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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Albany, NY
Posts: 108
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I've been looking at reproduction Stepside tailgates. Guessing from the photos and manufacturer part numbers it seems that there are at least two manufacturers? (One is a black primer - Goodmark?, Mar-K's has light gray primer, one appears to be bare metal.) Can anyone give any input if there are any quality differences between the reproduction tailgates? The Mar-K version is about $100 more so wasn't sure if it was better quality/ fit/ stamping.
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#2 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: Beebe, AR
Posts: 2,461
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Re: Reproduction Tailgates
I purchased the entire Mar K bed box. Their pieces are bare metal with a zinc coating so I scuffed and got mine in epoxy primer. I don't know about the other reproductions but the Mar K seems to be about the same weight and material as the originals. Not a cheap feeling piece at all.
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1967 C10 1980 Jeep CJ5 2020 Toyota 4Runner 2024 Toyota Tundra |
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#3 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Boise, ID
Posts: 856
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Re: Reproduction Tailgates
I don't know what your project looks like, but the stepside tailgates were the same from the early 1950's through the end of the squarebody era (1987). It's pretty likely that you'll find a stepside tailgate in decent condition locally if you're patient and don't mind it being used.
I found a great condition GMC stepside tailgate at a local junkyard and got it for $25 just to hang on the wall in my garage. As far as the quality goes, I have a Goodmark and it's great quality. I just bought the unbadged one to throw on until I can hunt down an original at a fair price. I'm happy with it and may not even bother spending the money on an OEM tailgate since this is my Home Depot truck. It came in black primer, which matches your guess on finishes for Goodmark, at least.
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1968 GMC C2500 Long Bed Fleetside |
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#4 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Albany, NY
Posts: 108
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Re: Reproduction Tailgates
Unfortunately I'm in the great northeast where if I could find one, it would likely be rusted! I'm not even sure if any local junkyards carry vintage parts anymore.
It is going to sound crazy but I'm taking the tailgate off to use as a wall decoration in memory of my Dad. Last year he was working on his '55 Chevy when a fire broke out. Long story short, he never made it out and burnt the house and garage to the ground. The '72 C-10 happened to be stored separately and survived. We restored the truck together years ago. Figured the easiest solution was to buy a reproduction to put back on so I could hold on to the original. |
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#5 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Edmonton Alberta
Posts: 1,344
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Re: Reproduction Tailgates
I'm very sorry about your dad. Mar K tailgates are about a thousand times better than Goodmark, which is frankly not a bad manufacturer, either. Well worth the $100 price difference.
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DAVE Edmonton, Alberta 1959 Apache 1967 K20 1968 C20 1970 C10 1972 GMC 2500 1981 C10 |
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#6 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: Beebe, AR
Posts: 2,461
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Re: Reproduction Tailgates
BT,
So very sorry for the loss of your dad. I'll leave it at this, I don't think you would be disappointed in the quality of the Mar K tailgate and for the price difference knowing it was made in the US would just be a bonus to me. Just my opinion. Super looking truck and love the color.
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1967 C10 1980 Jeep CJ5 2020 Toyota 4Runner 2024 Toyota Tundra |
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#7 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Albany, NY
Posts: 108
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Re: Reproduction Tailgates
Thanks for the fast replies! I don't mind the little extra for a better product. I just didn't know if there would be a difference.
I'll be asking a few more questions soon. I'm looking to replace the tonneau cover. (Broken clips - not snaps) I searched this forum and most of the ones that were once available are no longer produced. Thanks 67 - it's factory two-tone medium olive/ dark olive. I usually see the two-tone with the fleetside but not many stepsides. Last edited by BT Classics; 09-04-2021 at 08:06 PM. |
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#8 |
All about them K’s
![]() Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Land of Entrapment
Posts: 6,393
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Re: Reproduction Tailgates
Sorry about your dad. I just wanted to say that’s a killer 557 paint step side you’ve got there. My K20 was originally that color, one of these days I’ll get it painted back.
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Tyler '57 3100 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=813888 '72 K20 Cheyenne: 5” lift, 35’s, front dana 60 blah blah blah… http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=662879 ‘69 K10 SWB: 4” lift 33”s… in a million pieces http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=805206 '98 Silverado LT K2500HD ECLB Vortec 454/4l80E: 6" lift 315/75/16's |
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#9 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Berne IN
Posts: 3,229
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Re: Reproduction Tailgates
BT very sorry about your dad- that has to be rough. Really like your truck, could you please post a pic of the SPID? Thanks
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71 C10 72 K20 72 K10 Super Kirk |
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#10 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: East Tennessee
Posts: 2,152
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Re: Reproduction Tailgates
I bought one thru LMC....they're the only ones who had them in stock
It's a Tri-Plus brand... I was skeptical but the fit and finish is really good
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1967 C10 Step side 1968 C10 Step side 1970 Chevrolet K/5 Blazer 1972 Chevrolet K/5 Blazer ............. ![]() |
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#11 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Chattanooga TN
Posts: 6,208
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Re: Reproduction Tailgates
BT - I'm sorry to hear about your Dad, I am very close to my old man too.
