Metal Tailgate Liner?

[AEmedic]

Has anyone found a heavy duty metal tailgate liner to replace the plastic skin on the inner part of tailgate?  The cheap plastic isn’t what I want there.

[Dunn]

maybe one from a 20/21 2500 HD?......ive had both trucks and tailgate seems to be the same but idk for sure

[Transient]

A quick look at Lowe's and Amazon reveals diamond plating available for purchase. A little creativity and workmanship could solve your dilemma.

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[redwngr]

On 4/23/2021 at 12:46 AM, Dunn said:

maybe one from a 20/21 2500 HD?......ive had both trucks and tailgate seems to be the same but idk for sure

Inside height on a 20/21 HD box is 21"

Inside height on a 19/20/21 LD is 22.4"

 

I guessing that means the tailgates are different. 

 

Google gets a bunch of hits for 'tailgate shield' and 'tailgate protector'

[Dunn]

that answers that

[AEmedic]

Thank you for the replies.  My hope was for a HD steel or aluminum replacement that is similar to a standard tailgate liner that could be Line-X'd.  Diamond plate is often brittle and fairly thin in my experience.  The plastic liner already looks like crap...

[flat350]

Did a little cover in 304SS, don't remember what gauge. Gave it a little bend at the front and back edge and it bolted right on top of the plastic with some longer trim screws.

[Steve-2019]

Very nice! 

[newdude]

I wouldn't go too heavy with it as it may affect the operation of the power up/down tailgate.

 

I'd leave the plastic on there perhaps and go over top like flat350 did with his.  The 1500 gates under that plastic are all open holes mostly for access and mounting points for the raise/lower motor, power latches, etc.  

 

The 2500/3500 gates are quite different.  Steel construction vs aluminum for starters, but the gate is like the K2 truck gates with an access panel at the top end and the rest is all sheet metal.  Power up gates get a second access panel.  The HD gates can be spray lined factory and aftermarket.  

Edited April 26, 2021 by newdude

[AEmedic]

21 minutes ago, flat350 said:

Did a little cover in 304SS, don't remember what gauge. Gave it a little bend at the front and back edge and it bolted right on top of the plastic with some longer trim screws.

Looks Good!