Which tailgate do you like better for my 1984 GMC?

[2badgn]

I had the original tailgate repainted but its now peeling.

Should I buy the 77-80s style with the "GMC" in the middle or try to find an 81-87 style with the "GMC" on the left?

I can easily buy a repro 77-80 but have not yet found the 81-87 style.

[J Knight]

Mix matching years just looks tacky to me, imho.
Posted via Mobile Device

[frenchsquared]

Can you not repaint yours, again?

[ky_kid]

Originally Posted by J Knight

Mix matching years just looks tacky to me, imho.
Posted via Mobile Device

I agree, keep it consistent.

[2badgn]

I want to keep the original tailgate but im have a tough time finding a nice one with the embossed GMC lettering. When I first had the truck repainted, my bodyshop guy wanted me to get a new tailgate bc the original one was bad he said. Didnt want to spend the extra money but now I have to get a new one.

The truck was used for construction and the tailgate was used alot. Dont know exactly what the problem with the tailgate was but i think it would just be best to get a new one. U can also see some cracking around the handle.

[Altec]

I would take the tailgate to someone else, and get a better opinion. "It's bad" is just down right silly... You could be looking at replacing a gate, because someone simply doesn't know what they are doing... Which is what the paint peeling looks like...

[Your41Plague12]

I love the 81-87 GMC tailgates. I'd personally fix the one you have, it looks great. As long as the handle works, I'd leave it.

[Pyrotechnic]

I don't see anything wrong with that tailgate. With proper prep work, the paint should stick well.

[Palf70Step]

AS others have mentioned, your gate looks to be solid, but looks like the prep work for the painting was not so good.

If in fact you need to replace the tailgate, another option is to cut the GMC center piece from yours and graft it into a replacement gate. Lot of work yes, but it would give you good results.

[2badgn]

This is why I love this board- everybody has GREAT ideas that I would have never thought of. I have used this bodyshop for small jobs and he is ok.

He gave me a great price on fixing this truck- although it didnt come out perfect.
For $4k, he welded the drivers floor board, fixed rust on the 1/4 panels & door rocker panels, sanded off all the bondo from a previous horrible paint job, took out the plastic bedliner and removed multiple layers of sand & concrete, replaced the seat and dash.

He did alot of work for $4k but there r some imperfections: 1. tailgate paint peeling
2. few paint bubbles on lower passenger door and quarter 3. Some sand marks visible when u look at truck at certain angles 4. vent windows still making wind noise 5. Still have 2 water leaks into cabin- need to have firewall welded.

Other than that, the truck really looks sharp. I have been holding off on going back to the bodyshop but I think I will bring it to a new shop that was recommeneded to me.

[78 Chevyrado]

whoever painted it last sucked butt. find a decent painter to fix the one you already have and youll have no problems aside from obvious neglets and abuse.


for 4k, it may not be real show quality, but there better dang well NOT be one claim about quality or fixing anything whatsoever. anything other than that is a scam. dont pay top dollar unless the work is top dollar.

[2badgn]

U have a great point.

People claim to do great work but often cheat on some part. Needless to say, I was disappointed--was expecting near perfection. Ill go to somebody reliable.

[Jonboy]

I have to agree. The peeling you are having looks like poor prep to me.