape by just pushing on it....... RD

09-25-2007, 01:45 PM	#4
BCOWANWHEELS Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: KINGSPORT,TN. Posts: 3,035	Re: New Tailgate wow didnt realize they were so weak. good to know. bob __________________ I BELIEVE IN JOHN 3:16

09-25-2007, 02:30 PM	#5
PICKMUP "Trucks with Class" Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: OLYMPIA, WA, USA Posts: 8,144	Re: New Tailgate They are NOT that weak. You can't bend them by sitting or standing on them. That is one of the old smooth $99 TGs from years ago, that was that thin... It's like an old ghost story that goes on-and-on. It is not true, but it gets told so many time that people believe it. If you want one to haul hay bales, go get a beat up used one. If you want one that is straight, looks good and low cost...get a new repro...and do fit it first. lol

09-25-2007, 02:34 PM	#6
glock35ipsc Next project: 1970 K10 Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Fort Collins, Colo 80524 Posts: 6,685	Re: New Tailgate I say they are too thin when I go to open the latch, put my right thumb on the skin to leverage up the latch, and watch it crease with my own eyes. I have yet to see an aftermarket gate that is as tough as my factory replacement gate on the 70. __________________ *Bob* 1970 Chevy K10 LWB "Goldie" 350/TH350 *next project!!* 1981 Chevy C10 LWB 355/TH350 - My son's truck LS SWAP FORUM! Tons of LS swap info here! PLEASE CLICK HERE TO SUPPORT THE GREATEST BOARD ON THE NET! CLICK HERE FOR THE FAQ INDEX by KRUE

09-25-2007, 03:06 PM	#7
68gmsee Active Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Centrally located between Houston, Austin and Waco. BCS area. Posts: 7,947	Re: New Tailgate Does anyone know what guage the aftermarkets are? I am fixing my original tailgate on my GMC and it looks like it's about a 16 guage but not sure since I don't have a guage to measure with.

09-25-2007, 03:36 PM	#9
70GMCer Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Joppa, Maryland Posts: 4,408	Re: New Tailgate I think there are different after market gates. The one I have is heavy duty fleet smoth one and I've sat on it and stood on it.....I weigh 200 lbs. I bought it off a guy at Carlisle, Pa. Truck Nats. 2 yrs. ago. Didn't ask where he bought it.....$70.00 couldn't pass it up..... __________________ 1997 GMC Sierra Ext 1965 Mustang

09-25-2007, 05:32 PM	#10
19673ontree CAN'T FIX NOTHIN Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: SOUTHRUST VIRGINIA !!! Posts: 2,112	Re: New Tailgate I have one of the $400 heavy gauge repro's with the factory lettering on my 67 and I have done at home bodywork for 20 year's , the gauge thickness is fine ! the look of it is GREAT !! the fit of it is &^$%#9&^##^7 dam &%#@%&(F&^^% ing ^$@@$ AWFULL! I was determined and as with everthing else on these truck's they ain't no use to look for a used one or I would have took a sledge hammer to mine ,, but anyway if you are in the right mood and you want your truck fixed as bad as I did you can get the dam%& f(&#$%ING thing to fit Attached Images __________________ 1967 C10 Shortbed Fleetside Small back glass 6 cyl 3spd on the tree 3.08 gears underdash AC Last edited by 19673ontree; 09-25-2007 at 05:34 PM.*

09-26-2007, 09:58 AM	#11
bowtiebreece Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: St. Petersburg Florida Posts: 23	Re: New Tailgate Thanks for the advice, I am new to the body work department will the tailgate need metal work if it dosent fit correctly or is it just a pain in the a$$ to get the alignment correct when bolting it on

09-26-2007, 05:11 PM	#13
Huck Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Shelbyville, KY Posts: 3,269	Re: New Tailgate Back to your original question---once fitted correctly--you can paint it with a quality epoxy primer which will seal the metal and protect if from moisture and surface rust. When ready to paint it, just need to clean it with appropriate fluid, lightly sand then finish prime---and it will be ready for top coat. The old aftermarket tailgates were really weak. The newer one's are stronger but you still have to really check the fit as I have found the end caps that fit inside the tailgate are often installed incorrectly and allow for all sorts of wierd fitment issues. The other common complaint is that they are not spot welded front to back on the center section that strengthens the originals. If you can't find a really good original, the current aftermarket is workable for most applications. Good Luck~~Huck

09-26-2007, 05:15 PM	#14
LUV2XCLR8 The LuvShack Garage Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Maple Grove, TN (West Side) Posts: 30,484	Re: New Tailgate The PO bought this Repop from GMC Paul, and it is really Stout Attached Images __________________ Owner/Op: "TN Classic Transport Carriers" The Toy: "Square Vette" 72 Hybrid Blazer Toy Barn: "LuvShack" 40 x 60 x 20 Shop Tow Piggy:"Maddy" 88 Silverado 3500 Hauler: "Feathers" 14 Aluma 8218T

09-26-2007, 05:55 PM	#16
19673ontree CAN'T FIX NOTHIN Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: SOUTHRUST VIRGINIA !!! Posts: 2,112	Re: New Tailgate no amount of ajusting it with bolt's will help , much __________________ 1967 C10 Shortbed Fleetside Small back glass 6 cyl 3spd on the tree 3.08 gears underdash AC

09-26-2007, 09:50 PM	#18
19673ontree CAN'T FIX NOTHIN Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: SOUTHRUST VIRGINIA !!! Posts: 2,112	Re: New Tailgate as a home bodyman (FUNNY HUH) I am gonna say the correct way to fix one of the tailgate's would be to simply remove the inner structure support's from your old tailgate (THICK STUFF THEY WONT BE HURT) and remove the missformed one's from the new tailgate then reweld the old one in to the new gate ! a lot of work yes ! worth it ? maybe , another way (WHAT I DID) is to not worry about the tailgate and just make the bedside's fit the tailgate (WASN'T THAT HARD) mine lines up better than it did when it was new !! I get comment's on the fit of the tailgate all the time Attached Images __________________ 1967 C10 Shortbed Fleetside Small back glass 6 cyl 3spd on the tree 3.08 gears underdash AC

09-26-2007, 10:43 PM	#19
PICKMUP "Trucks with Class" Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: OLYMPIA, WA, USA Posts: 8,144	Re: New Tailgate Will someone please show the inner structure supports that are not shaped right...I don't know what that is and want to check some of them.



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