ways to fix tailgate?

[41/53dodges]

i dont know how many others have had this issue, but the tube on my tailgate is rotted out, and i mean pretty much gone! does anybody have some ideas?

this is also my first photobucket link, so let's see if it works...

http://s1113.photobucket.com/albums/k513/4153dodges/

[Dave72dt]

I've used conduit and L shaped pieces welded on to the main portions of tailgates to duplicate original p[anels.. ground the welds smooth and a trace of filler for final smoothing.

[buds truck]

I'm building one out of the front panel of the bed just because I can??? It won't have the logo, but should be a fun challenge anyways. Since my truck is a custom anyways, I am taking another back off another cab and making a front for the bed so the curves match. Alot of work for looks huh?

[Young Ed]

Bud are you going to move the bed forward slightly so the cab and box are kind of nestled together? Awesome idea

[buds truck]

there will be about an inch and a half or so between them. Still trying to figure out how to bend the tubing though.....

[Dave72dt]

I'm building one out of the front panel of the bed just because I can??? It won't have the logo, but should be a fun challenge anyways. Since my truck is a custom anyways, I am taking another back off another cab and making a front for the bed so the curves match. Alot of work for looks huh?

Will that leave the inside front corners of the bed looking a bit awkward?

[buds truck]

nothing a bit of "modifying" wont cure..... we shall see, good point though.

[ggdad1951]

there will be about an inch and a half or so between them. Still trying to figure out how to bend the tubing though.....

tarring bender....maybe a local exhaust shop can help you out?

[Scruffy49]

Mine is covered with a piece of chain link fence upper rail tubing sliced and spread to fit. Hold in place with sheetmetal screws while the edges are welded, then pull the screws and weld up the holes. I also sleeved the inside of the old tube remnants with thin wall iron pipe for a better fit on the side pivots.

My truck never has had a center mount for the tailgate, so I did not have to deal with cutting a recess in the new tubing to make it fit.

I guess it helps that my truck hasn't been stone stock since before I was born, Grandpa wore it out hauling 4H and FFA steers/heifers and the bed had been modified for that use. Plus it has a 48 P15 218 right now, getting a 56 Savoy engine transplant, 12 volt conversion, one piece bedfloor, etc.

Working trucks don't have to be concours correct.

[ggdad1951]

BTW, I have a "spare" tailgate I picked up in my looking for a new one for mine, a bit beat up (dents) but the tube is great shape. PM me if you are interested. I'd let it go to you for what I paid for it.

[olddodgeguy]

Here's what I did with the bed corners on my truck. Might be a solution for others. Mike