Mar-K is the way to go. My second choice would be a KeyParts gate through GMCPauls. You might have other sources too but just saying, the KeyParts branded repro stuff seems very solid to me. One of the best I've found. I'd put MarK at the top of the list though.
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Chad 1967 C10 SWB - Project Savannah - 6.0/4L80 *Currently underway* 1968 C10 SWB - TOTY 2018, 50th Anniversary Tribute Project * Sold * Pride and Joy 1986 Silverado Short Fleet - Scarlet *Sold* 1985 Silverado Short Fleet *Sold* 2022 Jeep Gladiator Mojave 2001 Jeep Cherokee XJ 4x4 - Lifted, Built 1992 Jeep Cherokee XJ 4x4 - Lifted 2013 Honda Accord EX-L v6 Coupe 6spd (wife's ride) |
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#12 | |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Texan, back in TX
Posts: 2,154
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Re: Reproduction Tailgates
Quote:
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#13 | |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Chattanooga TN
Posts: 6,208
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Re: Reproduction Tailgates
Quote:
I just bought one of the cleanest 67 fleet gates I've ever seen. They're still out there, but man they're really drying up. The bedsides I have for my 67 I'm working on are KeyParts. I was pretty impressed with them.
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Chad 1967 C10 SWB - Project Savannah - 6.0/4L80 *Currently underway* 1968 C10 SWB - TOTY 2018, 50th Anniversary Tribute Project * Sold * Pride and Joy 1986 Silverado Short Fleet - Scarlet *Sold* 1985 Silverado Short Fleet *Sold* 2022 Jeep Gladiator Mojave 2001 Jeep Cherokee XJ 4x4 - Lifted, Built 1992 Jeep Cherokee XJ 4x4 - Lifted 2013 Honda Accord EX-L v6 Coupe 6spd (wife's ride) |
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#14 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: union,ky
Posts: 1,567
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Re: Reproduction Tailgates
I have another 67 fleetside tailgate. Don
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#15 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Chattanooga TN
Posts: 6,208
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Re: Reproduction Tailgates
PM sent. Thanks Don!
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Chad 1967 C10 SWB - Project Savannah - 6.0/4L80 *Currently underway* 1968 C10 SWB - TOTY 2018, 50th Anniversary Tribute Project * Sold * Pride and Joy 1986 Silverado Short Fleet - Scarlet *Sold* 1985 Silverado Short Fleet *Sold* 2022 Jeep Gladiator Mojave 2001 Jeep Cherokee XJ 4x4 - Lifted, Built 1992 Jeep Cherokee XJ 4x4 - Lifted 2013 Honda Accord EX-L v6 Coupe 6spd (wife's ride) |
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#16 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Wellington, Ks
Posts: 10,188
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Re: Reproduction Tailgates
Just for a FYI, I bought a fleet side tail gate from GMCPaul many years ago, must have been around 2003-04. Bought the plain unmarked gate and have been VERY satisfied with it. Has held up well thru the years and I have stood one it, sat on it and loaded items in the truck with absolutely no sign of twist, warp or flimsy manufacture. Wish I could remember the brand marked on the box but too many years ago. Being unmarked it was a fair bit lower cost then a CHEVROLET lettered gate, the smooth look works for me quite well. Just a tad of info if it helps anyone.
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1971 Chevy 1/2T 4x4 LWB 350 V-8 Was sm465-now 350TH/np205 Tilt, Tach, Towhooks Original Truck AM/FM Wellington, Ks |
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#17 |
Special Order
![]() ![]() Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Mt Airy, MD
Posts: 85,859
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Re: Reproduction Tailgates
Goodmark isn't a manufacturer. Most likely they are distributing Tri-Plus, which is a top grade reproduction.
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"BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~ |
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#18 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Hyattsville, Maryland
Posts: 3,690
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Re: Reproduction Tailgates
BT sorry to hear about your dad. That is very nice truck you have.
