Tailgates -New- what say ye? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Custom 68 · 11-04-2004, 10:19 AM

hey all I am close to finishing my truck project but the tailgate is a real pain. it is a 68 fleet Chevy. It is of course bowed but has some dents arond the letters I am having a real hard time with. I have heard the new ones are not as sturdy as the originals but I am not concerned with that. Otherwise how are they? I dont want one that is not straight around the letters I already have one of those. Is there only one brand "goodmark"
I really hated to spend 300 plus on one but am about ready to.
Thanks
Dave

Custom 68 · 11-04-2004, 06:55 PM

any thoughts?

PMS · 11-04-2004, 07:28 PM

When I re-built my truck 5 years ago I purchased a new aftermarket tailgate made over sea's. I bent it in less than a week and the fit and finish sucked.... I went back to the place I purchased it and bought a new/old stock OEM tail gate for twice what I paid for the aftermarket and never regretted it. Find a OEM tail gate IMO.

cableguy0 · 11-04-2004, 07:28 PM

the only bad things i have heard about the repops is that a 200lb man really cant stand on em without bowing them much less pick something up and stand on it.other than that i dont know i personally havent installed or used one much less stood on one

Huck · 11-04-2004, 08:29 PM

Over the past few years, the quality of the tailgates from Tiwan have improved to the point that it is difficult to find a difference between OEM and aftermarket. The only thing I have found is the OEM is spot welded on the center recess above the letter section while the repops aren't. The new repops weigh about the same and seem about as strong. If you are covering with a letter band, you could go with a "non lettered" gate and save some bucks. GM NOS can run upwards of $4-500. Repops--unlettered=$200. and lettered= $300. + ship.

11-04-2004, 10:19 AM	#1
Custom 68 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 2,939	Tailgates -New- what say ye? hey all I am close to finishing my truck project but the tailgate is a real pain. it is a 68 fleet Chevy. It is of course bowed but has some dents arond the letters I am having a real hard time with. I have heard the new ones are not as sturdy as the originals but I am not concerned with that. Otherwise how are they? I dont want one that is not straight around the letters I already have one of those. Is there only one brand "goodmark" I really hated to spend 300 plus on one but am about ready to. Thanks Dave __________________ Dave 1968 Custom Chevy with turbo charged 5.3 gen III 4l80e swap 1967-71 GMC 3/4 ton long step 4x4 (not sure what year exactly?) "A good friend will bail you out of jail...but a true friend will be sitting next to you saying "that was frekin awesome". "If it doesn't fit force it...If it breaks then it needed to be replaced anyway!"

11-04-2004, 06:55 PM	#2
Custom 68 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 2,939	any thoughts? __________________ Dave 1968 Custom Chevy with turbo charged 5.3 gen III 4l80e swap 1967-71 GMC 3/4 ton long step 4x4 (not sure what year exactly?) "A good friend will bail you out of jail...but a true friend will be sitting next to you saying "that was frekin awesome". "If it doesn't fit force it...If it breaks then it needed to be replaced anyway!"

11-04-2004, 07:28 PM	#4
cableguy0 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Delta,Pa Posts: 14,948	the only bad things i have heard about the repops is that a 200lb man really cant stand on em without bowing them much less pick something up and stand on it.other than that i dont know i personally havent installed or used one much less stood on one __________________ Owner of North Point Car Care in Dundalk Md. We specialize in custom exhaust on both modern and classic vehicles. We are a full service auto shop from classics to modern vehicles. Feel free to contact me with questions. I will give a 10% discount to any board member.

11-04-2004, 07:28 PM	#3
PMS Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Overland Park, KS Posts: 79	When I re-built my truck 5 years ago I purchased a new aftermarket tailgate made over sea's. I bent it in less than a week and the fit and finish sucked.... I went back to the place I purchased it and bought a new/old stock OEM tail gate for twice what I paid for the aftermarket and never regretted it. Find a OEM tail gate IMO.

11-04-2004, 08:29 PM	#5
Huck Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Shelbyville, KY Posts: 3,261	Over the past few years, the quality of the tailgates from Tiwan have improved to the point that it is difficult to find a difference between OEM and aftermarket. The only thing I have found is the OEM is spot welded on the center recess above the letter section while the repops aren't. The new repops weigh about the same and seem about as strong. If you are covering with a letter band, you could go with a "non lettered" gate and save some bucks. GM NOS can run upwards of $4-500. Repops--unlettered=$200. and lettered= $300. + ship.



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