Got a new tailgate for the J10. but should i combine both to make one

[candymancan]

So i met a guy locally here in Va who had 3 tailgates. I offered up trade for it and other parts.. tbh i think i over traded on some lol. But i traded a final edition grill insert and muscle grill frame.. which i dont need for this tailgate.

My tailgate is DONE in the bottom.. the entire hinge and circular bar lower portion is ruated off fully from end to middle to end. But the tailgate overall is in excellent shape.. not dented.. flat.. fairly rust free minus the entire bottom being gone lol

The new tailgate i got for one isnt blue so it doesnt match my truck. But its majorly dented.. the top has a giant u shaped dent like a giant log was dropped on it. The inside is pushed all in.. the center JEEP logo plate is pushed out badly. But it works.. it latchs good.. lines up good and works great.. minor rust here and there that needs fixed.. but i have a tailgate now. and to be honest it costed me 0$

I was debating though.. on fixing my blue one down the road by wrapping metal pipe conduit with lile 20ga steel to make that circle on the bottom again and have a functional tailgate. But it still wouldnt look factory like that.

Or my other option.. what do you think about me cutting the lower 3 inchs or so off the black one i jist got. And welding it to my original tailgate ? This way i have a new bottom.. and and a not so heavily dented tailgate. That matchs my Jeeps color too.

Or am i openeing a can of worms you think ? And just leave good enough alone ?

[tgreese]

The Leinbach part looks pretty good except for the rust along the bottom. I'd put it away for trading stock. The dented one is ok if it opens and closes. Lends character, and it does not match any less than the rest of the bed!

[rocklaurence]

Id repair the new one that has the dent. First, you can lay the tailgate on the flat floor and using a block of wood and a hammer pound the center flat again [Ive done it many times]. Second, using smaller tools you can repair the Jeep logo with a little time and hammering. Third, cut the welds on the upper dented panel. Unfold that panel and pound-out the dent. Lastly, fold the panel back into position and tac weld it back together. Also, if you like, you can add a fitted piece of angle iron to create a heavier and stronger top edge on the tailgate. Putting a nice sharp edge on the top of the tailgate and covering up any remaining imperfections.

[candymancan]

The Leinbach part looks pretty good except for the rust along the bottom. I'd put it away for trading stock. The dented one is ok if it opens and closes. Lends character, and it does not match any less than the rest of the bed!

Thats what i was thinking jaha

[candymancan]

Id repair the new one that has the dent. First, you can lay the tailgate on the flat floor and using a block of wood and a hammer pound the center flat again [Ive done it many times]. Second, using smaller tools you can repair the Jeep logo with a little time and hammering. Third, cut the welds on the upper dented panel. Unfold that panel and pound-out the dent. Lastly, fold the panel back into position and tac weld it back together. Also, if you like, you can add a fitted piece of angle iron to create a heavier and stronger top edge on the tailgate. Putting a nice sharp edge on the top of the tailgate and covering up any remaining imperfections.

I ttied the laying on a block thing and jist jumping up and down on the center Jeep logo.. but it wants to pop back outward as soon as i step off it.

Hmm i didnt think about peeling the top off and hammering it back out. Ill have to look closer to see if i can find the welds. Are they spot welds like a floor board or just welded on the outer side.

Thanks for the idea

[candymancan]

Spot welds.. I poped them off off.. but no way could i fold that metal back.. So i cut the panel off.. And noticed there is a 1/8th c channle brace on top inside.. Wow someone musta really dropped a TREE on this tailgate.

I cut that out.. bend it to shape.. and poped the dented panel out as best i could.

Welded it back on.. and here is thr before and after

[tgreese]

Big improvement!

[devildog80]

Again....nice work

[rocklaurence]

Big improvement!

I agree. Looks much better!

[candymancan]

Thanks