No Offense But I'd Like To Modify The Tailgate...

[MagicMtnDan]

No offense but I'd like to modify the tailgate. About 5 years back I had a Chevy Silverado pickup and I removed the "Chevrolet" banner that ran all the way across the tailgate. It was stuck on with double-sided tape and it came off relatively easily (when the truck was very new).

Unfortunately, the Av's tailgate design won't allow this what with the "Chevrolet" molded into the panel. I'm not familiar with the tailgate's construction (haven't gotten my Av yet) so I'm wondering if there's an "easy way" to change the outer panel out (for example, can I swap only the panel - not the entire tailgate - out with a Cadillac panel - which I believe is smooth)?

If that won't work I'm afraid to even ask what the cost of a new tailgate (Cadillac) would be. What do you Av experts say about this? Anyone gotten rid of the "Chevrolet" graphics on the tailgate?

Thanks

 

[got_change]

magic, id like to get a custom tailgate, outer skin only, no load bearing capacity, but with latches and the duckbill for the upper seal, and have it wiegh ...maybe 10 pounds, i take mine off about once a week, and its heavy.. i have fiberglass boat builder friends, and might try to do one on a trde for something with him , one of these days,, i like your SMOOOTH idea!

 

[ShapeShifter]

I'm not familiar with the tailgate's construction (haven't gotten my Av yet) so I'm wondering if there's an "easy way" to change the outer panel out (for example, can I swap only the panel - not the entire tailgate - out with a Cadillac panel - which I believe is smooth)?

Check out XRover's tailgate power lock thread. He talks about taking the gate apart. It's a tedious task, but doable. However, I have no idea if the Caddy skin would fit. Some Av/EXT parts are interchangeable, some are not.

-- SS

 

[larryd]

the caddy tailgate skin goes right on the av.
you have to fix 3 holes in the middle though
thats where the caddy emblem goes.

good luck

 

[MagicMtnDan]

the caddy tailgate skin goes right on the av.
you have to fix 3 holes in the middle though
thats where the caddy emblem goes.

good luck

Thanks for the response.

Do you mind if I ask you a question?

How do you know this for sure?

Sorry, I don't mean to question what you know but I'm not anxious to buy a Caddy-back and find out it won't work (and after I've scratched it or something find out they won't take it back).

Thanks again.

 

[XRover]

If I can look at a Caddy gate I can tell you if it will work.

Don't even think of sanding it down because it is raised letters and is only about 3/8" thick.

If you decide to do the power tailgate mod then after you have removed the skin (Painted portion of the gate which has the chevy name), Give it to a fiberglass guy and have it shaved and glassed.

 

[tractman]

When I had my av striped` I had the Chevrolet letters painted to match the cladding and it looks very nice...

 

[Chief]

If I can look at a Caddy gate I can tell you if it will work.

Do you need to see it in person or will a high res photo help?

EXT tail gate

I know for sure that the EXT tail lights are shorter than the AV's if that helps.

 

[larryd]

Thanks for the response.

Do you mind if I ask you a question?

How do you know this for sure?

Sorry, I don't mean to question what you know but I'm not anxious to buy a Caddy-back and find out it won't work (and after I've scratched it or something find out they won't take it back).

Thanks again.

this is a picture of my brothers 2500 av.
i know because i did it.


[attachment deleted by admin larger then 100KB]

 

[larryd]

its held on with rivets and 2way tape.
get the rivets from the dealer with the panel.

 

[Vortek5300]

larryd,

first off, great work!!!

secondly couple of questions for you (if you dont mind):

-is that avalanche logo on the tailgate raised letters, or painted?

-you mind sharing details on the caddy 3rd brake light install, looks awsome (or you can PM me whenever you get a chance).

-that paint isnt the stock sunset orange is it, looks like house of color candy tangerine or something...

again, great work...

 

[Boar-Ral]

that paint isnt the stock sunset orange is it, looks like house of color candy tangerine or something.

I would call it Kool-Aid orange.

 

[steelheadchaser]

Very cool LarryD!

 

[MagicMtnDan]

this is a picture of my brothers 2500 av.
i know because i did it.

Well, you've been very helpful. Now is there any chance I can get a part number (or numbers) for the part/parts I need to order at the Caddy dealer?

How hard will it be to replace the Chevy panel with the Cadillac panel (once I get the Caddy panel painted)?

Thanks again

 

[larryd]

larryd,

first off, great work!!! ?

secondly couple of questions for you (if you dont mind):

-is that avalanche logo on the tailgate raised letters, or painted?

-you mind sharing details on the caddy 3rd brake light install, looks awsome (or you can PM me whenever you get a chance).

-that paint isnt the stock sunset orange is it, looks like house of color candy tangerine or something...

again, great work...

Vortek5300

the av logo is painted.

the caddy brakelight is all factory caddy parts from the brake light to the tailgate trim. its very costly
about 3000.00 bucks.
it goes right on the av with no mod needed.

you know your colors buddy
house of kolor silver base with candy tangerine.
on the $$$$$.

 

[half-breed]

I would like to see more picts of the orange AV side, front, etc.

 

[lbotkin1]

To do the changes this person did it would not cost $3000! The tailgate skin is about $200 wholesale.

Lawrence

 

[MagicMtnDan]

The tailgate skin is about $200 wholesale. ?

Lawrence

That's great news! Do you have a part number (numbers) for the tailgate skin? Where can I get one for $200? I'm ready to buy and then I'll get it painted and install it!

 

[Bear]

this is a picture of my brothers 2500 av.
i know because i did it.

larryd,


Awesome AV!!!!!!

I'm really interested in more pic's! Please post a link to an online photo album. That is one bad looking AV!!!!

Very cool!

 

[kimmelAV]

Anyone have part numbers for the Caddy tailgate skin. I'm interested in doing this mod and need that part number. This thread says $200, which seems pretty cheap.

Would appreciate anyones help.

Also, anyone else who has done this? Would like to see some more pics and tips anyone has.

 

[danlwil]

That would be a vast improvement! hmmmmm .... might get rid of a few scratches in the process!

 

[otisboy]

Make sure you take plenty of pics.

 

[WCFields]

OK, I think I'm going to do this mod (Cadillac tailgate skin) and the timing is perfect because I'm going to do the rear tailgate release (Rod's kit) so when I remove the outer tailgate Av panel/skin I can install the Caddy skin/panel when I put it all back together.

So the question is, can anyone here (especially in SoCal) get Caddy parts at wholesale for me/us? This thing costs (list) $306.61 and someone (above post) said wholesale is $200 which is a price I'd gladly pay.

By the way, the part number is 88944303 and it will come from warehouse in Flint, MI (not in stock out here). I sure hope it fits right up but there's no reason that it shouldn't...

Hey MMD,

I just ran your part number through GMPartsDirect.com and it came up $220 shipped.

Not too bad. $180 for the skin and $40 for shipping.

Once you become familiar with taking the skin off, it wouldn't be that hard to do again for the last time. Check with Ken & Cindy on this.

WC

 

[Wind4Power]

Really cool mod you've got planned Dan... I was wondering do you need to order the EXT tailgate (handle/lock) bezel too?

 

[TheLimit]

I hope you all can deal with that alignment of the lower cladding on the tailgate. The light-blue line shows where the Av cladding ends. The EXT "cladding" piece is taller.