Thought about welding my tailgate to my bed and was wondering who has done this. Likes and Dislikes. Like how is it to put wood in after its welded? Bed Gas tank does it make it a pain to fill up? Anything Else...

Thanks
Patrick

 

I have just one question. Why on earth would you want to do that? I'm sure the next owner will have some choice words about the PO!

 

Are you just trying to stop the chains from swinging on the gate? Why would you weld it shut? It will only make everything about the bed of the truck difficult to deal with. Try sweeping it out with the tailgate closed and then ask agian. Just my opinions.

 

sound kinda like a weard question. it would be find if you never want haul any thing heavier than you can lift over the side. if you want to build a show truck and you did a good job of welding it and blending it in it would make for a rear smooth back end. it would be unique if nothing else, i mean some people weld there doors shut.

 

Why would you want to screw-up such a beautiful truck? If it is making a unwanted noise, find the area or part doing it/fix it. It could be a cracked weld, chains or the tailgate. If it's the tailgate, take it off and use a web like many modern pickups. Present the problem on FTE and someone will suggest a better solution for you. It definately would effect resale values. Have a great day,chuck

 

Thats why I was asking for opinions. Read alot and some show trucks weld their tailgate shut.

Patrick

 

I thinking:

Pros..no rattles

Con...No open

 

the only one i could think of that would do that would be show truck builders, are you building a show truck or a sunday cruser grocery getter.

 

Words fail me here.

I have seen this done, and it sucks.

It would be like lowering a Jeep to the ground....which I have also seen done.

Kinda defeats the purpose of a pickup bed, doesn't it?

Please don't do it. And if you do, please don't tell me.

 

I'm sure you're getting tired of all the advice by now, but here's my $.02. I'm sure it would look cool to completely smooth it out. BUT..there are so many cool ways to clean up the back, hide the latches, hinges, smooth covers, etc. There must be a dozen different ways and hundreds more you could invent that would still leave it functional. It IS a truck after all....

 

I must not get it; there are tons of classic cars out there, so what do people do?
They instead buy a truck, drop it to the ground and weld the gate shut....gee.... its now nearly a car.

 

I would never think about hauling anything in the bed. Ive invested alot of cash in my 55 without trying to get the bed dinged up. It will prob almost be a show truck when everything is said and done.

Patrick

 

I'm not building my truck for show but even if I were I'd want a functioning tailgate. Without it the bed may as well be a trunk. If you feel that you have to weld it shut, how about a couple of very small tacks which could be easily broken if the next owner chooses to use the tailgate as intended? We've heard a lot of unflattering stories on this forum about previous owners. Mine welded the seat frame to the floor. Don't be in one of those stories...

 

Ok, so we're in the minority. My son didn't have a tailgate so we made our own and he wanted a NASCAR style truck so we added a spoiler and welded them in. He doesn't have any intentions of hauling anything in it so no need for it to open.

 

Con: You can't Tailgate at the big game!

If you have rattles, get the rubber wedge shaped things that are supposed to go at the upper edge of the tailgate. I had a loose chain clamp. The rubber wedges were laying on my shop bench for years. On a chacne I out them in and it tighened the whole thing up and now the clamps are tight, the tailgate id tight, and the backend of the bed sides are firmer.