Ok very burned out on all the block sanding so I had to do some creative stuff again. I've wanted to do something to the tail gate but didn't really know what. As I was look it over I noticed a ton of dents in my original one that were made when the tailgate was down and then stuff hitting it as it was loaded and because these are single wall sheet metal where the stamped "FORD" is at, the dents the show on the outside. I hate worrying about the new paint on the other side in an area that gets used as much as a tails do. So thats when I knew what I was going to do.

I grabbed my good tail gate and cut out the stamped "FORD".








I picked up a 4' x 8' sheet of 16ga metal




Prepped the tailgate and then cut out a patch panel and tacked it in.










After that I made a dish area around the handle.










Then I cut out another panel to fit over the larger area.






This was what I thought of when I thought of a double wall tailgate. I know other guys have put a panel over like this but I've never seen one with the stamped "FORD" added back in.






Marked the panel and then cut out the spot for the "FORD" and then tacked it in to it's new spot.

 

The small touches make it all fall together. You're an artist, man. I can wrench and wire, but I think you've got me in the metal fab area. Looking good!

 

thanks, to bad you don't live closer, I need someone to help wrench & wire...lol

 

So the tailgate mods are going well. I really like the way it is turning out. I finished welding up the patch panel were the stamped "FORD" was. It is welded on the inside and the outside, so the should help with sealing it from water and stuff. I also put down a good 3 coats of weldable primer on the underside of the new panel and in the empty space in the tailgate now.






The panel is now tacked on and all is well so far.... no waves or anything in the panel yet from the heat.






Just trying to take my time and not rush it. I wanted a smooth tailgate but didn't want to give up the the old school look of it and I think that this does both.

 

tailgate looks awesome man, wish i was that creative and had the fab skills to do it also.

 

that tailgate turned out great man! Nice work

 

no joke, you do amazing work...that's an awesome project, i've always liked those old fords, never did learn to like the 97 F150 body change though so you're doing the right thing

 

Honestly this is one of the neatest builds I have seen in a long time, and is something different ( and non GM for once, lol). Your fab skills are amazing and the truck is awesome! That tailgate looks perfect too.... like what Ford should have designed in the first place. I look forward to this builds progession!!!!!!

 

amazing build man.. wow.. tailgate looks great also

 

wow, thanks for the feedback guys, I really do appreciate it.