Ray
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72 Cheyenne Super (Purchased new by my parents in August of 71) Black and White |
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#19 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: cooperstown. ny
Posts: 1,576
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Re: Reproduction Tailgates
I recently bought a Mar-K stepside tailgate. What you want to look at when making comparison are the quality , uniformity and accurate placement of the spot welds. On most repros the spot welds are all over the place. Look at the photo in the first post of a Mar-K gate. All the spot welds are in a line and uniform in spacing. They pay attention to the details at mar-K. Made in USA too. Look at their website. It is not easy to find but they have a video somewhere on there that shows some of the differences between their stuff and everyone elses.
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1972 Chevy Custom Deluxe Highlander, owned 34 years. 1970 GMC Sierra Grande 2500, unrestored, original. 1970 Chevy K10 Short Wide-bed, working on restoration.. 1967 Chevy K10 Short Stepside, unrestored original. 1969 GMC CST (Longhorn) 396, buckets, unrestored. 1995 GMC K2500, 65,000 miles, 454. |
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#20 |
Mr. Cheyenne
![]() Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: Kyle, Texas
Posts: 1,688
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Re: Reproduction Tailgates
When I replaced my tailgate (which was a repo itself) I ended up getting this one from AMD . Which is a TriPlus. It outweighed the one on my truck by at least 1/3! I am extremely happy with it.
Below are all their tailgates, the whole process ordering from AMD was super easy. I was actually able to track my shipment (truck moving down the interstate) as it came to me as it came from Georgia to Texas! https://www.autometaldirect.com/body...23_80_834.html
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Richard '72 Chevy C10 Cheyenne *Super WHT/MED BRONZE/WHT SBC 350 | TH350 | LWB | AC | Buddy Seats Upgrades: Tilt | Front Sway Bar | Radio | Sliding Window | Bed Spare w/Lock Bed Rails | Full LEDs | Courtesy Lights | Tachometer | Glovebox Lock & Light | Head Light Relays | *Upgraded Fully Super Trim |
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#21 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Gods country East,Tn
Posts: 8,545
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Re: Reproduction Tailgates
You can order AMD parts from Summit with $9.99 shipping .
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![]() 1967 Factory short bed - Old school '71 - 350 / 4bolt / 487 heads / Edelbrock C3BX Muncie M-22 4 speed / Hurst Comp plus Factory 12 bolt posi 3.73 / 255-70-15 Smoothed firewall / Factory cowl induction Power disc brakes / power steering / 3.5-5" drop |
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#22 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Central Oklahoma
Posts: 253
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Re: Reproduction Tailgates
Are fleetside tailgates from 67 to 72 the same?
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1972 C20 402/TH400/3.54 Highlander 1969 Camaro RS with SS trim, 1967 Camaro RS/SS (sold) ![]() 1983 GMC Sierra Classic 2500 crew cab (sold) 1972 Chevy C10 Cheyenne Super (sold) 1984 Chevy Silverado C20 crew cab (bought new by my uncle, in the family until I sold it) |
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#23 | ||
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Denton, Texas
Posts: 1,722
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Re: Reproduction Tailgates
Quote:
Quote:
I bought an unmarked tailgate from LMC many, many years ago. It has held up just fine and my truck is a daily drive and the tailgate has been opened and slammed closed thousands of time over the years. It is also very solid as I have multiple times stood and sat on it. I think it was the TRI-PLUS brand.
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1968 C10 327, 3 speed manual, LWB stock height daily driver. 1968 C20 327, 4 speed manual, LWB stock height custom camper with heavy duty leaf springs rear, 50th anniversary edition. Hoping to press into daily drive status soon. |
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#24 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Chattanooga TN
Posts: 6,208
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Re: Reproduction Tailgates
No. 67 gate is a one year only. 68-72 are the same as far as I know.
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Chad 1967 C10 SWB - Project Savannah - 6.0/4L80 *Currently underway* 1968 C10 SWB - TOTY 2018, 50th Anniversary Tribute Project * Sold * Pride and Joy 1986 Silverado Short Fleet - Scarlet *Sold* 1985 Silverado Short Fleet *Sold* 2022 Jeep Gladiator Mojave 2001 Jeep Cherokee XJ 4x4 - Lifted, Built 1992 Jeep Cherokee XJ 4x4 - Lifted 2013 Honda Accord EX-L v6 Coupe 6spd (wife's ride) |
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#25 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: union,ky
Posts: 1,567
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Re: Reproduction Tailgates
Hello, 67 are one year only and 68 gate is the same as 67 in front but the back of the gate is different on 68 and then 69 thru 72 are the same. Hope this helps. I have the three different gates. Don
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