Tailgate welded shut

[taylordise]

I am thinking about welding my tailgate and roll pan to the bed for a smooth look. I attached a picture of a truck that I am going to model mine after. Anyone members on here that have done this I'd love to see pictures. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Taylor.

[cdowns]

i like a truck to b a truck

seems like a ridiculous mod unless you're planing a hot tub or goldfish pond

[w3lfd]

Just make sure you plan on drainage if it's going to see any weather.

[sandnuriz]

Hell yeah that's sick love the plate

[1LoC10]

just buy a cali combo skin, and cut your letters out and weld them in.... dont forget to brace the backside

[tantrumpipeline]

not a fan of the taillight conversion/shave or the minitruckin license plate but the clean back end looks good, seen a few without the import inspired add ons that looked really good, I know I don't plan on ver putting anything in the bed when I'm done my build, so why not really

[Rat Bastid]

i like my truck just the way they built it,not into destroying perfection.......kids.....sheesh

[MrDude_1]

Originally Posted by taylordise

I am thinking about welding my tailgate and roll pan to the bed for a smooth look. I attached a picture of a truck that I am going to model mine after. Anyone members on here that have done this I'd love to see pictures. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Taylor.

i think it looks kinda silly.
i do like the lines the tailgate makes... what would really be nice is if you gap the tailgate perfectly all the way around.. that takes alot of skill... and if you want the bottom gap to match the side gaps, then you have to make a double hinge as well. ive only seen one guy pull that off, and it looked fantastic.

its not as visually shocking as the tailgate being welded in, but people that know bodywork, the people that know what they're looking at... they would truly be impressed with that.

[Ackattack]

I wouldn't do it. It looks nice, but not for me.

[lolife99]

I think I would like it better with the stock tail lights.
This truck was at SEMA and is on the cover of the new issue of StreetTrucks magazine.
Here's another version,...

[taylordise]

Originally Posted by lolife99

I think I would like it better with the stock tail lights.
This truck was at SEMA and is on the cover of the new issue of StreetTrucks magazine.
Here's another version,...

This is the one that actually peaked my interest. Thanks

[Dieselwrencher]

These guys that bit*h about guys ruining these trucks need to get over it! It's his truck so I say do with it what you want to! If I had a short box truck, I'd do it. Hardly anyone actually uses these trucks when they restore them any how. I mean come on, how much usable bed room do you actually have on a slammed short bed truck any how? Hardly none. And if I were to do this, I'd do it like the 2nd pic Nate posted, except I think I'd keep the letters.

[LilD]

Its just a truck. It would be different if it were a numbers matching Hemi Cuda or something. I wouldnt do it to my truck but its your truck do what YOU want to do!

[lakeroadster]

Originally Posted by Dieselwrencher

These guys that bit*h about guys ruining these trucks need to get over it! It's his truck so I say do with it what you want to! If I had a short box truck, I'd do it. Hardly anyone actually uses these trucks when they restore them any how. I mean come on, how much usable bed room do you actually have on a slammed short bed truck any how? Hardly none. And if I were to do this, I'd do it like the 2nd pic Nate posted, except I think I'd keep the letters.

Taylor, the originator of this thread posted: "Any advice would be greatly appreciated."

That means the posts stating he is "ruining his truck" are as valid as yours saying "do it."

My advice would be don't weld the tailgate shut unless you are 1.0 building a true one off show truck or 2.0 never plan to sell the truck. Seems like a good way to turn away prospective buyers, IMO. Just look at the responses here thus far.

[my67chevytruck]

Tony, did a similar mod to his truck Sweet pea... see this link : http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...eetpea&page=29

[taylordise]

I appreciate all the feedback guys. Keep it coming! It's all a matter of opinion, no hurt feelings over here.

[Stocker]

I wouldn't do it myself unless it was just gonna be a showpiece from now on. It does look slick, but imho it takes away any ability to use it as a truck anytime in the future. And your attitude is much appreciated -- some guys really get their feelers all hurt if anyone disagrees with their thinking!

[tubbedII]

The blue one looks better than the silver one imo, but mainly due to the license plate in the silver one...too 80's style for me. I'm usually a huge fan of the recessed CHEVROLET in the tailgate, but with this mod the flat look suits it much better. I think the whole rear would look better of nothing was recessed at all.

[mcbassin]

I think they both look pretty cool. I wouldn't do it, but hey, to each his own. Beauty/ Coolness is in the eye of the beholder

[Jacfourteen]

I say go for it, the blue one looks smooth..

[flashed]

I like mine to look stock outside ,but I like yours however you like it .I like them all .

[Zoomin]

Since the bed would be unusable, I'd go ahead and seal the top of the bed while I was at it..

That license plate location is horrible, and I would do the taillights.

[tdp67]

I don't think I would. But, it's up to you. I like a more traditional look myself.

[Nova70]

[BadaSs_Cal]

I really like that blue one.. the lens must be molded right into the metal. I wouldn't do either myself, but If I saw one in person I would still give the owner kudos.. Looks sexy.