It seems that the Dually tailgate on an 06 is different that the SRW tailgate?? That seems strange but the stealer wanted the VIN number to look it up and the aftermarket ones I looked at all say "except composite box" or "plastic bed" or something like that so I may be looking at factory only or take off?

I got some help hooking up a fifth wheel trailer from my brother-in-law that I DIDN'T ask for and now I need a tailgate!

Any ideas on a good place to buy one??

Thanks!

Ken

All steel box tailgates are the same. Check the local salvage yards - you may find a good one in the same color as your truck.

Or maybe you could fit one of those new Ford tailgates on there with the built in steps (wish GM had thought of that!). ;)

Ken: you can replace yours with any fleetside gate model years 99-07. The composite or plastic bed is the shortbed stepside. Frank.

All the same. 1500, 2500, 2500hd, 3500. (except stepsides). Look at the places that install service beds. They usually have a handfull of beds and gates for the pickin'. Also, it may not hurt to do a want it ad in the Mkt Place here. Maybe someone with a 5th wheel has one laying around.

The "composite" beds were offered in the early 00's (Chevy's), but the gates are the same. I highly doubt you'll stumble on one anyways. They can be identified by the Chevrolet symbol on the back. It's molded in and sticks out like the Avalanches.

The "composite" beds were offered in the early 00's (Chevy's), but the gates are the same. I highly doubt you'll stumble on one anyways. They can be identified by the Chevrolet symbol on the back. It's molded in and sticks out like the Avalanches.

gates are same size but are composite also on them and they were only on half tons i think they stopped in 02

OK so even though the dually has plastic sides, it is not a composite bed! I did sneak a peak under the $66.29 plastic tailgate cap and I do have the same holes in the gate that most have.

Wonder why the dealer was asking for a vin number just for a tailgate??

What about the aftermarket ones floating around on ebay? Worth thinking about?

The first quote I got from a dealer was $333.22 but I have a few friends in the business so that price could drop pretty good I would think. Add paint to that and getting the inside re- Line-X ed and I'm sure it's gonna add up!!

I may just try to repair what I have now as there are no visable marks on the outside at all. It has a little bow to it and once I pull the plastic cap off, I may be able to figure a way to straighten it back out while keeping all of the work under the plastic trim.

Worth a little time to try it!

I've never wished my tailgate would get stolen before!

Ken

If it's a small dent, try your local 'pop-a-dent' person (may be listed under different name). As long as there are no creases and the dent didn't effect any of the stock impressions, they should be able to help you.

I would buy a used tailgate before I bought an aftermarket one. There is no substitution for the real deal. Plus, as I said earlier you might luck out and get the right color and not have to repaint it.

Is your brother-in-law paying for this? :p:

If it's a small dent, try your local 'pop-a-dent' person (may be listed under different name). As long as there are no creases and the dent didn't effect any of the stock impressions, they should be able to help you.

I would buy a used tailgate before I bought an aftermarket one. There is no substitution for the real deal. Plus, as I said earlier you might luck out and get the right color and not have to repaint it.

Is your brother-in-law paying for this? :p:

you would still have to paint it even if its the same color the shop would still have to blend it just not prime a respray the whole gate

Got an estimate today because I was driving past the dealer. Just shy of $1000 to replace and paint the gate. I would have thought with the parts and paint prices that repairing it would have been an option but I guess not??

I think I'm going to rip the plastic cover off and try to fix the thing. I have a lot of room to make ugly that the new plastic strip will cover so even it I have to weld studs on it to pull it. the plastic will cover up my sins. If I completely destroy it, I can just buy a fifthwheel gate for 1/3 of the price of a new gate!

These trucks are nice because they don't rust like the old ones, but there isn't much metal in the parts these days!

BTW, the truck is white. Would I have a better chance of a match on white than most colors if I find a white take off??

Ken

Yep, with GM, white is white-and has been for a while. 50U is the paint code.

COOL!!! Thanks!!

I know my last truck was that silver birch and they claim that is a really hard color match.

So white is white.....

I still think I'm going to fix this sucker and if it doesn't work out, I'll just buy a V gate.

Ken