Tailgate Question

cghstrojan08 · Post by **cghstrojan08** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 8:42 pm

Will a bumpside tailgate fit a dentside? I have a bump tailgate and my grandpa needs one for his 76 F350. He backed into a tree and his doesn't work anymore.

fordman · Post by **fordman** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 10:27 pm

cghstrojan08 · Post by **cghstrojan08** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 10:31 pm

Thanks

cghstrojan08 · Post by **cghstrojan08** » Sat Dec 22, 2007 11:10 pm

I have another question. What is the best way to fill the seams up on the tailgate like on the inside of the front? I know this sounds crappy but maybe some kind of caulking or should I weld the seams? Just throwing it out there.

fordman · Post by **fordman** » Sun Dec 23, 2007 12:40 am

you could weld it. that might be the toughest way to handle it. the other would be to maybe use the original type of bedside seam sealer from 3m i think.

cghstrojan08 · Post by **cghstrojan08** » Sun Dec 23, 2007 12:42 am

I might try welding it, it would give me good practice. I don't get to weld very often.

Post by **FORDification** » Sun Dec 23, 2007 9:15 am

You might want to try practicing on a junk tailgate first, since you say you don't weld too often, just to get the practice and the settings on the welding setup correct. I'd hate to see you posting an ad in the Parts Wanted section for a new tailgate 'cause you burned a bunch of holes in your good piece or got the panel(s) too hot and they warped all to hell.

This sheetmetal is difficult to weld on without burning through, depending on your level of experience and type of welder. A TIG is always better at welding this stuff than a MIG, but since it's out of the price range of most hobbyists, I'm assuming you've got a MIG....and I know from experience that it takes a lot of practice to do it right. You either get poor penetration or you burn through the steel.

cghstrojan08 · Post by **cghstrojan08** » Sun Dec 23, 2007 12:21 pm

Ok, I am going to use an arc welder. My grandfather gave it to me, good price. I have done welding before. Grandpa was a welder for a good 40 years. I believe he is certified to weld on about anything. I have I guess you would say gone through his schooling on welding on different stuff. I have played with our welder enough to know where a good setting is for it.

fordman · Post by **fordman** » Sun Dec 23, 2007 8:41 pm

an arc welder is probably too hared on a tailgate. you really need a mig to weld on the tailgate.

Post by **FORDification** » Sun Dec 23, 2007 11:46 pm

I agree....a MIG welder on sheetmetal is hard, but an arc welder is going to almost be an effort in futility IMO. Please practice first, so that when (not if) you decide that it wasn't a good decision, you haven't ruined a good tailgate.

cghstrojan08 · Post by **cghstrojan08** » Mon Dec 24, 2007 12:41 am

Don't worry, I have it under control. I have tested the different settings on different thicknesses of metals. I got a chart for different sizes for different power levels. I am thinking like an A-50 (It has A,B,C with 1-100 for each letter).

cghstrojan08 · Post by **cghstrojan08** » Mon Dec 24, 2007 12:42 am

The tailgate isn't the best of shape anyways. Did some wire brushing and has a fair amount of rust holes on the bottom but overall ok shape.

cghstrojan08 · Post by **cghstrojan08** » Fri Dec 28, 2007 5:15 pm

Update: Got the two seams welded. Worked well but had to but the power on the lowest setting.

New Question: What color should I paint the tailgate handle? Should it be like a silver or paint it red like the tailgate? Thanks

seattle67 · Post by **seattle67** » Fri Dec 28, 2007 5:19 pm

I would go red

cghstrojan08 · Post by **cghstrojan08** » Fri Dec 28, 2007 5:33 pm

Ok, thanks. That is what I planned on doing.

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