I have a bad tail gate on my '93 that I have to replace some day. The good news is that the same one fits many years and models.
Bent (and leaking) tailgate
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More Turbo
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 658
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Bent (and leaking) tailgate
So my tailgate is bent outwards (I have no idea how the previous owner did that...) and when I loaded it up with gravel the other day, rocks started pooping out the back. Not particularly safe for drivers behind me. Any ideas on how to fix this besides a new tailgate? I was thinking of maybe welding a piece of channel iron on the bottom or something...
The bend outwards is large enough to allow 3/4" rocks thru...
The bend outwards is large enough to allow 3/4" rocks thru...
Thread Starter
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More Turbo
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 658
Likes: 2
heh, your replying to all my threads this morning! 
your truck looks almost exactly like mine, btw...
Not without a torch, some drilling, and, well, its going to make a mess....
your truck looks almost exactly like mine, btw...
Not without a torch, some drilling, and, well, its going to make a mess....
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 418
Likes: 0
From: Quad Cities, IA
I had a bent tailgate like that too... What I did on mine was attach a large piece of thick rubber (like a strip off of a floor mat or such) along the bottom edge. It was a wide enough strip that when I put anything on top of it, the weight would hold it in place and not allow stuff to fall out.
Actually, even without something on top of it, it worked pretty well. Kept water from getting out too, sometimes.
Actually, even without something on top of it, it worked pretty well. Kept water from getting out too, sometimes.
Hotshot
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 11,958
Likes: 228
Mine is black and it is just slightly curved. As for the rubber idea, what about just getting some of the cheap PepBoys body side molding and sticking that across there? I think that would do, since it has 3m sticky on it. Just clean the surface with rubbing alcohal real good before applying it. Since it comes in a roll you would have extra to double it up or redo it.
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 446
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From: Germany
Mine's white, bent, and uglier than yours............. I always have some feed sacks around and keep a couple behind the seat for crawling under or the sand/gravel thing. Just fold them in half lengthwise (or however you want) and set them "L" shaped on the bed against the tailgate. Throw some of whatever you're hauling on to hold them in place and load away. Carpet or something will do it to. Of course, replacing the TG will also work.
Have fun,
Dave
Have fun,
Dave
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 6,473
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From: Lafayette, IN
Well, I have you all beat. The PO of my truck was a welder, and somehow he managed to both bend the tailgate out (probably about 1" in the center), and the front panel of the bed, too (gap at the bottom, and top rail is closer to the cab than the two corners. So, HA! Oh, and my truck is mocha/beige, not white. 
Jason
Jason
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 446
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From: Germany
Dave
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 6,473
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From: Lafayette, IN
Nah...it's a work truck. Not to mention, because of the bend, most people can't get the tailgate open (it takes a little extra "oomph"), so I have a bit of a built-in security system. I'm actually hoping to put a utility bed on it at some point, if I can find a used one in decent shape for not too much.
Jason
Jason
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Joined: Dec 2007
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From: North Van BC, Canada. EH!
Nah...it's a work truck. Not to mention, because of the bend, most people can't get the tailgate open (it takes a little extra "oomph"), so I have a bit of a built-in security system. I'm actually hoping to put a utility bed on it at some point, if I can find a used one in decent shape for not too much.
Jason
Jason
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