I was thinking of getting a reproduction tailgate for my 59 style side and possibly a chrome front bumper. Anybody out there had experience with either one of those? I know we all prefer the real deal but my body man says the tailgate requires way too much work because the metal is heavier. I was told by a chevy guy that his after market tailgate bent when he stood on it. I won't be doing that but it does get your attention. I don't know if the bumpers are light weight or cheap chrome or both. I do know that almost everything from china is garbage. Who's got the best parts DC, LMC, Mac's, Orange Truck Shop??? Any input would help. If anyone out there has these items in "very good" condition, send me a PM.THX. Steve in Central Cal.

 

The aftermarket sheetmetal and bumpers pretty much come from the same sources no matter who you buy them from. Quality seems to vary without respect to price. Several years ago (2011) I saw an ad in Hemmings Motor News from someone making some sheetmetal parts for the 57 to 60s. I have not checked the ads lately, but that is a place to look so you could make contact and see if someone os making or just reselling what the big vendors are.

And those old tailgates were not all that strong when new. 150 pounds right in the middle would bend them back then.

 

Thanks for the tip and your opinion. I'll check Hemmings.

 

Not calling you wrong, but I frequently have several hundred pounds on or near the center of my tailgate and it hasn't bent in the slightest.

I had a 2010 Tacoma that the tailgate folded up on a few times (kept getting warranty replacements) under what I would call normal use (loading motorcycles) before I sold it.

 

Hi Nick. I didn't mean that my original tailgate bent, it's stood up to some heavy stuff. I was trying to say the Chevy aftermarket tailgate bent when he stood on it. I'm assuming the LMC and other tailgates will be the same junk. Was your tailgate aftermarket? If so where did you get it? Thanks for your input.
Steve.

 

Gotcha. What he said was "those old tailgates were not all that strong when new" so I assumed he was talking about the original tailgates, which is what I have and am happy with. I'm sure the aftermarket ones are thinner sheet metal, but I'd be surprised if it was total junk. The geometry itself gives these tailgates pretty serious stiffness.

 

I used LMC to get all the glass for my 58 and I was very surprised with the shipping methods they use. I have never had a bad experience with them, I recommend them to everyone that asks me about parts for old trucks. I have used MACs but their shipping was much slower.

 

Huh lucky. I could get you a list of 100+ people I know fairly well that have had terrible experiences with them and will never use them again including myself. I could rant for hours but I wont

 

amen Brother!