M1009 Tailgate - Body Work Question

[cmroles]

I don't know too much about bodywork, so I hope this isn't a stupid question...

From the pictures attached, is this tailgate repairable, or should I just be looking for replacement? I haven't had a chance to take it to a shop, and figured I get some "educated opinions" before potentially wasting time.

My best guess is that somebody caused this damage by backing into something with the tailgate lowered...

Other than this, the tailgate is in great shape so I hate to replace if its economical not to.

 

[justinwregier]

Depending on how much rust is spread under the paint will determine your repair costs. I dont weld but I know you cant fix rust. It has to be removed and replaced. If you or a pal can do that kind of work it looks possible. An auto shop may charge you more than a replacement but either direction would lead to a clean tailgate. New or used part replacements are solid fixes for those of us without welding options.

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[southdave]

yeah you are missing those plastic thing at ends of the gate

 

[cmroles]

yeah you are missing those plastic thing at ends of the gate

Sorry....plastic things? I'm not sure which part you are talking about. I've been around trucks plenty, but this is my first Blazer.

Is this something I can find a replacement for?

 

[topgun217]

I believe he's talking about the bottom rubber seal that goes under the fiberglass top. You can get them through LMC Truck. The plastic end is attatched to it. I'm not for certain w/o looking, but I'm pretty sure you can buy a tailgate skin. If its not rusted too bad, you can cut the bad section out with a plasma cutter and replace it with new metal but your gonn have a heck of a time getting the bend just right.

Try a junk yard first, then maybe a replacement tailgate. THe tail gates are notorious for rusting, but usually along the bottom.

Good luck !

 

[epitts]

My tail gate has the same problem, maybe we had the same driver. There is a post here http://www.steelsoldiers.com/cucv/63962-made-home-my-new-1009-a.html

He had the same driver also. But he shows how he fixed his.

 

[SPCHowe]

Not sure what it is by I just got an M1009 from Nellis with the same gouge in my tailgate, must be why when I opened it up to clean out the bottom there was about five fistfuls of wet sand.

 

[ranchhopper]

That is common for the tailgate to crack there I just weld them back together the twisting and vibration does that almost every 1009 I bought has that to a certain degree depends on where the truck was more on road driving less cracking.

 

[lavarok]

It would seem to be a common point of failure on the m1009 tailgates. I have small cracks forming on both of mine. Luckily, I have one perfect tailgate waiting to be swapped with one of them.

 

[ryan77]

I had the same thing on the last 3 m1009, hammer it back weld it, grind and bondo it!!!

 

[salt6]

Anyone tried the shell LMC sells?

LMC Truck Parts - Page 2