Tailgate work

From VC-1 to WC64-KD.
Post Reply
Adam in Wa
Sergeant
Sergeant
Posts: 169
Joined: Tue Mar 13, 2018 10:04 pm
My garage: 48 Power Wagon
42 WC53
71 Dodge Challenger R/T
Location: Newport Washington

Tailgate work

Post by Adam in Wa »

I have started to work on my tailgate. I have decided to remove the inner panel because: it is very beat up; It is easier to replace than the outer panel; And I can put some liquid wrench on the hinge bolt threads, inside. Once the inner panel is off I will address any rust inside the tailgate, then deal with any issues on the outer panel, from both sides. Here are a couple of pics and I will post more as I progress..

Image
Image
Adam in Wa
Sergeant
Sergeant
Posts: 169
Joined: Tue Mar 13, 2018 10:04 pm
My garage: 48 Power Wagon
42 WC53
71 Dodge Challenger R/T
Location: Newport Washington

Re: Tailgate work

Post by Adam in Wa »

Image
Image
Image
Image
Adam in Wa
Sergeant
Sergeant
Posts: 169
Joined: Tue Mar 13, 2018 10:04 pm
My garage: 48 Power Wagon
42 WC53
71 Dodge Challenger R/T
Location: Newport Washington

Re: Tailgate work

Post by Adam in Wa »

I assume the holes in the tailgate are from a pioneer tool rack, and license plate. The inside of the tailgate was not terrible… It is still quite solid. I will replace the bottom few inches of the outer skin, and the entire inner panel with new metal, of the correct gauge.
Adam in Wa
Sergeant
Sergeant
Posts: 169
Joined: Tue Mar 13, 2018 10:04 pm
My garage: 48 Power Wagon
42 WC53
71 Dodge Challenger R/T
Location: Newport Washington

Re: Tailgate work cont.

Post by Adam in Wa »

Image
Image
Image

There was much more damage to the outer panel than I wanted to deal with, and approximately the same amount of work to replace a large section as a small one. I sandblasted the frame and chemically treated the surface to neutralize any rust. The light gray areas are all bare metal.
User avatar
Gordon_M
Lieutenant General
Lieutenant General
Posts: 2798
Joined: Wed Mar 08, 2006 1:43 pm
Location: Falkirk, Central Scotland
Contact:

Re: Tailgate work

Post by Gordon_M »

It is relatively easy to re-skin, but the compound curve on the top edge is tricky. You have to experiment to get the top edge right, after which the rest of it goes on no problem.
Gordon, in Scotland

( Now officially given up on any form of politics )
Adam in Wa
Sergeant
Sergeant
Posts: 169
Joined: Tue Mar 13, 2018 10:04 pm
My garage: 48 Power Wagon
42 WC53
71 Dodge Challenger R/T
Location: Newport Washington

Re: Tailgate work

Post by Adam in Wa »

Image
Image
Image

I ended up removing the upper outer skin to deal with a stubborn dent, and this let me clean/treat the interior. The upper piece will be reused and new metal welded below.
Adam in Wa
Sergeant
Sergeant
Posts: 169
Joined: Tue Mar 13, 2018 10:04 pm
My garage: 48 Power Wagon
42 WC53
71 Dodge Challenger R/T
Location: Newport Washington

Re: Tailgate work

Post by Adam in Wa »

I reinstalled the upper outer panel by plug welding the top edge, where I had drilled out the spot welds. I then attached a new 18 ga. panel as the lower outer panel. I used 3M body panel adhesive around the edge, and tack welded the two edges together. I will complete the welding from the inside to reduce the amount of grinding on the exterior weld. Panel adhesive is incredibly strong, seals the entire seam, and protects against corrosion. You can see the black adhesive between the frame and panel; total surface contact.
Image
Image
WC4DOOR
Sergeant
Sergeant
Posts: 152
Joined: Tue Jul 20, 2010 3:12 am
My garage: 1942 WC-53
1943 WC-53-4DOOR
1942 WC-53
And one more WC-53
Location: Salt Lake City

Re: Tailgate work

Post by WC4DOOR »

Very nice work. Nice to see you saving as much as you can.
1942 WC 53
1943 WC 53 4 Door
an other 1942 WC 53
and one more WC 53
Adam in Wa
Sergeant
Sergeant
Posts: 169
Joined: Tue Mar 13, 2018 10:04 pm
My garage: 48 Power Wagon
42 WC53
71 Dodge Challenger R/T
Location: Newport Washington

Re: Tailgate work

Post by Adam in Wa »

Thanks. Btw, do you have pics of your four carryalls… I would love to see them.
WC4DOOR
Sergeant
Sergeant
Posts: 152
Joined: Tue Jul 20, 2010 3:12 am
My garage: 1942 WC-53
1943 WC-53-4DOOR
1942 WC-53
And one more WC-53
Location: Salt Lake City

Re: Tailgate work

Post by WC4DOOR »

I have a bunch of pictures, can’t remember how to post them.
1942 WC 53
1943 WC 53 4 Door
an other 1942 WC 53
and one more WC 53
WC4DOOR
Sergeant
Sergeant
Posts: 152
Joined: Tue Jul 20, 2010 3:12 am
My garage: 1942 WC-53
1943 WC-53-4DOOR
1942 WC-53
And one more WC-53
Location: Salt Lake City

Re: Tailgate work

Post by WC4DOOR »

Test
Image
1942 WC 53
1943 WC 53 4 Door
an other 1942 WC 53
and one more WC 53
Post Reply