Tailgate Bands Pics/options/diy

[bitchin85]

if someone drew out the dimensions for me i could machine one up in no time.

i made those billet chevy bowties a while back

[68 TT]

Originally Posted by *****in85

if someone drew out the dimensions for me i could machine one up in no time.

i made those billet chevy bowties a while back

If we can get the dimensions from somebody I will put it into AutoCAD and create a dimensioned drawing that I will share with you and anyone else who wants it.

[Scootin 81 C20]

68 TT, if you make a billet one, I would take one, provided the price isn't too high. If I can get one, I'd take it without a brushed finish, I want to polish mine out to a shine.

[Ryan87]

I would say a nice one would be @least a grand.

[74 C-30]

Originally Posted by 68 TT

If we can get the dimensions from somebody I will put it into AutoCAD and create a dimensioned drawing that I will share with you and anyone else who wants it.

hmmm...milling time would be forever so it would cost alot....we have a plasmaCAM at school (CNC plasma cutter) that could cut the CHEVROLET out then do the outside shape, so you see the body color below (or add an insert. if you found someone with one of those to produce them, they can pop them out lickety-split. but it would be kinda crude.

[Big Port Jimmy 6]

Get me a file I got a buddy with a CNC that sits idle. I will get a qoute. Jay

[68 TT]

Originally Posted by Ryan87

I would say a nice one would be @least a grand.

About $12 for a piece of 1/4" x 3" x 48" 6061-T6 aluminum flat bar, 1/2-hour on a mill to cut the perimeter profile, edged bead detail and the lettering.

The lettering square edges would be rounded in some areas if you milled them out but you could minimize this to 1/16" radius with a second pass with a small cutter to just hit the rounded edges.

If plasma or water jet cut to remove the lettering areas completely and to get the basic shape cut out it would be about the same cost and the lettering would be crisp and square at all the edges.

You could then water jet or plasma cut out the individual letters and press fit them to the band. A proper .002" press fit with the band heated up and the letters frozen would never come apart.

With milled out lettering probably $200 and with water jet cut lettering probably $350 to $400 unless a small production run was done then the price would drop quite a bit.

You could also put a cover piece on the back side of the water jet cut band so nothing of the tail gate was visible through it pretty easily.

[68 TT]

Originally Posted by Big Port Jimmy 6

Get me a file I got a buddy with a CNC that sits idle. I will get a qoute. Jay

Thanks for the offer.

I will take some measurements on my truck this weekend and put together a cad file you can use to run by your friend.

Once we get original small band dimensions I will refine the shape to match but this won't change the milling costs.

I will overlay some of the pics of the small band to get the details of the lettering correct too.

More modern custom lettering and locations are easily possible too. I was thinking that the right hand side offset lettering would look better on these smaller bands.

[Anadrol]

Another totally different route-

I had a hot rod man take a look at this band (mine is all dented and effed up) and he said we should remove it, sand and paint whatever's under it, and then have an airbrush man come in and paint the band back on in 3-D airbrush style. I know, I know, it sounds pretty "Tokyo Drift" style, but I've seen this duder's work, and it's clean.

Pending costs and other options, you guys may see an example of that work real soon...

[3r!c84]

do it!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[68 TT]

Originally Posted by Anadrol

Another totally different route-

I had a hot rod man take a look at this band (mine is all dented and effed up) and he said we should remove it, sand and paint whatever's under it, and then have an airbrush man come in and paint the band back on in 3-D airbrush style. I know, I know, it sounds pretty "Tokyo Drift" style, but I've seen this duder's work, and it's clean.

Pending costs and other options, you guys may see an example of that work real soon...

I've done air brushed headlights and grille on a drag car that had to have a solid front end. It looked good but would have cost more than it was worth to me if I had to pay for it. My old neighbor that did air brush work for a living did it for free. All depends upon skill and experience as to how good it will look.

[JohnC]

I've seen some of the airbrush trim stuff and didn't care much for it. Don't get me wrong I appreciate all the work, and skill that went into it, but is just didn't look right.

[KQQL IT]

Originally Posted by JohnC

I know the pic isn't the best, but I don't notice any issues. If they are all hidden behind the band, then it's good for me. Sometimes engineering feats don't look so good on the inside, but they are awesome on the outside.

Blazer band pic Ive wanted to do this forever

[JohnC]

That looks good man! I like it!

[KQQL IT]

Originally Posted by JohnC

That looks good man! I like it!

Thank you. Now i have get the nerve to cut the dash out. And fab a 62 or 65 dash in it

[jlmerie]

There is a lot of good information here. Thanks for resurrecting the thread. It started me thinking. I went out and took pictures of tailgate bands I had stashed away. Maybe it will help someone see about them. In the picture from the top down the tailgate bands are: 1: 1981 GMC, 2: 1974 Chevy, 3: 1980 Blazer, 4: 1979 Chevy truck, 5: 1976 Chev Custom Deluxe truck, 6: 1974 Cheyenne truck. I believe these are correct, but perhaps not. I usually wrote the information on the back when I removed these. The last picture is the tailgate on my truck, (NO tailgate band, LOL)

[3r!c84]

what bumper is that off of?

[JohnC]

That's off a 88-98 truck.

[Scootin 81 C20]

Originally Posted by jlmerie

There is a lot of good information here. Thanks for resurrecting the thread. It started me thinking. I went out and took pictures of tailgate bands I had stashed away. Maybe it will help someone see about them. In the picture from the top down the tailgate bands are: 1: 1981 GMC, 2: 1974 Chevy, 3: 1980 Blazer, 4: 1979 Chevy truck, 5: 1976 Chev Custom Deluxe truck, 6: 1974 Cheyenne truck. I believe these are correct, but perhaps not. I usually wrote the information on the back when I removed these. The last picture is the tailgate on my truck, (NO tailgate band, LOL)

Can you get me a pic of the backside of the one with the actual CHEVROLET emblem on it. I am wondering if that emblem will fit my 81-87 band.

[jlmerie]

Here are pictures of the back. The cut out ends of the spacer piece on the back look weird. I don't know if someone cut these to fit or if they are original. JohnC is right about the bumper.

[71blksuper4x4]

nice console stash. Trevor

[Stitch]

+1...someone must be putting some stuff away to sell for retirement...lol

[79gmcc15]

Originally Posted by Fat Hoe

+1...someone must be putting some stuff away to sell for retirement...lol

no kidding, eh! now I know why they are rare!

[Stitch]

I have one...

[pat386]

wow, i really like the way the blazer band looks!!