Welding up tailgate

DUDE I welded my gate shut I hop/drag/3-wheel the crap out of it and no cracks.
all I did was removed ALL internal parts like the hinges, rods handle every thing. Then I went and picked up steel rod's that where as close to the gap size as I could get (they needed to be grinded down just a lil not even an .8") after the welds were ground down very little mudd need to be applied and I still dont have any issues with the gate.

Buy some 1/8" rod. Its dirty cheap and will fill the gap well and be strong still. I gotta do my truck this way to keep the stock pressings.

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We did this on my old bed, Drove with Paint for 6 years, No Cracks. Just be careful of warpage, jump around while welding it up!

just fill the gap between the tailgate and bed and radius the corners and you will be fine, done several and no cracks and they have been done for years

not to dig up an old thread... but i have had two mazda trucks, both with welded tailgates... space the tailgate in the center, grab some 1/4" rod or somethin... weld it up to fill the gaps. i usually weld the inside along the bottom and sides to give it extra support... if your goin cheap, this works...

oh and to help prevent cracking... put a layer of fiberglass over the welds... bondo over that...

cool I will try that... I may just wait to buy my combo though I dont know... thanks for the help