Dent on top of tailgate.

[rchavez101]

I have a really good tailgate besides a dent on the top of the tailgate where something had been dropped and dented the top. Can anyone tell me if the metal at this point is thicker or doubled up. I am wanting to fix the dent but wonder if it can be fixed with a slide hammer. I was thanking of cutting that section out and welding in another section. I would have to locate a tailgate to take a section out. Then dent is about 3" wide and goes in about 3/4". Any thoughts? Any one have a crappy tailgate that can donate a piece of tailgate? Doesn't hurt to ask.

[ChevLoRay]

The good thing is that the tailgates from '88-98 are the same....fleetside for fleetside and stepside for stepside. You might check a salvage yard for one that has some damage but still has a good top profile. A damaged one shouldn't be priced too high.....like make 'em an offer if there's no way it can be used as a tailgate.

[rchavez101]

Originally Posted by ChevLoRay

The good thing is that the tailgates from '88-98 are the same....fleetside for fleetside and stepside for stepside. You might check a salvage yard for one that has some damage but still has a good top profile. A damaged one shouldn't be priced too high.....like make 'em an offer if there's no way it can be used as a tailgate.

Oh yeah good to know. I didn't think about the stepside. I will see what I can find. Worst case I can make my own piece.

[andrewmp6]

Or if you plan on relocating the handle you could get a smooth tailgate skin and weld it on.

[rchavez101]

Originally Posted by andrewmp6

Or if you plan on relocating the handle you could get a smooth tailgate skin and weld it on.

I am relocating the handle but money wise it's cheaper to fix the dent.

[BigBlocksRule]

As easy as they dent, I'm sure they're not beefier than any other body metal.
Give 'er hell with the slide hammer and let us know how it works out.