Tail Gate Panels ????

[volksmike]

Anybody else have these panels on their tailgate? Are they supposed to be flat?

[Jersey]

Those came stock like that on the '79 models.

[volksmike]

I figured that was the case, not sure when it was started. Are they supposed to be flat accross with the ribs? Mine have a small amount of bowl shape in between the tailgate structure ribs. Might have been from cargo impact.:confused:

[Jersey]

yea mine is flat across and has the ribs, it looks just like yours. as for the bowl shapes in between the ribs, that must be from impact.

[78kingcab]

mines the same w/ribs they sure will save a tailgate..:)

[Dat620guy]

I'd love to have one on my truck. That's why I hate hauling big stuff in the bed.

[Steroid]

Those were on the '79 trucks. Not just kingcabs, but all models. It finally took Nissan/Datsun 7 years to figure out that trucks needed them to protect from internal tailgate damage.

 

I purchase every one that I can find. I was lucky enough to find one in good enough shape to have chromed, which will be on one of My projects eventually. What I have been doing is taking them all to APC in Las Vegas where they are streightened (flattened) properly and then pwwder coated on both sides. They have done four of them so far and actually have 3 right now. The finish that they do is two toned with silver and black. I believe that it is called "hammer finish". You see it a lot lately on chairs and stuff. It is somewhat like looking at beach sand with black intermixed with the silver. Durable and looks good too.

 

Your liner just needs some detailing. It is straighter then some I have started with!!

[Bandit240]

Mike, the bowl shape is just from age and wear. You should see how bad the one on my '78 is. Just do what i did, take it off and put it on a cement floor bed side down and jump on it a few times. Helps alot.

[Steroid]

Yes!!!! I did "The Stomp" on one of Mine before taking it to Vegas!!! The metal working guy there is amazing on how He finishes them!!

[g-mam]

Has anyone just put a sheet of flat metal across the tailgate? This is my plan before I put Herculiner in there. I will just screw it to the tailgate. I'm just not sure what guage sheeting I should use. I'll have someone cut it to size for me.

 

I've even thought about using stainless steel.

[fastdadd]

Has anyone just put a sheet of flat metal across the tailgate? This is my plan before I put Herculiner in there. I will just screw it to the tailgate. I'm just not sure what guage sheeting I should use. I'll have someone cut it to size for me.

 

I've even thought about using stainless steel.

 

i have a piece of 1/8 inch plate on mine

 

[g-mam]

I wonder if a really thick piece of Lexan would hold up. See-Thru would be kind of cool :D

 

I just want to be able to roll my motorcycle in.

[Z-train]

From the looks of that panel,someone let Rosie O'Donnell sit on their tailgate:eek::blink:

[mike]

If you find a front diamond plate bed protecter off of a full size truck in a yard, grab it. They can be cut down easy. A POS skill saw with a decent blade works, set the depth shallow and make a couple passes till its through. They are light and you can polish them up easy on the smooth side...Bling bling...

 

Use hearing protection and a dust mask, aluminum dust is some nasty shit... Alzheimers disease and more.

 

If you scout recycling places sometimes you can buy them buy the pound, or a little over what they are paying for scrap. Ive been looking for a couple sheets that are big enough to do the bed sides, mines got the little dents all the way down at the seam...:mad:

[Bandit240]

Heres a pic of the liner on mine.

 

[Weaver]

Yep, got one on my 79. It's bowled just like yours, I might try the stomping on a concrete floor method before I paint it. :lol:

[datzenmike]

Those came stock like that on the '79 models.

 

Those gate liners were optional from 05 '76. The '79 had a different pt. number but are the same.

[BaKed]

just get rid of the panel....its just more weight added to your truck....thats what i did...i also got rid of my 18" Nissan Titan Rims....if anyone need a set gimme a holler

[datzenmike]

Keep it or the tailgate will soon look like hammered shit.

[volksmike]

From the looks of that panel,someone let Rosie O'Donnell sit on their tailgate:eek::blink:

Keep it or the tailgate will soon look like hammered shit.

 

Should be ok now Rosie is doing well enough not to need a ride home.

[cody]

for my tailgate the previous owner took a piece of plastic from another bed liner of some sort and cut a piece then screwed it on ....

 

then he did i roll in bedliner over it alll...

[whitechef]

I screwed a piece of 1/2 " plywood to mine.

[coolioni]

I am going to have a body shop completly cut out the bottom of my bed which is getting so rusty at this point I can make holes in it just about anywhere.

I am going to have them replace it all with new sheet metal and weld it in.

I am hoping to get this done this month coming up.

I will take some before and fter pics when I do it.