Transforming the front bed panel into a tailgate

[buds truck]

I started working on converting my now un-needed stock front panel into a much needed tailgate. My old gate was welded up, braced, rusted out and generally cruddy. I kept looking at that front panel and the shape was about the same, the recesses were very close, so I thought "what the heck", grabbed my tape measure, die grinder, my angle iron metal brake and put my head down and got busy. I know it won't look completely stock, but neither does my truck.... First pic is the front panel, 2nd is the tailgate (trust me, it is worse than it looks. 3rd pic is cutting the bottom edge off the front panel, 4th pic is cutting off the top round cap so I could make it into a bottom tailgate hinge, 5th pic is cutting off the sides so I could add the "z" pieces that I would need to make.

[buds truck]

I made the "Z" pieces with angle iron, vice grips and a hammer, I drilled holes for the spot welds and fit the pieces on the sides. I then put the upper round bar down at the bottom to make the new hinge area.

[buds truck]

Then I cut the original hinge area out because the new one is slightly bigger, but the old one tapped into the new with just a bit of cutting and modification. The rest of the pic are where I stopped at for the night. I have to go and find a new piece of rectangular tubing for the top piece and then figure out where to get rivets to add the tailgate latches to the new tailgate. I will post more when I get back to it. I hope this is of some interest to the group.

[carl b51]

Bud try Ranch and Home for the rivets its on broadway in Moses lake. Carl

[buds truck]

sweet, thanks Carl!! You live in Moses Lake!! We must meet!!!!!

[buds truck]

well, went out today and got a piece of square tubing for the top part of my new tailgate, measured and cut it to length. Then I cut off the tailgate latches, cleaned them up and popped out the blind rivets. I then put the upper tube in place clamped it, measured again and again, and welded the tube into place.

[buds truck]

here is a couple pics of the tube welded into place. I then placed the latches where they belonged, had to cut a small piece out of the side plate to make them correct. I didn't have any blind rivets and although a member told me where to get them, I had some round head bolts that were just the ticket for what I needed and like I said, it is not a spot on replacement anyways.

one pic shows before latches, another after latches, they are not in order and I'm too tired to care...... Next step is to graft in the "DODGE" emblem in the center. Soooo,, whaddya think so far????

[pflaming]

Why not a four letter word in that tailgate, like "FORD"!:D:D Beautiful work! Must be fun to be a metal artist.

[carl b51]

Bud that tail gate is lookin goood keep it up . Carl

[buds truck]

I got the "DODGE" insignia welded in place today, so its about as done as it is gonna get for now. Ya think this will make a reasonable facimile for a tailgate???

[pflaming]

"Only your hairdresser will know"!!! Very nice.

[David A.]

Fantastic job! I have enjoyed following your progress, and I really admire your skill.

David A.

[Gizzardsniffer]

Great job!