66 Belvedere Tail Gate Repair - HELP!

[mustbemad]

After my electric rear tailgate motor finally packed in, I had to strip the whole lot so decided to investigate the bad body repairs at the bottom. The attached is the horror I found! A LOT of Bondo, and no metal.....

Has anyone tried this repair, or got any pictures of a removed tailgate that I can use as reference? It is both the inner and outer skins. The previous repair was just square u-section pop riveted over it all and filled over.

Thanks!

 

[70chall440]

I am trying to figure out how to get the tailgate off of a 69 Plymouth Belvedere wagon, it has a lot of problems on the bottom as well.

 

[Jim 68cuda]

Looks like you need to find another tailgate. I'm not parting with this one. I'm hoping this one can be fixed and used to replace the tailgate on one of mine thats as bad as yours.

 

[mustbemad]

Wow! Those photos are excellent. Thanks

I doubt there is another decent Belvedere tailgate out there (!) and I'm in the UK, so a double-whammy. My wagon isn't ever going to be a concours winner, so I'll fabricate well enough for a decent repair. Your photos will be a real help

 

[mustbemad]

I am trying to figure out how to get the tailgate off of a 69 Plymouth Belvedere wagon, it has a lot of problems on the bottom as well.

If it's the same as mine, undo the torsion bar brackets (be careful, the passenger side will spring out) then the hinges at the pillars and one on the drivers side on the tail gate and the whole lot pulls out above the bumper.''

 

[Jim 68cuda]

Wow! Those photos are excellent. Thanks

I doubt there is another decent Belvedere tailgate out there (!) and I'm in the UK, so a double-whammy. My wagon isn't ever going to be a concours winner, so I'll fabricate well enough for a decent repair. Your photos will be a real help

Try Wildcat Auto Wrecking in Oregon, and Stephen's Performance. Those two might be possibilities. If you need any more photos or measurements, let me know.

 

[70chall440]

If it's the same as mine, undo the torsion bar brackets (be careful, the passenger side will spring out) then the hinges at the pillars and one on the drivers side on the tail gate and the whole lot pulls out above the bumper.''

The 69 appears to be a bit different but I think the concept is the same. I appreciate the information

 

[mustbemad]

Try Wildcat Auto Wrecking in Oregon, and Stephen's Performance. Those two might be possibilities. If you need any more photos or measurements, let me know.

Hi Jim,
When ever you get a chance, could you let me know the measurements in the photos below? And a couple more photos of the corners. You don't realise how
useful these photos have been!

Thanks again,

Gerry

o

 

[YY1]

66/67 is fold down only.

68-70 is fold down or swing left (driver's side).

 

[Jim 68cuda]

Hope this helps. The 8 3/4" measurement ends at a rounded lower edge rather than a straight edge, so it may not be exact. The drop off near the bottom is about 1/4" which you should keep in mind when you consider the measurement for the thickness at the bottom. Let me know if you need more.

 

[Jim 68cuda]

 

[mustbemad]

View attachment 1026228 View attachment 1026229 View attachment 1026230

Thanks Jim! You're an absolute Star

 

[Jim 68cuda]

Both of my wagons are 67s. The tailgate currently on my white wagon is so bad, the tailgate glass is the only thing keeping it from falling off the car. When you put the window up, the tailgate is pushed down a bit when the window hits the weatherstrip at the top.
As for the tan wagon, I sent the monster tailgate window motor to Topher McGinnis to rebuild because I was afraid of getting the car back together and then running the risk of having the window motor fail. He expects to be ready to ship it back to me this week, so reassembly might just start this winter.

 

[1967coronet]

If you can not locate a tail gate you may be able to cut some patch panels from a pickup tail gate if the depth / outer skin to inner is close.
As long as you have the hinge and latch hardware you can always open up the patch panels and double or plate inside if needed.
Good luck , that looks like a project.

 

[mustbemad]

Work in progress!

Thanks again,Jim 68Cuda, your measurements have been a life saver!

It is in really bad shape, but slowly getting there with limited tools!

 

[mustbemad]

As Lucky Costa of Hot Rod Garage fame says:
'Using CAD to help - Cardboard Aided Design'

 

[Jim 68cuda]

As Lucky Costa of Hot Rod Garage fame says:
'Using CAD to help - Cardboard Aided Design'View attachment 1028948

Wow! You have some amazing skills!

 

[mustbemad]

This has been a labour of love! These tailgates really know how to rust

First coat of primer filler to see how the bottom edge looks - lots of correction to do, but slowly getting there.

 

[1967coronet]

Looks great !

 

[Jim 68cuda]

This has been a labour of love! These tailgates really know how to rust

First coat of primer filler to see how the bottom edge looks - lots of correction to do, but slowly getting there.

View attachment 1055354

I'm blown away! That's impressive! Have you test fitted it yet?