unibody tailgate diy

Guys here's a few pics from my humble uni tailgate build. I had a rusty relic that came on my truck and could not be salvaged. I couldnt pay 400 for a repop so in HAMB fashion I am trying to do it myself -

Here's the frame made from 3/16" for the side box sections and backers, with 1" pipe for the top and bottom rails. All this material plus the 4 side sections plasma cut out were about 60$.



Added the front side contour pieces in 18 guage:



The main back piece is one I had cut out, and louvered by Vic Carroll in Marietta (404-433-0373). He was very reasonable on price and did a great job. I tacked this piece on the back:




I have some other bent flange pieces for the top and bottom to try and make it look a little more factory .... should have her done in a few weeks.

 

Very very nice job.
Love to see this type of thinking/fabbing on your own.....

 

Very Nice. The two side pieces look like another taillight could fit (reversed) to match the existing lights.

 

That would look good!

 

Hmm you guys have me thinking

 

Great job, I like it(I also need one)........................

 

Love seeing guys build their own, even if a new one was available and cheap. Your's has way more class!

 

Great job. As many of the uni owners need a good tailgate, you might have a good side bidness.

 

Very nice work !!! I need to make one for my Grandsons 38 Chevy truck.
Tom (Tired Old Man)

 

I could use 2 of those!! That one looks awesome. I work in a metal fab shop and had wondered how hard it would be to fab one just had not gotten to the part where I need a tailgate.
THank you for the ideas.

 

very nice,a very sm bead of seam seal on those inside corners and seams will keep the water from working itself in.

 

Outstanding job. Looks great!

 

Harpo thats the ticket on the seam sealer .... going to add some angle pieces top and bottom to finsih and seam seal all the edges. Thanks guys -

 

Do you have any pictures of the latches that your using? are you using the factory type rods that hold it when it is open?

 

Okie I have not decided on the latches yet ....

 

Good job!

 

I have a couple of rusty ones that I was thinking of using for patterns when I got around to building a new one. I dont like the idea of paying 450 for a import one. I would much rather spend the cash on something else. I was thinking of a inside latch instead of how the factory had theirs.

 

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl...OmVCg&esq=1&page=1&ndsp=12&ved=1t:429,r:6,s:0

its been done before

 

Updated pics ... A friend and I punched holes on the endges of the angles to spot weld in ... this is just holding the unpunched upper piece in place.



After installing the pieces, seam sealing, and spray bombing it with white primer.





Planning to re-sand, tinker with a little body work, and paint body color when it warms up.

 

Cool! Mind if I post this up over on the Slick 60's site?

 

Thats fine with me blue ...

 

That turned out Very Nice!!!

 

HAHAHA read my mind! Nice work.

 

I'm glad you like it........I'm glad all the other posters like it ........ummmm....it's ugly....I must be a dick.

 

No I wouldnt say Dick ,"bitch" maybe, keyboards seem to make bitch's more ballsy,..
Why say anything, no one gives a shit about your opinion, let the man enjoy compliment's about his fab skills, now get off the computer and go pick on a 10 year old so you'll feel better.

 

ShaZaaammmmm! I like it. Tail gate that is, not the dick move from marvin. I saw the wheels on your truck, hate 'em, ugly as homemade sin. I also don't like your engine choice on you roadster. Too new and not HAMB friendly. Either one of them.

 

I was planning on making mine also, thanks for the pictures. $400 is way too much for a tailgate!!!

 

That is saweeet . I have 2 Uni's and ZERO Tailgates . I had plans of building one as the $400.00 repop isnt worth $4.00 from what I have heard . Thanks for the great writeup and pictures .


Rick