Would you rebuild the lift gate?

RedMF40 · Jul 12, 2022

I'm trying to decide what to do about the rust on my lift gate. The torsion bars are shot but overall function of the lift gate is very good. It raises and lowers normally and the motor is fairly new. It looks like replacing the whole thing would be a major task as the deck looks to be an integral part of the lift frame. I don't see how they separate. I'm thinking that grinding off the welds of that top plate and putting new metal in would be a start, but it's not like I do this kind of thing very often. I welcome any thoughts. BTW I won't be able to respond or read any comments until late tomorrow (Wed). Thanks in advance, Gerrit

Janicholson · Jul 12, 2022

Have it sand blasted clean and rust free in every visible spot. Primer and paint with a bed spray on coating. Use a 3/16 steel plate over the
top rusted piece. Drill and countersink for flat head 1/4 20 screws. Use door and window urethane caulk between the new plate and the rusted one
to keep water out prior to screwing it together. Jim

rustred · Jul 12, 2022

i presume the bottom picture is the inside or outside of the top photo? its hard to tell with out pic of the whole assembly. if it was mine
i would cut out that rusted piece and replace it with new metal. and any other place that is rusted.

Traditional Farmer · Jul 13, 2022

How wide is that lift gate,I have a new never used gate I bought to take the hydraulics off of.

Tslinger · Jul 13, 2022

I've worked with gates way worse than that... Didn't enjoy it, but they never failed...

Personally, I'd cut/grind that bottom plate out, and replace it. I would not just layer it. You will flat out never keep all the water out from between the plates, and that will rust fast.

The rest of the frame looks ok. Perhaps a sandblast, and paint on the rest to protect the bottom. They take a pretty good beating from road grit/salt/water since they face forward going down the road.

showcrop · Jul 13, 2022

I think that if you took it in for a replacement that that cleaning up underneath so that the new one can be welded onto your frame would run a big bill up.

Geo-TH,In · Jul 13, 2022

X2, Cut the rusted plate and weld in a new one.
Go to your local garage door place. They can make you new
springs..

kencombs · Jul 13, 2022

I had a lift gate that had similar issues a few years ago. It looks to me like your major issue is the bottom layer of the last several inches. Remove that layer using a little grinder with cutoff disks then sandblast the exposed surfaces. You'll probably find a lot of internal rust too once that layer is gone. The good part is that area is not really structural, it is mainly just a ramp to get loads up to the structural part.

Weld on a new layer, after painting the area that will be covered with a cold galvanizing paint. Really just powdered zinc in a carrier/binder.

karlinpa · Jul 13, 2022

lift gate parts even the torsion srrings can be had at your local truck trailer shop just need model number

RedMF40 · Jul 13, 2022

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll have to study on this for awhile as I could be opening a can of worms if I start in on it with no clear game plan. There's a lot of rust and scale that isn't that obvious in the photos. I'd rather replace the very rusted-out plate than cover it because I think it'll cause problems with how the lift sits on the ground. I roll wheeled equipment onto it and the lip would probably sit an inch or so off the ground if I don't take the old metal out. One other thing--my cutoff wheel is one of those small "whiz-wheels" as some people call them. Just a small air tool with maybe 4" wheels. Not sure how much headway I can make with that. Probably an angle grinder would be a better choice. I do have gas and stick welding equipment. Not an expert at either but I get by.
Thanks again, I'll check back if and when I do anything on this. Gerrit

RedMF40 · Jul 13, 2022

(quoted from post at 03:21:09 07/13/22) How wide is that lift gate,I have a new never used gate I bought to take the hydraulics off of.

91" wide
36" Deep

I'd be open to replacing the whole thing. Gerrit

Ken Macfarlane · Jul 14, 2022

On mine that top rusted bit was just sheet metal beauty cover, can just cut it off. Slap some paint on it.

Ours eventually the cross members rotted out too, still worked ok.

MARK ROBKE · Jul 14, 2022

Agreed, best, easiest way to go. Mark.

Would you rebuild the lift gate?

RedMF40

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Janicholson

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rustred

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Traditional Farmer

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Tslinger

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showcrop

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Geo-TH,In

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kencombs

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karlinpa

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RedMF40

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RedMF40

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Ken Macfarlane

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MARK ROBKE

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