1960 Tailgate Modifications????
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Tuned
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Fountain
1960 Tailgate Modifications????
My dad had a 60 that he had customized, 390 3 duece set up. All chrome, power windows, very sweet truck, that is until he gave it to his idiot teenage son (me). One of the things he did was to use a diamond plate for the bed and then he put a 67 tailgate on the box. It looked really nice and was definitely an improvement over the factory tail gate. Unfortunately Dad and the truck are long gone. I was just curious if any one else has modified their tailgates. (I only have one picture of the tailgate from an angle, If I could figure out out to scan it and add it to my gallery I would).
Last edited by samahi72; Feb 20, 2007 at 05:01 PM. Reason: update
Roast em' if you got 'em
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 22,014
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From: Rio Rancho, NM
I sure hope you can figure out how to get the pic scanned in, I'd like to see it.
I modified my tailgate(pics in gallery). Basically I made my own. The perimeter of my gate was pretty well hammered. I took some conduit and angle and rebuilt the frame. In the process I fabricated my own spring pin latches to hold it shut. I havent gotten to the straps yet but I'm working on several different ideas.
I'm also modifying the bed too. I'm using the front panel and bed floor from a 2005 GMC (it was a freeby) I havent gotten the bed floor in place yet but I do have the front panel welded in (see gallery)
Bobby
I modified my tailgate(pics in gallery). Basically I made my own. The perimeter of my gate was pretty well hammered. I took some conduit and angle and rebuilt the frame. In the process I fabricated my own spring pin latches to hold it shut. I havent gotten to the straps yet but I'm working on several different ideas.
I'm also modifying the bed too. I'm using the front panel and bed floor from a 2005 GMC (it was a freeby) I havent gotten the bed floor in place yet but I do have the front panel welded in (see gallery)
Bobby
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Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Riverside, So Cal
I did extensive mods to my tailgate as part of the modifications to my bed. Here is the link:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...&albumid=15273
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...&albumid=15273
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Tuned
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Fountain
Originally Posted by bobbytnm
I sure hope you can figure out how to get the pic scanned in, I'd like to see it.
I modified my tailgate(pics in gallery). Basically I made my own. The perimeter of my gate was pretty well hammered. I took some conduit and angle and rebuilt the frame. In the process I fabricated my own spring pin latches to hold it shut. I havent gotten to the straps yet but I'm working on several different ideas.
I'm also modifying the bed too. I'm using the front panel and bed floor from a 2005 GMC (it was a freeby) I havent gotten the bed floor in place yet but I do have the front panel welded in (see gallery)
Bobby
I modified my tailgate(pics in gallery). Basically I made my own. The perimeter of my gate was pretty well hammered. I took some conduit and angle and rebuilt the frame. In the process I fabricated my own spring pin latches to hold it shut. I havent gotten to the straps yet but I'm working on several different ideas.
I'm also modifying the bed too. I'm using the front panel and bed floor from a 2005 GMC (it was a freeby) I havent gotten the bed floor in place yet but I do have the front panel welded in (see gallery)
Bobby
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Tuned
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Fountain
Originally Posted by Randy Jack
I did extensive mods to my tailgate as part of the modifications to my bed. Here is the link:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...&albumid=15273
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...&albumid=15273
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Tuned
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Fountain
Originally Posted by Walston
You can buy a new 60 tailgate from Dennis Carpenter now...FYI
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Tuned
Joined: Jun 2005
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From: Carnation, WA
I quite like the look of the original Tailgate on my 56. With the exception of all the rough edges. I am not sure if my Tailgate was original or a repro. But it seemed to be very ill fitting and the gaps between the component parts that go to make up the tailgate were irregular.
So my main concern was to neaten everything up and close all of the gaps. In the end I decided to make some quite subtle changes. I cut the ears off for the latches and put some hidden ones in the top rail.
I also added some angled sections in each end to complement the top and bottom edges. If that makes sense? The top and bottom have an angled face at approx 60 degrees, but each end is at 90. So now I have a similar angle all round.
This pics give an idea of what I have done before being finished the average person would probably not even notice.
Cheers
Lee
So my main concern was to neaten everything up and close all of the gaps. In the end I decided to make some quite subtle changes. I cut the ears off for the latches and put some hidden ones in the top rail.
I also added some angled sections in each end to complement the top and bottom edges. If that makes sense? The top and bottom have an angled face at approx 60 degrees, but each end is at 90. So now I have a similar angle all round.
This pics give an idea of what I have done before being finished the average person would probably not even notice.
Cheers
Lee
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Roast em' if you got 'em
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Rio Rancho, NM
Originally Posted by samahi72
Fantastic job on the fabrication. I wish I knew how to weld. Another missed learning opportunity from my Dad. He was a great welder but he wasn't a very patient teacher and I was probably a worse student.
If I can weld, you can weld! All it takes is some practice, the right equipment, and the willingness to tackle the task at hand.
Bobby