Diy tailgate panel

[mayonaise_invasion]

Has anyone done a DIY aluminum tailgate panel. My buddy has the xtr off road one for his tacoma and it's pretty damn slick. They make one for the maverick but it's $285. A panel of 1/8" aluminum is pretty damn cheap. Perhaps someone smarter than myself could cad the cut out for a cnc machine?

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[Blinky]

So it just bolts on over the factory tailgate surface? At first I was thinking about those mesh ones you used to see in the 90s that were supposed to help fuel economy but this is really simple.
My truck is still in the shop for hail repair (going on 2 months less a couple days) but I could probably draw something like this up.

 

[mayonaise_invasion]

Yeah it bolts right over giving you a completely flat surface. The xtr one has the spray on bed liner which is also easy enough. I feel like the cup holders would be easy as well. Here's a link to the xtr.
https://xtr-offroad.com/collections/ford-trailgates/products/ford-maverick-trailgate-panel

 

[lonewoof]

I'm new to owning a truck, so please excuse my ignorance. How does this help/ how is it better compared to the plastic tailgate liner? What use case am I missing?

 

[mayonaise_invasion]

I'm new to owning a truck, so please excuse my ignorance. How does this help/ how is it better compared to the plastic tailgate liner? What use case am I missing?

So tail gate comes from the factory with ridges similar to the surface of the bed. If you're trying to use the tailgate as a work surface or a cooking surface, it's annoying that it's not flat. This solves that problem

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

I guess I solved two problems at once with my pull-out tray.

 

[MakinDoForNow]

So tail gate comes from the factory with ridges similar to the surface of the bed. If you're trying to use the tailgate as a work surface or a cooking surface, it's annoying that it's not flat. This solves that problem

Warning the tailgate has a 400# weight limit, so figure out the best way to ask your tailgate buddy "how much do you weigh?".
Also be careful of the mayonnaise lid sized cup holders if you are going to sit on it very long.

 

[mayonaise_invasion]

Warning the tailgate has a 400# weight limit, so figure out the best way to ask your tailgate buddy "how much do you weigh?".
Also be careful of the mayonnaise lid sized cup holders if you are going to sit on it very long.

Uhh ok? I'm planning on using it as a cooking surface while camping so I don't think the weight limit will be an issue

 

[Sig-vicious]

Warning the tailgate has a 400# weight limit, so figure out the best way to ask your tailgate buddy "how much do you weigh?".
Also be careful of the mayonnaise lid sized cup holders if you are going to sit on it very long.

Ahh...thanks for the PSA, I'm pushing 250# so not much room for friends.

 

[baztien.xplrz]

Here's something similar on eBay for $190 if anyone is interested. Flat surface using polymer. No cupholders however https://www.ebay.com/itm/3961118533...uid=t8N-yk6aTea&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

 

[Eggflipper]

I could see where that would come in handy. Providing a nice flat surface.

 

[Mdmac]

I could see where that would come in handy. Providing a nice flat surface.

I like the idea I would just be concerned on how slick it is or will get? Guess you could put some of that sandpaper like tape on it. But makes sense.

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