Tailgate protection

My tailgate is all bent up on the inside from sliding tool boxes in and out from work. It still works functionally but it looks like a ran over it about 10 times. I found a new tailgate on craigslist, but when I went to look for some tailgate protection I found nothing available online.

I work with alot of metal fab shops and am considering have them fab me up a tailgate plate like the ones I have seen for second gens:

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/29117-weak-tailgate-reinforcement-solution.html

I don't think relentless ever made these for 1st gens or even 2nd gens.

If I can setup a deal where I make 10 or 20 of these would any of you 1st gen owners be interested in them? I am not a fan of diamond plate, so they would probably be bare steel or aluminum.

I can also powder coat them if there is interest.

 

Use a crane or hoist to lift tool box out. Swhat we do. Get it to beefed and you'll become over confident till you have a catastrophic failure! Haha?

 

I got prices back from one place. They could do a run of 15-20 in aluminum for $199. That does not cover powder coating. Seems a little high to me. I was hoping for about half of that price.

I am gonna ask around to some smaller shops to see if they can beat the price.