Build Tailgate

Build tailgate PICKUPS Accessories 13-5-15 In Vol. 12, No. 4, Pete Johnson said the problem with tailgates on Ford pickups built from 1973 to 1979 is that "If you drop a bale or other heavy object on the tailgate, it will be bent for life. To build my own tailgate, first I cut a piece of heavy 2-in. pipe the length of the tailgate. The pipe acts as the hinge for the tailgate so weight is not a factor. I weld the hinge sockets out of the old tailgate into each end of the pipe. Then I cut two 1112-in. by 3/ 16 in. angle iron pieces for uprights and make a top piece from 1112-in. sq. tubing. Four 2 by1-in. channel iron pieces fit between the top and bottom pieces for strength. Next I cut a piece of 12 ga. tread plate to fit over the inside of the gate. I always weld the full length of the outer top edge of the tread plate because of the amount of abuse it takes. I mount the latches from the old tailgate on the new one and then use four clevises and 7/16-in. rod off the controls of an old IH "tumblebug" plow, along with a lever type handle, to open and close the tailgate latches. "I've built three of these tailgates and they've been backed into posts, bulls have walked on them, and all kinds of equipment has been dropped on them with no problems." Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Pete Johnson, Rt. 1, Ballantine, Mont. 59006 (ph 406 967-6204).

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