Jump to content

DIY Double wall tailgate for 620


BURNEDORANGE620

Recommended Posts

I wanted to make my tail gate not only for butt-friendly to sit on, but more practical like when loading my motorcycle into my truck.

 

I started by buying some 1/2" X 1" rectangular (not square) steel tubing. I used my 4" grinder and Dremel tool to shape my supports as seen in this picture.

 

A55D7597-CEE5-416B-98FB-AE3EE93F129B_zps

 

 

I added four supports somewhat evenly spaced. And, I bought some diamond plate aluminum, 1/8th or 3/16" inch thick and had the industrial metal supply shop cut it 1/4" smaller in length and width than my tail gate measurement.

 

F8B7F813-0970-44B4-A125-FEED2AE98762_zps

 

F6718CB7-36CC-4CB6-8F5B-7BA82A0CFBBF_zps

 

F6718CB7-36CC-4CB6-8F5B-7BA82A0CFBBF_zps

 

After welding in the supports, I planned where I was going to position the screws and then drilled through the aluminum plate and into the frame of the tailgate and into the supports I had just welded in. I then tapped each hole in the tailgate.

61E2F7D8-D74E-4E0B-8641-21CFC2447006_zps

 

 

I meticulously countersunk each hole in the aluminum plate and used stainless steel countersunk Allen head screws to fasten down the aluminum plate.

 

3111CD0F-7053-424E-AE53-53F2F57B851A_zps

 

 

4EE49543-A34B-4C64-962F-7F4C67CB7E6A_zps

 

 

It is solid, strong, good-looking and practical. Total cost, about $100, mostly the cost of the aluminum diamond plate.

  • Like 6
Link to comment
  • Replies 42
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

Top Posters In This Topic

Factory inner gate liner was a factory option from May '75. It was just to protect the outer skin from dents caused from loose cargo. It came with two extra supports as well as the one already on the tailgate. I doubt it would stand up to motorcycles being loaded like yours.

 

Can we move this to the 620 section? 

  • Like 2
Link to comment

You should be aware that in the future you will have intermetalic corrosion between the Aluminum plate and the steel structure.  Probably but not exclusively at the screws to Aluminum plate interface.  The USAF found out the hard way and prescribed a specific sequence of metalic washers for every Copper bus bar to Aluminum aircraft structure. Yes you have Aluminum to steel, not Copper to Aluminum!   No I don't have a copy of that Tech Order, but any High School Chemistry or Phisics text books has a table called "The Electromotive Sequence of Metals", the rule of thumb is "No more that 0.25 volts difference between adjoining metals."  The refurbishment of the Statue of Liberty ran into similar problems with the steel to Copper skin panels.

  • Like 4
Link to comment

Factory inner gate liner was a factory option from May '75

 

I would like to see proof of that statement. As they were only on the 1979 kiing cab.

 

 

 

Cool gate cover. I thought about making one as well. I have a factory one but I want to cut in beer holders. I can't bring myself to cut the factory piece, even if it is bent. 

  • Like 1
Link to comment

I would like to see proof of that statement. As they were only on the 1979 kiing cab.

 

 

 

 

 

 

93420-B5105 is what I have up until 06 '78 then the number changes to 93420-B9800 for the '79 model year. Have Nissan look that up.

  • Like 1
Link to comment

You should be aware that in the future you will have intermetalic corrosion between the Aluminum plate and the steel structure. Probably but not exclusively at the screws to Aluminum plate interface. The USAF found out the hard way and prescribed a specific sequence of metalic washers for every Copper bus bar to Aluminum aircraft structure. Yes you have Aluminum to steel, not Copper to Aluminum! No I don't have a copy of that Tech Order, but any High School Chemistry or Phisics text books has a table called "The Electromotive Sequence of Metals", the rule of thumb is "No more that 0.25 volts difference between adjoining metals." The refurbishment of the Statue of Liberty ran into similar problems with the steel to Copper skin panels.

  • Like 1
Link to comment

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use.