"Made It Myself" Tailgate

"Made It Myself" Tailgate PICKUPS Miscellaneous 34-4-30 When Dale Herigon needed a new tailgate, some old galvanized water pipe came in handy. With a little welding and trimming, he had his tailgate. Add a little fresh paint, and it matched his truck perfectly. "I used the existing hinges from the old tailgate and modified them so when the gate is opened part way, it can be lifted in and out like later models," says Herigon. Building the gate itself was easy, says Herigon. It just took a little welding. Most of the pipe was 5/8-in., with the bottom 1 1/4-in. for more strength. To latch the new gate, Herigon welded short lengths of pipe to the backside of the tailgate ends. With a little heating, pieces of 3/8-in. rod were easily bent in J-shapes. The long legs sit in the pipe sections, and the J-end slips into the stake pocket hole. "It was a quick fix," says Herigon. "I started it one afternoon and was finished the next." Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Dale Herigon, 15801 Rt. B, Meta, Mo. 65058 (ph 573 477-3449).

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