could i make a tailgate stiffener with maple?

could i just screw a maple board to my tailgate with the holes that are already there but with longer screws? do you guys think those screw holes would be strong enough?

sitting in the parking lot of home depot now so quick answers would be appreciated!

 

Those screws go into plastic inserts, so I would replace them with nut serts and whatever length bolt you need. As far as making a flat board look good as a tailgate stiffener... idk what your skills are, but I don’t think it will end up looking as good as an aftermarket stiffener.

Good luck. If you do it please post some pics!

 

i saw that it was plastic and gave up. too damn cold out! i may end up pulling the tailgate into my dads woodshop and make something up, but i think it might just be worth dropping the money for a relentless alum one.

 

That’s what I did. Relentless aluminum and mobtown rivnuts (but it would be easy enough to buy rivnuts elsewhere)

 

relentless or mobtown... who is better for their alum cap/stiffener?

 

If I remember correctly, mob town was 2 pieces. Relentless is 1 piece that curves over the top of the tailgate. I figured the relentless will be stronger and look better for that reason.

 

professional crastinator