I don't know the weight at present. I don't expect it to get much heavier since I only have a few minor styling features to add. I have a stock F100 tailgate that I can use to compare the weight. It's not as heavy as it may look. I haven't made any final decisions on the hinges yet. I don't think the weight will be any issue with the hinges.

I'll post pictures as I get a little further along.

Thanks,
Andrew

 

I made a little progress today on my tailgate build. I tacked in the 1/8" rods that I will use to create vertical character lines.



Also fitted the steel sleeves in the bottom tube that will be the pivot point for the hinges.







I'll tig these sleeves in as soon as I'm sure that my hinge idea is going to work.

Also fabricated the hinge pivots that will mount on the bed sides. I will fab another set out of stainless after I'm sure how this design works. I'll be able to polish the stainless pivots so that no paint will be necessary.







With the hinge pivots installed I checked the fit to the bed. This tailgate will sit inside the bedsides unlike the stock tailgate.



The stock tailgate weight was 26.5 lbs. My fabbed tailgate weighs 32.5 lbs. I could have built it lighter but I tried to make use of materials I already had

Andrew

 

Very nicely done. I especially like your use of the hidden hinges. You do very nice fab work.

 

He's GOOD!

 

That looks really nice. Good job.

Chuck

 

i'm jealous

 

Thanks for the compliments! Just trying to do something a little different.

Anyone got any suggestions for latching this tailgate. I don't want any chains or latches that would show outside of the bed. Keep in mind that at present there is no stop inside the bed to keep the tailgate from falling over on to the bed floor. I've kicked around several ideas, but nothing seems to click for me....yet.

Any thoughts????

Thanks,
Andrew

 

What about the setup that the Elcamino`s used. A sliding latch like your house door has with a square plate with a squre in it. Handle inside back of tail gate you lift up on it and it pulls the sliding latche out of the bracket and allows the tail gate to be moved.

 

One of the FTE members made a spring loaded. sliding pin in the top of the tailgate on each end. There are pictures. Someone will name him soon. chuck