Gm Tailgate

[69moneypit]

Is an authorized Gm restoration tailgate of the same quality of an NOS tailgate and close to the same weight.

[lofly'a]

NOS - new old stock (an original part made by GM)

Authorized part - a reproduction made to GM specs (some are good, some are very good, and some are cheap asian junk that bear a slight resemblance to a GM part.

on the latter, ask guys who have bought one before you sink your money in it. some just don't fit right. i'd buy a good used original before i'd buy repro anyday, but sometimes you have no choice.

how about it guys, the man needs a tailgate - goodmark, mar-k, etc, etc, etc...............?

[Gary]

Me too - my tailgate is shot I'm gonna do some junk yard diving but unless I find a near pristine one I'm gonna order a repro, I see them for about $150 - 180 here and there, some dude on Ebay always has an auction for a new repro tailgate (no make stamps of course) for $155 + whatever shipping.

[1969 GMC]

It's been my experience that most repop tailgates are poop. Never bought one for a 67-72, but we did buy one for our old '76 Ford F250. Forget who it was made by...anyway, dropped a washing machine on it and the thing cracked! I know any tailgate would have sustained a big dent from something like that, and this one was no exception, but it friggin cracked on the inner side around the top and a little bit on the outside. Never again....

[HeavyD]

I have heard they are junk too. Best to try and find a good used one...they appear on the board from time to time.

[special-K]

If you get a chance to get your ol`beater gate next to a repro,pick each one up.Feel the weight.There`s your difference.If your truck`s going to be a pretty-boy and not see any hauling,you`re fine.But be gentle if you do.

[72MARIO]

If you can't find a NOS gate Tri Plus and Goodmark are the best companys. The lettering is a bit smaller and the fit depends on who in the factory built it. I had a NOs and a repo at the same time the repo was a bit lighter but it was alot better than the first repo junk. I bought a Tri Plus gate and found that the skin was not pressed tight bnefore spot welding to the ends where the latches bolt into. The skin stuck out pass the box side like 1/4". I was really lucky and I found a Brand new GM Cheverolet Gate. I paid 525 Cdn for it but the repo was around 450. When I took the repo gate back the shop was totally cool about it and he said that it all depends on the gate some are good others are junky. You are best to deal with a local shop. That way if there is a problem you can exchange it.

[HeavyD]

The letters are smaller than GM? I don't get it..why can't they make a part just llike original? They can laser and eyeball now but they can't make a decent repro tailgate. This has to be annoying for vendors too...I mean , I WANT to see perfect copies so I can just order 4K worth of stuff and be done with it. When I dealt with Mustangs it was all junk too. The repro MACH 1 trunk letters for my 70 were made of PLASTIC...ARRRRGGH.