Straightening a tailgate - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

LKJR · 03-03-2003, 07:25 AM

ok my blazer (same tailgate) tailgate has a bow in the center about 3/4" or so out in the middle, my last truck was the same way, I'm thinking about trying to press this out. it's not a show truck so it dosen't have to be perfect I"m just looking to cut down on the air coming in the cab from the rear,

any advice / concerns / woes?

JimKshortstep4x4 · 03-03-2003, 08:42 AM

We straightened my stepside tailgate out using a 150 ton hydraulic press. Because the length of the gate was too long for the press opening, we set up two 4" I beams to rest the gate on.
We put wood 2x4's under both ends and a wood block in the middle to push on with the ram. Pushing on the bow was done and we kept increasing the pressure slowly, checking continuously with a straight edge. We repositioned the gate as necessary to achieve the best straightening and it turned out pretty good. I think a lot depends on how much bow there is and
how the bow was formed. I don't believe a "kinked" gate would respond well to straightening. I will post a pic of the after.

Jim

JimKshortstep4x4 · 03-03-2003, 09:44 AM

Here is a pic after the tailgate was straightened.

Jim

*Gee_Emm* · 03-03-2003, 10:28 AM

Good luck, its gonna be fun. :p

68racer · 03-03-2003, 02:25 PM

I did it with a four post car ramp with a car on it.

You have to put the tailgate on blocks and push it out the other side.

SWINGSAX68 · 03-03-2003, 02:48 PM

hmmm
I straightened mine out just a bit with some 2x4s and a sledge hammer but it is still bent...it was fun though!!!!

blue_69 · 03-03-2003, 06:37 PM

i jacked up the truck and put the gate under the tire and put some 2x6's under each endof the gate and one between the tire and gate and let it down slow. It didnt totaly straighten it but most of the way. Oh i had the extra weight of a big block too.

Stano · 03-03-2003, 09:06 PM

This one was bowed almost 3/4 inch and I straightened it with a 2x4 and a dead blow hammer. Its straight now and looks good. It bent back pretty easy. I just took my time.

03-03-2003, 07:25 AM	#1
LKJR Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: Lubbock, Tx Posts: 85	Straightening a tailgate ok my blazer (same tailgate) tailgate has a bow in the center about 3/4" or so out in the middle, my last truck was the same way, I'm thinking about trying to press this out. it's not a show truck so it dosen't have to be perfect I"m just looking to cut down on the air coming in the cab from the rear, any advice / concerns / woes? __________________ 1st Gen Blazers Like em big and topless

03-03-2003, 08:42 AM	#2
JimKshortstep4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Muskegon,MI,USA Posts: 6,026	We straightened my stepside tailgate out using a 150 ton hydraulic press. Because the length of the gate was too long for the press opening, we set up two 4" I beams to rest the gate on. We put wood 2x4's under both ends and a wood block in the middle to push on with the ram. Pushing on the bow was done and we kept increasing the pressure slowly, checking continuously with a straight edge. We repositioned the gate as necessary to achieve the best straightening and it turned out pretty good. I think a lot depends on how much bow there is and how the bow was formed. I don't believe a "kinked" gate would respond well to straightening. I will post a pic of the after. Jim Last edited by JimKshortstep4x4; 03-03-2003 at 09:35 AM.

03-03-2003, 09:44 AM	#3
JimKshortstep4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Muskegon,MI,USA Posts: 6,026	Here is a pic after the tailgate was straightened. Jim Attached Images

03-03-2003, 02:25 PM	#5
68racer Yeah baby! Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 436	I did it with a four post car ramp with a car on it. You have to put the tailgate on blocks and push it out the other side. __________________ 11.37 @116

03-03-2003, 02:48 PM	#6
SWINGSAX68 Now the others dig........ Join Date: May 2002 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 1,520	hmmm I straightened mine out just a bit with some 2x4s and a sledge hammer but it is still bent...it was fun though!!!! __________________ 68 Chevy C10 Stepside Black Primer 78 GMC Longbed White 09 Chevy Silverado Shortbed Granite Blue *LOOKING FOR A 67 4 DOOR IMPALA!!!Just like Sam and Dean Winchester!! 'Cause Mustangs are for p^#$ and you can fit a body in the trunk of a 67 Impala* MEMBER OF THE DRUM BRAKE CLUB Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies Texas State University-San Marcos, TX Certified Music Educator I hope Mom is up there watching and being my Guardian Angel "I've got a fever.....and the only prescription.....IS MORE COW BELL" -The Legendary: Bruce Dickenson "F#$@ 'em up!!!!!!" -The Legendary: Rogelio Escobar TRUCKY LINKS** http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=457750 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=461184 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=472848 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=417541 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=477788

03-03-2003, 10:28 AM	#4
Gee_Emm Account Suspended Join Date: Sep 2000 Posts: 3,991	Good luck, its gonna be fun. :p

03-03-2003, 06:37 PM	#7
blue_69 someday Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: canastota,new york Posts: 629	i jacked up the truck and put the gate under the tire and put some 2x6's under each endof the gate and one between the tire and gate and let it down slow. It didnt totaly straighten it but most of the way. Oh i had the extra weight of a big block too. __________________ Click Here to search ebay for all 67-72 parts My 72 CST blazer build 72 CST Blazer 4x4 67 2wd swb ( project onion crate ) 86 4x4 lwb plow truck 40 x 60 foot barn to work on all this stuff

03-03-2003, 09:06 PM	#8
Stano Registered User Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Mo Posts: 963	This one was bowed almost 3/4 inch and I straightened it with a 2x4 and a dead blow hammer. Its straight now and looks good. It bent back pretty easy. I just took my time. Attached Images __________________ New daily driver 96 Chevy K3500 crew cab dually 53,000 miles 350 Vortec 4L80 Nice ride 67 Chevy C-10 LWB Built 350 TH-400 Wifes ride and family rig: 2001 Furd Expedition 5.4 Liter Kickin back in Rolla,Mo. USA "Do the thing you fear most and the death of fear is certain" Mark Twain



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