LMC tailgate

[FlameOut]

I'm about to place a large order (over$1500) with someone in hopes off free shipping and noticed that LMC says their tailgates are "GM Restoration Parts - OE quality reproductions". I was just wondering if they are sill Dynacorn, goodmark or one of the other Chinese repops. Also, anyone that has one of these from LMC, how is the fit?

With the tailgate, complete set of moldings and other parts, I qualify for free shipping at LMC, but I want to compare with other vendors before ordering

[FlameOut]

I was also wondering about which models came with the stamped 'CHEVROLET' and which came with the 'Chevrolet' tailgate bands? The stamped letters tailgate is a little cheaper overall, but looking at some photos, the plain tailgate with the band looks better. Kind of surprising how few photos of tailgates are out there

[cericd]

From the factory all tailgates were stamped with CHEVROLET. The ones with bands had it beneath the band. I'm fairly sure the only trucks with the bands (from the factory) were the 69-70 CST trucks and the 71-72 Cheyennes. No bands on 67-68 trucks or lower models than CST or Cheyennes.

[kcsa75]

When I bought my truck it had an aftermarket tailgate (without letters) that I'm 90 percent certain came from LMC as I live in Lenexa, KS, 10 minutes from the LMC counter. It was OK, but I wanted one with letters so I bought a used OEM tailgate from a guy for $100.
I bolted up the OEM tailgate the other day and the difference was night and day. It's heavier but it fits like a glove and opens and closes 10 times better than the repop.

[FlameOut]

Thanks Chris, I never realized they were all stamped. I saw the repops were either stamped or plain, so thought that's how they came from the factory too. I showed my wife the difference and let her pick. She chose the stamped 'Chevrolet' over the banding so that's what I'll go with.

Willie, I was hoping to find an OEM, but I can't find anything in my area of SW PA (that isn't apparently lined with gold). I was kind of hoping (more like wishful thinking) that the LMC tailgates were actually stamped better becasue of what it says about being OE quality reproduction

[haysonj]

I have the LMC tailgate and to be honest I couldn't tell the differance from the OE that was bent in the middle. I'm no purist so not a good judge for quality but in my mind it fit good and functions.

[Harpie]

I ordered my Header panel both bedsides and tailgate from LMC and all fit perfect when I put my bed together. I could tell it was a bit lighter than the factory gate I have but other than that no issues at all. I even had a bedside show up damaged when I opened my boxes called them up and they had one at my door the next day to make it right and didn't want the lightly damaged part back.

[michael bustamante]

Years ago i had a non stamped tailgate and it fit ok but didnt feel " solid"
I got rid of it when it bowed loading up a smaller dirt track motorcycle. This was back in 2000 though so maybe the qualitys changed

[D.PASSMORE]

IMO, Tri-plus currently makes about the best re-pop , same weight and thickness of OE. The others are made with fairly thin sheet metal and will bend easily when pressed with a load. The only one that I ever bought (LMC / 2003) was detroyed in under a year - using my truck as a truck.

[FlameOut]

I placed my order, so hopefully they've improved over the years. I was curious about the Tri-Plus stuff. When I bought my 1 piece floor for my 72, the shipping box clearly said Dynacorn, but the sticker on the actual floor said Tri-Plus. It fit ok, but needed a little persuasion

[D.PASSMORE]

Originally Posted by FlameOut

I placed my order, so hopefully they've improved over the years. I was curious about the Tri-Plus stuff. When I bought my 1 piece floor for my 72, the shipping box clearly said Dynacorn, but the sticker on the actual floor said Tri-Plus. It fit ok, but needed a little persuasion

Majority of the time, all patch panels need persuasion. Good luck and let us know what you get - brand.