240Z8_Dad Posted March 8, 2009 Share Posted March 8, 2009 might have call a few junk yards and see if they have any old datsun trucks i can steal a tailgate off now. Check out this site: www.car-parts.com Parts galore!!! I used this site for a rear window in my '94 Suburban. Delivered at my door from Mn to NM for about $100. I looked for Datsun tailgate. many there, $75 - $150+. Awsome site!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AkumaNoZeta Posted March 8, 2009 Share Posted March 8, 2009 How about a photoshop to get a general idea of how it would look? I've seen a lot of good photoshops done on here. I'm interested in how this would look too, I think it would look a lot better if the letters on the tailgate were recessed and not popping out like that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin.pk Posted March 8, 2009 Share Posted March 8, 2009 I think it would look a lot better if the letters on the tailgate were recessed and not popping out like that If you cut out all of the letters individually and flipped a couple of them horizontally and vertically I think you could make it all recessed..... It would be a hell of a lot of work getting them lined up and contoured correctly though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
240z8 Posted March 8, 2009 Share Posted March 8, 2009 Since the time shifted forward an hour last night, I didn't notice that it was early in the morning,so i didn't go to sleep last night... I did a little Photoshopping of how it might look, I made a guesstimate on how wide the two bodies were in comparison and i came out to this: This is with the letters closer to the body color: This is a pic of the letters the same color as the truck: This is the truck I cloned the letters from: Its not the best job, but it gives you an idea. From what i can see, there is no way to fit it in between the tail lights without cutting it up. Justin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCLOBERNOCKER47 Posted March 8, 2009 Share Posted March 8, 2009 Interesting... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZZZeee Posted March 8, 2009 Share Posted March 8, 2009 I say you should do a SBC swap and put a big Bowtie symbol back there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lammbn Posted March 8, 2009 Share Posted March 8, 2009 I still like it. I am going to see if I can source a tailgate localy to play with. It looks better than I thought and ended up about the size I thought it would be in my head, don't really see a need to make it fit between the tailights as long as it is centered on everything. BUT... I'm sure someone will have a nasty remark because i don't have the same style or tastes as them. Oh well, don't drive my car if you don't like it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beau M Posted April 18, 2009 Author Share Posted April 18, 2009 Just a little update. I came home with this today. I have been swaying back and fourth to go smooth or not. This was cheaper than the raw metal for a smooth rear would be, so here we go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lammbn Posted April 19, 2009 Share Posted April 19, 2009 good luck! keep us updated, i am very interested in seeing how this will turn out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horatio Posted April 19, 2009 Share Posted April 19, 2009 You definitely have my attention! Cool idea. Keep up with the updates! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cockerstar Posted April 19, 2009 Share Posted April 19, 2009 Definitely watching here! I'm planning on doing this on the rear of my parts car to see how it looks and then transfering the whole panel over to my '71 When I shave the rear on it Pics of the process would be greatly appreciated! After patching a sunroof I think this shouldn't be too bad, but getting the contour of the rear might be fun... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beau M Posted April 22, 2009 Author Share Posted April 22, 2009 Well, here we go. I suck at welding and body work, but here it is mocked into place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cockerstar Posted April 23, 2009 Share Posted April 23, 2009 Looking good! You went about it a little bit differently than I would have, but it seems like things should all work out fine though I would have cut out a rectangular section from the original panel and cut one from the tailgate that was slightly bigger. Then you can place the lettering behind the original to tweak it to get the right curvature and then tack it into place, and you get to keep the original bottom body line. My vote is that you do a custom center exhaust or diffuser now How much did you pay for your tailgate? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beau M Posted April 23, 2009 Author Share Posted April 23, 2009 Like I said, I'm flying by the seat of my pants here. The curvature differences are not that extreme at all, it will flow pretty good once I start tacking it in. I cut the bottom so short ( 1.5" shorter than stock) because the tailgate had some rust issues down there that I would have to fix anyway. I am also having to make lower rear quarters, so I think I will just make a custom rear end basically. The tailgate was 38 bucks at the yard. As far as diffuser, I have been looking at the ones on Porsche 944 turbos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dexter72 Posted April 23, 2009 Share Posted April 23, 2009 I like it so keep us updated with pics. I only closed the bumper holes on my 74. I don't like the looks of a totally smooth rear valance. I think they look better with something to look at. I like some ( Stubble ) back there. lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cockerstar Posted April 27, 2009 Share Posted April 27, 2009 Any updates Beau? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The love of JDM Posted April 27, 2009 Share Posted April 27, 2009 +1 for custom work Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beau M Posted April 28, 2009 Author Share Posted April 28, 2009 Things have been moving along, just not with the rear. I pulled my engine and sold it over the weekend. Now I can start on the back again, I bought some material the other day. I'll keep ya posted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lasik12 Posted April 28, 2009 Share Posted April 28, 2009 That is a great looking idea, im really interested to see how it turns out! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cockerstar Posted May 12, 2009 Share Posted May 12, 2009 Anything Beau? This is definitely on my list of things to do when I get back into body work in a month. Its one of the very few things that's actually cheap to do Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.