Reproduction Tailgates

[BT Classics]

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.

Thanks.

[67C10Step]

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.

[Willys_MB]

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.

[BT Classics]

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.

[dagnabbitt]

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.

[67C10Step]

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.

[BT Classics]

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.

[57taskforce]

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.

[72 tigger]

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

[A1971Blazer]

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

[CC69Rat]

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.

[cericd]

Originally Posted by CC69Rat

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.

Hey Chad, does that hold true for fleet side gates too? I may need one at some point.

[CC69Rat]

Originally Posted by cericd

Hey Chad, does that hold true for fleet side gates too? I may need one at some point.

Yessir. I like to go with a good clean GM fleetside gate if possible but they're HARD to find, and very expensive. KeyParts would be my choice for a repro fleet gate. Ad far as I know MarK doesn't make a repro fleet gate. Only stepside. That may have changed in the past few months.

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.

[daddymoo2]

I have another 67 fleetside tailgate. Don

[CC69Rat]

Originally Posted by daddymoo2

I have another 67 fleetside tailgate. Don

PM sent. Thanks Don!

[Ironhorse]

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.

[special-K]

Goodmark isn't a manufacturer. Most likely they are distributing Tri-Plus, which is a top grade reproduction.

[72 Super]

BT sorry to hear about your dad. That is very nice truck you have.

Ray

[georgieb51]

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.

[Rich72C10]

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

[Grumpy old man]

You can order AMD parts from Summit with $9.99 shipping .

[67RS/SSx2]

Are fleetside tailgates from 67 to 72 the same?

[lil hoodlum]

Originally Posted by BT Classics

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.

BT, also so sorry to hear the loss of your father. Your truck is sweet and I bet your dad would be pleased about the condition of the truck.

Originally Posted by Ironhorse

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.

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.

[CC69Rat]

Originally Posted by 67RS/SSx2

Are fleetside tailgates from 67 to 72 the same?

No. 67 gate is a one year only. 68-72 are the same as far as I know.

[daddymoo2]

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