Tailgate swap?
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Junior User
Joined: Dec 2008
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Tailgate swap?
Well, for reasons I would rather not talk about, I need a tailgate for my 66. There is one for sale nearby for a 70. Will it fit? I know it won't look right, but will it physically work? It will only be until I can find the correct tailgate.
Thanks!
Thanks!
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Junior User
Joined: Dec 2008
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OK, ya got me. In my own defense, I had a huge load of limbs on the back, so no rear view, and only partial out of both side mirrors. It was actually my mailbox. One of those that they build from the same bricks as the house. Must weigh about a ton, literally, because I broke two ropes trying to stand the damn thing back up. I'm going back out this morning with my engine hoist, and give it another shot. At least it stayed in one piece, so all I have to do is stand it up and get it back in the right place.I'll post pics of the carnage to the truck.
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,985
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From: Sewanee, Tennessee
There was a local "personality" around here trying to get those brick mailboxes outlawed. He claimed they were death traps. I guess it might be true...for tailgates, anyway. 
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Junior User
Joined: Dec 2008
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OK, maybe I won't post pics, not enough posts yet. I don't feel too bad, though. This is a house we just bought, and I'm not used to the layout yet, so it's not like I backed into a mail box that I had driven past a hundred times.
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 389
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From: Glendale, AZ
Anything can be straightened. My tailgate had a really bad bow in that we were able to take out. It also had dents in the top that had to be fixed. It all just took time.
This is how I fixed mine. I pulled on one tab, then moved to another and kept going. The dents in the top were drilled and pulled out with a slide hammer. Some of them had to have a tab welded on and then pulled out with a bigger slide knocker.
Here is the finished product.
Again, anything can be fixed with the time and a lot of work.
Kevin
This is how I fixed mine. I pulled on one tab, then moved to another and kept going. The dents in the top were drilled and pulled out with a slide hammer. Some of them had to have a tab welded on and then pulled out with a bigger slide knocker.
Here is the finished product.
Again, anything can be fixed with the time and a lot of work.
Kevin
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
Likes: 74
From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
Anything can be straightened. My tailgate had a really bad bow in that we were able to take out. It also had dents in the top that had to be fixed. It all just took time.
This is how I fixed mine. I pulled on one tab, then moved to another and kept going. The dents in the top were drilled and pulled out with a slide hammer. Some of them had to have a tab welded on and then pulled out with a bigger slide knocker.
Again, anything can be fixed with the time and a lot of work.
Kevin
This is how I fixed mine. I pulled on one tab, then moved to another and kept going. The dents in the top were drilled and pulled out with a slide hammer. Some of them had to have a tab welded on and then pulled out with a bigger slide knocker.
Again, anything can be fixed with the time and a lot of work.
Kevin
Very nice work.
John
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Junior User
Joined: Dec 2008
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Very nicely done, and I agree: anything can be fixed. I'm thinking mine would take a bit longer, though...
You can't see it in these pics, but there is an imprint of the spacing between the bricks, pressed into the surface of the steel. I spent a couple hours yesterday standing the mailbox back up and getting it back into the right position. I think it weighs at least a ton, maybe more. I ran a tow rope from the top of the mailbox, over a 2x6 about 4 feet long, then to the bumper hitch, and pulled it right up onto it's feet. Sliding it fully onto the pad and getting it squared up actually took longer. I'm picking up the '70 tailgate today.
You can't see it in these pics, but there is an imprint of the spacing between the bricks, pressed into the surface of the steel. I spent a couple hours yesterday standing the mailbox back up and getting it back into the right position. I think it weighs at least a ton, maybe more. I ran a tow rope from the top of the mailbox, over a 2x6 about 4 feet long, then to the bumper hitch, and pulled it right up onto it's feet. Sliding it fully onto the pad and getting it squared up actually took longer. I'm picking up the '70 tailgate today.
Last edited by 66 F-100; Jul 16, 2010 at 06:44 AM. Reason: picture spacing, adding verbage
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 389
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From: Glendale, AZ
I think that I will change my thoughts and agree that probably a different tailgate will be the better choice. It could be fixed but it would be a lot of time and effort to do it. I am not a body repair man but I had an excellent retired body man that was guiding me and helping me on my project. I learned a lot from this my truck project and I am probably stupid enough to take on another project.
Best of luck with the new gate.
Kevin
Best of luck with the new gate.
Kevin
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 825
Likes: 2
From: Dallas, Texas
Anything can be straightened. My tailgate had a really bad bow in that we were able to take out. It also had dents in the top that had to be fixed. It all just took time.
This is how I fixed mine. I pulled on one tab, then moved to another and kept going. The dents in the top were drilled and pulled out with a slide hammer. Some of them had to have a tab welded on and then pulled out with a bigger slide knocker.
Here is the finished product.
Again, anything can be fixed with the time and a lot of work.
Kevin
This is how I fixed mine. I pulled on one tab, then moved to another and kept going. The dents in the top were drilled and pulled out with a slide hammer. Some of them had to have a tab welded on and then pulled out with a bigger slide knocker.
Here is the finished product.
Again, anything can be fixed with the time and a lot of work.
Kevin