Fixing bowed tailgate?

[Number21]

The tailgate on my '79 is in pretty good condition, except that it's bowed out a little bit in the center like somebody put something too heavy on it. Anybody have any thoughts on how to fix that? It's not very bad, you have to be looking for it to notice.

I was thinking maybe trying to hook a heavy strap between the tailgate and the front of the bed, and ratcheting it as tight as I can. I'll probably just end up bending the other end of the bed...

[Zane M]

You will probably just end up bending the front of the bed if you try what you were thinking.

I've never tried to repair a gate with a bow in it. I usually just replaced it.

Hopefully someone will come along with an idea.

[mbgmike]

Some body shops have the tool to do just that. Not many though

[hobsiscool]

i had a bowed tail gate, me and my dad put a 4x4 block under it and both stood on the ends...we gradually bounced a little and kept checking it til it was pretty straight...not rocket science, but hey it worked lol.