Leather Tailgate Chain Covers

[jlaird]

Hey Guys,

Been working on another project. These are leather tailgate chain covers. I posted some progress pics and the backstory of how these got started here. It's a pretty neat story about a 55 chevy truck.

These are made to fit 47-87 trucks except the 58-66 Fleetside. I have seen variation in chain lengths, so please measure your chain length from eyebolt to hook. (see diagram)

Price is $125 plus $6 shipping on my website. For board members responding to this thread, I am giving free shipping and an additional 10% off by subscribing to my newsletter.

Note: Steel chains pictured not included.

If you have any questions, please ask. There's also more details on this store page.

[68shortwide]

They look sick. If I ever change to a stepper you'll be getting a call from me lol

[michael bustamante]

Those do look good. I wonder how well theyd hold up in the desert sun like we have here

[jlaird]

Originally Posted by 68shortwide

They look sick. If I ever change to a stepper you'll be getting a call from me lol

Thanks Jack!

Originally Posted by michael bustamante

Those do look good. I wonder how well theyd hold up in the desert sun like we have here

Good question. The thread is outdoor rated, UV resistant Polyester thread.

The Leather is treated with Obenauf's Leather Oil and Watershield for protection against the elements.

I would recommend to periodically maintain the covers with the same or similar products.

Thanks!
josh

[special-K]

Those look downright crafty. Nice custom touch. You've got talent. As far as leather in weather goes,just like in your interior you have to maintain it. Outside has different needs,but basically all leather needs to be cleaned and conditioned (oils) to keep pliable. Just like horse & motorcycle saddles and saddlebags (shoes/boots,too). Many classic autos used leather throughout the car,including straps to hold the hood down.

[Grumpy old man]

I've worked with leather for the last 35+ years and the chain covers look good ! BUT, it's life span is limited in the weather and many of the "leather" conditioners contain alcohol which is something you really don't want on it ,use mink oil it works much better on leather as a conditioner and water repellant and doesn't cost as much as many conditioners sold it's available at Walmart and many other places in the shoe department .There are also many Vinyl materials which give the same exact look are made to with stand all weather conditions are UV treated and don't require the maintenance of real leather . They sure dress up the back of the truck and help protect the paint .

[jlaird]

Originally Posted by special-K

Those look downright crafty. Nice custom touch. You've got talent. As far as leather in weather goes,just like in your interior you have to maintain it. Outside has different needs,but basically all leather needs to be cleaned and conditioned (oils) to keep pliable. Just like horse & motorcycle saddles and saddlebags (shoes/boots,too). Many classic autos used leather throughout the car,including straps to hold the hood down.

Tim, thanks again for the positive comment.

Originally Posted by Grumpy old man

I've worked with leather for the last 35+ years and the chain covers look good ! BUT, it's life span is limited in the weather and many of the "leather" conditioners contain alcohol which is something you really don't want on it ,use mink oil it works much better on leather as a conditioner and water repellant and doesn't cost as much as many conditioners sold it's available at Walmart and many other places in the shoe department .There are also many Vinyl materials which give the same exact look are made to with stand all weather conditions are UV treated and don't require the maintenance of real leather . They sure dress up the back of the truck and help protect the paint .

Great reply! Thank you for the info on the Mink Oil.

[Tinkermc]

I use mink oil on my boots, works so well.

[Steve Cole]

Originally Posted by jlaird

Hey Guys,

Been working on another project. These are leather tailgate chain covers. I posted some progress pics and the backstory of how these got started here. It's a pretty neat story about a 55 chevy truck.

So let me know what you think about these. Oh, yeah, please excuse the FORD! That's my father's truck. It was his birthday today so I made him a pair.

Don't you have some sport mirrors you need to be working on? Just kidding! The covers look great.

[jlaird]

Haha, Steve! Don't be breaking my balls! Lol

[hotrodder]

The ones on the chev. are awesum, So are you going to be putting these into production? If so whats the cost?

[jlaird]

Originally Posted by hotrodder

The ones on the chev. are awesum, So are you going to be putting these into production? If so whats the cost?

(For cost, see updated first post.)

These are all custom made, so you can choose leather colors to match your truck. To give you an idea of what is possible, here is an excerpt I pulled from the link in the first post.

Jason's 55 is matte black, has a burgundy interior, a similar colored wood bed floor, and is rolling on whitewall tires. These would be the design cues I would pull from. The majority of the chain cover would be made from the burgundy leather which has a slight gloss sheen to it. This would contrast the matte black paint nicely. The black leather is matte, just like the trucks paint, and would be used as an accent. To finish it off, white contrast stitching would be used to compliment the whitewalls.

I will eventually get an ordering page up on the website, but in the meantime if anybody wants to discuss having a pair made to match your truck, just email me.

Thanks fellas!
Josh

[jlaird]

Here's a montage of some of the steps involved in making the covers.

[franken]

I'd be interested in a future custom triple stick range box and NP205 shift boot if you want to think about it. Maybe you can send a PM so I can save your contact info?

As I recall you have other products...

[jlaird]

I just wanted to update this post with current pricing and pictures. I have some covers ready to ship in the classifieds section here, but I thought I could use this thread for anybody interested in a made-to-order set.

Here are four color combos I've made so far.









This was a set sold to my first customer, Dave from Dover!

[The DOT]

Originally Posted by jlaird

I just wanted to update this post with current pricing and pictures. I have some covers ready to ship in the classifieds section here, but I thought I could use this thread for anybody interested in a made-to-order set.

Here are four color combos I've made so far.









This was a set sold to my first customer, Dave from Dover!

Those things are EPIC! Are you still making these, I see that this thread is from a couple of years ago...

[Cbo]

Wow, these things are beautiful... when my truck gets to that point I will definitely be placing an order

[68panelman]

Here's the ones I got from Josh this past year. He does really nice work. I also bought SS chains to not get the covers all crappy. It's nice not having big plastic loop for a chain protector.

[wjr1957]

how can I get some of these leather covers?

[wjr1957]

where can I g et leather tailgate chain covers?

[jlaird]

If anybody is interested in these, I'm back at it! Here are pictures of three of the latest color combos.

They are made for three year ranges.

• '47-'53 - 13.5" long
• '58-'66 Fleetside - 9" long
• '54-'87 Stepside - 14" long

Orders can be placed here.

[jlaird]

New color combo!

[Ronzo]

Beautiful work, you still in production?

[jlaird]

Originally Posted by Ronzo

Beautiful work, you still in production?

Yep! Check out relicate.com under the “goods” section.
Posted via Mobile Device