ofelas

I dragged half of an old truck back to the old homestead a couple weeks back.



Had a spare hood ornament laying around -



Then I fueled up with that high performance red stuff -



This may seem random, but it got me thinking. High sulfur diesel in leaky non Mopar jerry cans + lamb turds make for a very slippery tailgate.

So I took a drive yesterday & came across a tailgate in great shape - picked it up for my buddy Aerospace Jim as thats what friends do - no money needed.



I needed a non slip surface for the tailgate, so some homemade Bailey's and a sugar maple fire later, I hit upon a brilliant idea to better the OEM solution.



I used an approved Weber grate brush, specially softened liver strained Guinness water, and gopher safe orange cleaner to scrub the years of grime off the ultra rare OEM non IC tailgate rubber mat.



What you see here folks will make the most hardened procedural nut smile - Bell Helicopter center punch, Boeing T9 Boeshield anti rust, and genuine US made Milwaukee titanium nitrided bits. And of course, placement measured to 1/64" with an NOS Whyte tape measure. Impact battery carefully charged to the approved level with OEM electricity. 110.275v, no less, no more.



OEM cup washers for the OEM screws. Wire brushed & sprayed with OEM Mopar Vinyl Protectant, of course. When only the best will do.



The result? Better than OEM fit & function. Because it really makes a difference.



Special thanks -

1/ Baer Aerospace Jim - Boeshield T9 & flight approved methodology.
2/ Boeing Turbojet Tom - GE/Airbus locking security screws
3/ Bell Helicopter Mike - Bell center punch. Works even on Mars.

Guest mentions -

1/ BC 747 - he inspired me to use a Baer Aerospace caliper to measure each cup washer for correct fitment into the tailgate mat depressions. Because less turbulence will give me 1/64 second better timeslips.

2/ Jim Lane - inspired me to use Airbus special security bit titanium hardware. Because thieves will be after my rare OEM tailgate mat.

Remember folks, 3 stage step drilling screw holes & 27 degree chamfer angles are the key.

boeingguy

You did well to use the custom Airbus security hardware to protect your rare OEM find..., I hear some NE vendors charge $150 for OEM factory ribbed bed mats.. I like the hood ornament as well! Thumbs up

ofelas

$150 is cut priced custom ripped salted junk.
As you know, $250 + shipping for pristine piece. Tailgate mat free, and ribbed for your pleasure.
No Vaseline included.
Thanks for the thumbs up, hope the install pics help.
Hood ornament on charcoal at Greg's in couple weeks. Bring shine.

j.fonder

do you think the security hardware would be adequate to secure OEM NOS rad flap? i don't have security cameras and i'd hate to lose such a precious piece. thanks for the write-up. recommend for a sticky?

ofelas

Dude, aircraft hardware guarantees no theft and I can even park on a cloud.

You need to replace that rad flap you gave me last year. Free is not an excuse to sit back.
Brush the crumbs off your salt water rear and start looking.

boeingguy

I see I need more education..., being from the south, all comparable parts are salt free and in pristine condition , I assumed others would be likewise.... Good work nonetheless

sherod

Try as I might, I can find no fault with your methodology. I do worry that the depth of your attachment may result in some diametric turbulence at transitional speeds. May I suggest a flow study at the shift points to preclude any flutter?

Overall a job deserving STC award!

1992 Renegade

And here I thought my tailgate mat was just some generic aftermarket setup.

BHD

That must be glorious.

ofelas

Gents.
PM me for flight approved better than OEM hardware.
Makes Dodge orbit approved.

Blue Goose

beautiful truck! what size tires are you running? stock rims?
Thanks!

j.fonder

he's a little slow to respond. 285/75 on stock 16" steelies.

Blue Goose

that's OK, be a while before I need new rubber, just for future reference,

Lary Ellis (Top)

That's a heck of a way to talk about your buddy

ofelas

I must be slow.

Gents, I had some perturbing news.

I did not use aircraft approved lube on my drill bits.

I feel crushed.

I failed in my attempt to recreate a new OEM+ standard.

I will remove, remeasure & reinstall as soon as I get this at my doorstep -