Tailgate fix: It ain't too pretty but works...

cliff clavin · #1 (**permalink**) 03-12-2008, 10:52 AM

I bought the Tundra to be able to carry a snowmobile and quad (if i ever get a quad) in the bed and was concerned about the weakness in the tailgate. Also, a snowmobile has metal carbides under the skis which could scratch the hell out of the unprotected bed. While line x looks great, it does not address the weakness in the tailgate and the snowmobile carbides would make a mess out of it.....

A common liner in the oil patch is plywood. Many guys running trucks use these plywood liners. Finding one for a GM or Ford is no problem (a company uses a template to cut the wood for it and ships it to the retailer who does the install). Finding one for the Crewmax was more of a problem. Anyway found a store that sourced the template (mine was the first Crewmax) and did the install. The notch in the tailgate is for my fold a cover.

Like the title says, it ain't too pretty but it should solve the weak tailgate issue.....The photos were using my phone so the pictures are not the best.

Regards,

shadyskins · #2 (**permalink**) 03-12-2008, 10:53 AM

so how much does a plywood liner cost???

jacksprat · #3 (**permalink**) 03-12-2008, 10:58 AM

function over form always made sense to me. Doesnt matter if it doesnt look good as long as it does it's job well.

TUNDRA786 · #4 (**permalink**) 03-12-2008, 10:59 AM

I think it looks alright. Id take that over no liner or even a drop in liner. Is that just painted treated ply wood?

jacksprat · #5 (**permalink**) 03-12-2008, 10:59 AM

since plywood is cheap, a plywood liner should be cheap. Now if Cliff would be so kind as to post dimensions of those plywood peices any of us could cut up the planks and fit together our own plywood liner....

mxsjw · #6 (**permalink**) 03-12-2008, 11:07 AM

I like it...
Question, what's the notch for at the edge of the gate?
and
Looking at your pictures, you just gave me an idea to "lock" in my rail system tie down points so they don't easily grow legs....couple stainless washers, ny-lok nuts and bolts at each end. Then it would take wrenches to remove them, like your cap mount points...thanks.

cliff clavin · #7 (**permalink**) 03-12-2008, 11:15 AM

The cost was about $425 or so. It would have been a bit cheaper had the template been readily available.

The plywood is just stained. Not much of a concern for me given that I will have it covered most of the time anyway.....

The notch is for the my cover.

The template they made was assuming there are no rails. I had the shop cut down the sides to allow me to use the rails.

C.

Sequoia2003 · #8 (**permalink**) 03-12-2008, 11:19 AM

Sorry man, but that looks so ghetto!

Why did you not use a liner or a spay liner and maybe put a plate of diamond plate on the rear gate?

Looking at your truck I hear Jeff Foxworth in the back of may head saying, "You know you're a red neck when you..."

azmatsci · #9 (**permalink**) 03-12-2008, 11:24 AM

Are you serious, $425? A sheet of 3/4" plywood is what, $80 now? For a couple of hundred you could get a sheet of diamond plate steel and have it plasma cut to size. I plan on a sheet of cheap 3/8" sheet steel and have it line-x'd to match my bed.

mgsw530 · #10 (**permalink**) 03-12-2008, 11:25 AM

How hard would it be to just measure,cut,and install yourself. Looks good (and durable)

Sixteen Quad · #11 (**permalink**) 03-12-2008, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sequoia2003

Sorry man, but that looks so ghetto!

Why did you not use a liner or a spay liner and maybe put a plate of diamond plate on the rear gate?

Looking at your truck I hear Jeff Foxworth in the back of may head saying, "You know you're a red neck when you..."

Did you even rear his post.

He said the Ski would eat up a spary in liner. I think it looks fine for a truck, some people actually use their trucks as trucks.

mxsjw · #12 (**permalink**) 03-12-2008, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cliff clavin

While line x looks great, it does not address the weakness in the tailgate and the snowmobile carbides would make a mess out of it.....

A common liner in the oil patch is plywood. Many guys running trucks use these plywood liners.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sequoia2003

Sorry man, but that looks so ghetto!

Why did you not use a liner or a spay liner and maybe put a plate of diamond plate on the rear gate?

Looking at your truck I hear Jeff Foxworth in the back of may head saying, "You know you're a red neck when you..."

You didn't read any of this, did you?

cliff clavin · #13 (**permalink**) 03-12-2008, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sequoia2003

Sorry man, but that looks so ghetto!

Why did you not use a liner or a spay liner and maybe put a plate of diamond plate on the rear gate?

Looking at your truck I hear Jeff Foxworth in the back of may head saying, "You know you're a red neck when you..."

No worries......the shotgun rack is my next project....

Badfish · #14 (**permalink**) 03-12-2008, 12:00 PM

Is it easily removable? If not, does it look like water can get between the wood and bed causing rot?

van isle · #15 (**permalink**) 03-12-2008, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azmatsci

I plan on a sheet of cheap 3/8" sheet steel and have it line-x'd to match my bed.

3/8 " steel would weigh to much . the tail gate would slam down because it weighs so much

even 3/16 " steel would be more then enough . the issue is to tie the top of the out side sheet metal to the inside of the tail gate . not to make the inside of the tail gate pick axe proof .