The tailgate on my '87 Blazer is typical GM - paint is in great shape, but the thing is rotting away and rattles like nothing I've ever heard. Pickup tailgates seem to be a popular swap, and tube doors also seem to be popular, so I was wondering if anyone actually made a tubular tailgate. I'd tossed around the idea of getting a local shop to weld one up for me, but can't find any decent shops that seem to be willing to do it.
CK5
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Tube tailgate?
- Thread starter Element
- Start date
Well, depends on what you're doing for the top, I would imagine.
Soft-tops scream for the pickup tailgate -- in fact, GM offered this with the factory soft-top in 76-77-ish.
I did a square tube frame for my '74 K5, but it's topless full time, so the fact that the tailgate isn't ... well, so much of a gate
... is okay.
The 60" Hi-Lift mounts across the top, room for two jerrycans and the OBA tank. It bolts into place in the sides and took very minor trimming to fit in place of the factory tailgate ... very strong, prolly keeps the body from flexing.
That said, I think I'm gonna switch to a toolbox back there, move the OBA tank up on top of it and put the gas cans somewhere else. The joy of running with no top means I don't have to worry about fumes (well, more like the truck smells no matter what
)
-- A
Soft-tops scream for the pickup tailgate -- in fact, GM offered this with the factory soft-top in 76-77-ish.
I did a square tube frame for my '74 K5, but it's topless full time, so the fact that the tailgate isn't ... well, so much of a gate
... is okay.The 60" Hi-Lift mounts across the top, room for two jerrycans and the OBA tank. It bolts into place in the sides and took very minor trimming to fit in place of the factory tailgate ... very strong, prolly keeps the body from flexing.
That said, I think I'm gonna switch to a toolbox back there, move the OBA tank up on top of it and put the gas cans somewhere else. The joy of running with no top means I don't have to worry about fumes (well, more like the truck smells no matter what
)-- A
It'd be for a hardtop Blazer with the top still on. She's a daily driver and while it's been unseasonably dry around here the past 3 months, I can't leave the top off. I'd really just like a simple deal to replace the stocker, with a bit of plate steel to keep things from sliding out of the back.
lak2004
1/2 ton status
Element said:
I dont think you could do it very easily with tube if you were wanting to keep the rear window. If you got rid of the window I dont see why it would be too difficult. Why not just get a replacement out of the junk yard or something?
Don't need the window or anything. Really not a whole lot of junkyards around here, not for that sort of thing....if I got one, it'd probably be as rusted out as mine is now. I also thought it'd be nice if the sheeting was held in place with a few nuts, instead of being welded on, so when I go 'wheeling, I could pull the sheet off and get a lot more rear visibility.
lak2004
1/2 ton status
I think the best way would be to use some 2x2" square tubing and just make it simple (like Dremu's) and copy the latches if you still want it to act like a tailgate. hardest part will be some sort of release maybe just use a spring loaded pin on either side that you would have to release individually.
As for a panel I would weld screw threads to the inside and use wing nuts so it can be removalable. Just some ideas.
As for a panel I would weld screw threads to the inside and use wing nuts so it can be removalable. Just some ideas.
Something like that would work pretty well...don't need to be able to let it down, so I wouldn't have to worry about latches or anything like that. The wing nut idea is pretty good, too.
Now I need to find a shop that'll do it...tried 3 already and 2 flat-out refused, and one guy didn't quite understand what I wanted.
Now I need to find a shop that'll do it...tried 3 already and 2 flat-out refused, and one guy didn't quite understand what I wanted.
lak2004
1/2 ton status
Check out the regional forums for anybody in your area, I am sure a fellow member would be willing to help you out, plus a good way to meet some new guys.
