Tailgate question.
 

Are aftermarket tailgates the same size and fit as the OEM gates. I have been told that they are about 3/16 shorter in width. Anyone ever measure them.

Kev.

Re: Tailgate question.
 

That is not the biggest issue with them. They are made out of paper thin sheetmetal. It is so bad that even closing them will leave a palm dent in the outer skin. Don't even try to place any type of load on them either, or they will bend.

Re: Tailgate question.
 

When was your last experience with one of these flimsy tailgates? I ask because I was told that yes they indeed were paper thin years ago, but they have been much improved and are just about equal to an oem tailgate now.

Re: Tailgate question.
 

2000

Re: Tailgate question.
 

I got a Goodmark in 06, It sucked, half the weight of a original,

Re: Tailgate question.
 

My experience.....
POS for fit and real truck use.

Re: Tailgate question.
 

We put a LMC on my 67 & my builder didn't like the way it ended up installed. We moved the handle inside, so that gave him a chance to go with the inner guts & it is now off set on the right hand side when you close it from the left side? Howard

Re: Tailgate question.
 

Re: Tailgate question.
 

I tried 3 of them and all were a terrible fit. They were all too thick and stuck out from the bed.

Ended up taking the side panels from the original to 'narrow' the tailgate thickness and then also welded a support brace along the backside of the inner panel. That way it should be stronger if someone were to step on it or what not to keep it from bowing.

Hope this helps if you decide to go with the aftermarket route. I'd look for an NOS if you can find one and afford it...

Re: Tailgate question.
 

your best bet is to find a tail gate for cheap see wahts wrong with it cut the problem out find a couple of more gates and cut those same parts out if they are good and weld them in to the other gate and you will have a very nice original from 2 trucks tailgate:lol: thats what im going to do only i know what year the tail gates cae off of

Re: Tailgate question.
 

That's what I did for my 72. A friend gave me a tailgate that had been outside, leaning against the wall of his garage for years. It was really nice except for the passenger side end that had been on the ground was heavily rusted for about 3 or 4". So I just cut that end off and welded on a section cut from another tailgate that had damage in the center.

Re: Tailgate question.
 

I heard that the plain tailgates are super thin, are the stamped repoped tailgates thin to?

Re: Tailgate question.
 

mostlikely becauce america is better, cheaper faster now and add that plus your question and you got the anwser there all cr*&

Re: Tailgate question.
 

I bought a really good, no damage or rust, original tailgate for $50. So they are out there.

Re: Tailgate question.
 

If you need a original I have a few, shipping might be the killer.