eBay Plastic Rear Tailgate anyone?

[Last Flight Out]

So before I ask… I am exploring this option just for a simple way to enclose the back of my tub when the top is off. It is not going to look 100% like a factory tailgate - nor is it going to function like one - and I totally get that but I’m just not wanting to sink $1,100 on an all metal one from SOR (Real Metal is now defunct) and the $100-200 price point is attractive for one that looks close to a factory look (textured finish aside, I can fix that). Even at that price, I can hang in my office as a decoration.

But has anyone bought and installed one of these? Looking for the good, the bad…and maybe the down-right ugly.

Pardon Our Interruption...

 

[Teddy]

They aren't bad. They serve the purpose they are intended for, at the price point they are at.

We've installed a few on customer trucks at their request and nothing stands out to me as being egregiously wrong with them fitment wise. The plastic seems plenty durable to last many years just being used when the hard top is off.

 

[charliemeyer007]

I would do a recycled hardwood wood flooring unit. Hickory/Pecan maybe with birdseye maple/ash trim.

 

[CondeCruiser]

They aren't bad. They serve the purpose they are intended for, at the price point they are at.

We've installed a few on customer trucks at their request and nothing stands out to me as being egregiously wrong with them fitment wise. The plastic seems plenty durable to last many years just being used when the hard top is off.

Have you ever painted one? I know there are a few old threads on here somewhere about these.

 

[Teddy]

Have you ever painted one? I know there are a few old threads on here somewhere about these.

We haven't. With proper prep, I'm sure a color matched plastic spray can would stick. I don't think it'd be worth spending the time on it though. They vibrate a lot and it's a hollow core. The paint would probably start cracking in short order.

 

[brian]

there once was a fiberglass option....no idea if there still is though.

 

[Last Flight Out]

Thanks everyone… Good insight from you all, including the wood recommendation! I would even consider that if it had the right look for my rig (not joking here). But I’ve been speaking to my body guy and he definitely knowns he can paint it. He does a lot of plastic similar to this where people are trying to remove the textured finishes like on rock slider caps, or plastic bumpers. He says with all the different curvature of this piece, It’s not gonna look perfect because it’s hard to get sanders in the small corners and such. So I may end up just leaving it textured for now. Also thought about filling up the hollow core with some expandable foam just to add a little more “thunk” to it and minimize rattles.

Again, it may fit the bill. I think the fiberglass one is no more as well.

 

[Last Flight Out]

We haven't. With proper prep, I'm sure a color matched plastic spray can would stick. I don't think it'd be worth spending the time on it though. They vibrate a lot and it's a hollow core. The paint would probably start cracking in short order.

@Teddy any pics perhaps of one you put on a 40? If not, can you tell me if the edges just sits on top of the body panels? Or does it actually fit into the recess opening? I have an ‘81 so would need to round out the bottom edges to accommodate the production changes.

 

[White Stripe]

Gozzard has one

 

[pbgbottle]

That looks pretty cool I did not know this existed. Hmm.

 

[jim land]

I have the gozzard one since 2002 and it is stronger than steel

GC124 - DROP TAILGATE

FRP panel is hand laid. This simply tailgate is design to fill the opening when the hard top is removed. It can be hinged down or cut in half and hinge out.

gozzardcomposites.com

 

[Last Flight Out]

Gozzard has one

Yep saw the fiberglass one

 

[Last Flight Out]

I have the gozzard one since 2002 and it is stronger than steel

GC124 - DROP TAILGATE

FRP panel is hand laid. This simply tailgate is design to fill the opening when the hard top is removed. It can be hinged down or cut in half and hinge out.

gozzardcomposites.com

Jim, can you dm or post a pic of your Gozzard? Any insights you can provide around fitting and attaching? Curious about fit and finish and what hardware you used. Thanks!

 

[RevISK]

I have a temporary set of plywood saloon doors, been on there over a year. Hit them with spar urethane and slapped a pair of toggle clamps on there.

TROA has a tailgate option, currently for the earlier, squared off opening but I’ve been working with them on an option for later models.

 

[Chungas Revenge]

Metal powder coated from CCOT. Shown in the test fit stage. It’s now predrilled for a license plate mount on the right side. In the process of adding a soft top so it’s no longer needed.

Hit me with a DM if you might be interested. We’ll treat you right at Uncle Chunga’s “used parts” Emporium..

Note: this tailgate is not @jim land approved.

 

[RevISK]

Looking at the plastic one again, it is squared off for fitment in the earlier tubs as is the FRP one and Chungas. I believe you have an ‘81?

Something to consider.

 

[jim land]

Jim, can you dm or post a pic of your Gozzard? Any insights you can provide around fitting and attaching? Curious about fit and finish and what hardware you used. Thanks!

I chose to cut it to get barn doors , easy to work and modify , install with stock used hinges from SOR
I will take some detail pics in the next days

 

[Chungas Revenge]

Better pic w/the license plate bracket installed.

 

[Last Flight Out]

Looking at the plastic one again, it is squared off for fitment in the earlier tubs as is the FRP one and Chungas. I believe you have an ‘81?

Something to consider.

Yes know this - will round off (if I got this route) but hoping to hear from @Teddy from his experience if it sits into recess or on top of bodywork. Hard to tell by the pics.

 

[Last Flight Out]

I chose to cut it to get barn doors , easy to work and modify , install with stock used hinges from SOR
I will take some detail pics in the next days

View attachment 3852509

@jim land thanks for posting. Really well done...would appear that I would need to drill in 2 more holes (each side) to fit a lower bracket on my 81. That may be a deal breaker for me.