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Tailgate bench

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Mr.N

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While surfing this web page I saw a post by toddacimer where he made a bench using an old tail gate.

I made a quick material list, found a tail gate and kick one out. Thanks for the idea Todd.
I did make hinges for it so it does open and close.
Great little fun project, I made this one from my Brother. Even found a state license plate with his birth year stamped into it!
Took me 8 hours, including getting the parts and cost about $100.
Tailgate was $40 on craigslist, took me almost a year to find the right colors as Todd's. Next one I'm just using what I find.

tailgate_bench_build.JPG


tailgate_bench.jpg



Edit:
Built a 2nd one
Tailgate_bench_build_2nd_40.jpg
 
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toddacimer

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I picked up 2 tailgates yesterday, I'm up to 8 tailgates and 4 assembled benches now but they are fun to build and fun to work on. My tailgate restoration will pay off as practice for refinishing my Snap-on box.
 
Z

Zeke

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Long Beach CA, the sewer by the sea.
I could see the tailgate turned around to the back and upholstered on the front but there is no way I'd be comfortable leaning on a hard, cold piece of steel. You guys must be a lot younger than I.

Cute but not practical.
 
T

toddacimer

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Zeke said:
I could see the tailgate turned around to the back and upholstered on the front but there is no way I'd be comfortable leaning on a hard, cold piece of steel. You guys must be a lot younger than I.

Cute but not practical.
Click to expand...

A lot people say that before they try it. The key is to get the tailgate leaned back a bit to create a nice surface to lean on. The slope of the seat and arm rest helps too. I've also played with the seat height and depth for a bit more comfort. Some are definitely better than others but after 14 benches I know I've learned a little bit
 
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WQ59B

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NJ
Looks nice! Ever give a thought to working a bumper down below seat somehow? Recess the front crossbrace and use a flatter, plainer piece from a mid-'60s truck? No; I'm not going to suggest taillights next...
 
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Leakie

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Rochester NY
Zeke said:
I could see the tailgate turned around to the back and upholstered on the front but there is no way I'd be comfortable leaning on a hard, cold piece of steel. You guys must be a lot younger than I.

Cute but not practical.
Click to expand...

X2 on this thought. There is no way that can be anything more than ornamental. However I think Zeke has the right idea with turning the tailgate around and adding upholstery, then it would be ornamental from the rear and actually a functional bench.
 
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M

Mr.N

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OP
M

Mr.N

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Messages
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Location
Mpls, MN
Zeke said:
I could see the tailgate turned around to the back and upholstered on the front but there is no way I'd be comfortable leaning on a hard, cold piece of steel. You guys must be a lot younger than I.

Cute but not practical.
Click to expand...

Leakie said:
X2 on this thought. There is no way that can be anything more than ornamental.
Click to expand...
It's all in how you make the bench.

You guy's are correct, it would be very easy to make this uncomfortable.
However, if you play with the angles it's not to hard to make it comfortable.
I have the tailgate tilted out 6" at the bottom and it hits me in just the right spot of the back to be relaxing. However, if you were 5'4" I could see this not being a bench you would sit on for a long time.

Then again... some people don't like a hard back no matter what, they can bring a pillow.

The next one I'm making will have a lower tail gate, or you could go with a non 70's Ford tailgate.
 
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Mr.N

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k1rodeoboater said:
Ok...so how'd you build these?
Click to expand...
The first picture should give you a good idea. Just a basic wood bench with the back missing.
I've a welder and made hinges for the tailgate. I've also seen people just weld plate onto the tail gate and bolt that to the post.
I'm not really sure how you'd secure the tail gate if you couldn't weld. Maybe place a 4by on the back of the tailgate to rest against and create a slot at the bottom for it to rest in? You'd still need to prevent if from falling forward, even just from the wind.
 
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toddacimer

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Mr.N said:
The first picture should give you a good idea. Just a basic wood bench with the back missing.
I've a welder and made hinges for the tailgate. I've also seen people just weld plate onto the tail gate and bolt that to the post.
I'm not really sure how you'd secure the tail gate if you couldn't weld. Maybe place a 4by on the back of the tailgate to rest against and create a slot at the bottom for it to rest in? You'd still need to prevent if from falling forward, even just from the wind.
Click to expand...

I use the hardware for the tailgate latch :rocker:

Feel free to check out my work. I also can ship
https://www.etsy.com/shop/TailgateGuy
 
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Mr.N

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2nd Tailgate bench

Something things just fall into place...


Searching Craigslist and found a cheap 53 Ford tailgate.
Then found 3 pieces of 16' decking board at Home Depot at 70% of because of a few defects.
Co-worker had a 54 plate, I had glue and paint
8 hours over a few days and ....

Tailgate_bench_build_2nd_40.jpg



.
 
T

toddacimer

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I've made a few more recently. This is one of my favorites
 

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Charles (in GA)

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50 mi south of Atlanta
CL+ tailgates = most likely stolen.

Tailgates are an easy mark. I keep my camper shell locked so they cannot get the gate off so quick. Old ones mostly for scrap metal, but for resale also, and new ones for resale as the new ones are crazy high priced as replacements.

Charles
 
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M

Mr.N

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Charles (in GA) said:
CL+ tailgates = most likely stolen.

Charles
Click to expand...
I can see how that could be true. I don't think I've run into any yet, plus most yards around here sell them $50-100 unless from a newer truck.
I've only bought for people who sell from their house.
 
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toddacimer

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Here's one of my newest benches. It started as a bumpside (67-72) F100 box.

il_570xN.783993150_9pb0.jpg


The lights are solar rechargeable and automatically come on at dusk.
il_570xN.784636546_rfbb.jpg
 
B

BMB

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GA USA
Yep,
I've got a J Truck tailgate waiting to be turned into a bench.

I'm going to do it similar to this (not mine by the way).
 

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T

toddacimer

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BMB said:
Yep,
I've got a J Truck tailgate waiting to be turned into a bench.

I'm going to do it similar to this (not mine by the way).
Click to expand...


This is probably my favorite J-series bench that I have built.
 

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B

BMB

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How are you going to bend the leaf springs?
Click to expand...

I think I'm just going to use some 3" wide flat bar instead and bend it in my 20ton press.

This is probably my favorite J-series bench that I have built.
Click to expand...

That gate looks to be about the same vintage as mine.
 

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T

toddacimer

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BMB said:
I think I'm just going to use some 3" wide flat bar instead and bend it in my 20ton press.

That gate looks to be about the same vintage as mine.
Click to expand...

Yes, you have an older one with the center pivot and no mechanical latch. I like those but the later model ones are cool as well.
 
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