New tailgate.....

[Taily]

Can you still get a skin to go on an original tail gate

Yep, there are a few guys around still doing them Old Skool Auto parts is one. Either google or ebay, either way there are still people making/selling them.

[Taily]

Why would anyone make a product that is supposedly a "replacement part" that isn't an exact copy?

Because if they make it to suit the one application and if it can suit another application (with owner mods) then they reckon that is close (or good) enough for them and the consumer will just have to "put up" with not being able to return it if they fluff the mods or even mark the metal for that matter.

A bit like them only doing 3mm steering wheels. They'll do the job but they are not the "right" part. Sign of the times Rob, I've recently been spending quite a bit on repro bits and some of the parts are very very good, some parts have me looking back at the original to see if I could make that bit work again.

At least someone is at least attempting to do repro bits for our old busses. I wish they'd hurry up with a few more external hanging panels. I see a lot of rusty crap at swaps and on ebay nowadays and I feel for the poor blokes with rusted out doors and wonder that if the unthinkable should happen and I prang my ute just what would I replace any hanging panels with? It would be very very nice to be able to go and buy a new door or guard or even a bonnet for a HJ-Z but hey, we can only hope....

[panoz78]

As much as I hate to say it Rob
I had heaps of problems with my supposedly you beut bottom tailgate .
The sides had to be square up lots, then still had to stuff around with the bottom hinges to get the alignment right..
After all that I still have the problem of the excessive gap in the Middle at the bottom, the same as Agro ,big enough to put your. Fingers through.
Hope yours is a good one and you don't have any dramas,just spend plenty of time on the trial fitting..

[Big Rob]

I guess I'll hold any more comments until I fit it and see, but I'm a lot less enthusiastic about starting the job than I was a week ago....

[agr071]

Another QUALITY Rare Spares part.
Pics aren't the best, but if you blow them up you'll see the gaps.
Pic 1 has a piece of wood sitting on each corner of the tailgate.Tailgate gap a.jpg
Pic 2 is using a spirit level Tailgate gap b.jpg

Worst part about it is the money that I paid for a "Good Quality Genuine Thickness Tailgate", I had to take the notches out of the top corners to make it fit the van BEFORE I was able to realise the fault. Sent an Email to Rare Spares with no reply...... How Unusual.
They were quite happy to take my money but haven't even got the courtesy to email me back. Money hungry bastards.

[Innuendo]

If the gate is not fit for purpose and was sold to you as a gate you need to modify to fit your Panel Van (and it's not fit for purpose) it can be returned.
If it was sold to you as a Ute tailgate and you were told you cannot modify it in any way (or no returns) that is a different story.
Consumer rights really isn't a grey area. But is important you prove your case. 9/10 the consumer wins with a realistic case.

[agr071]

They have on the sticker on the box "Suit Ute" but their ad says different.
ImageHandler.jpg
http://www.rarespares.net.au/rarespa...roduct=2816908

[Innuendo]

Based on what is stated online. If the product is not fit for purpose (even after being notched to fit the Panel Van) it will be law you get a refund.
Of course it can't be bodged or botched job in anyway. Ask for the refund and see what happens. ACCC and/or Consumer Affairs (or whatever they are called this week) will set them straight.

Imagine you purchase and install; then you or a passenger are overcome by fumes and this results in an accident or worse, even though you have install the seal and done everything to install as intended. It would only have to be proved a contributing factor and legal eagles would have them by the nuts.

[Vombil]

boys boys boys.... I had a look at my beaten to F67k original HQ ute gate today and it's snug as a bug... no gaping gaps... walked over to my HX with the rares original thickness and holy shit! What a stinkin gap at inside lower middle!!!! easy fit a finger and can see clear daylight. From the outside it looks quite acceptable at a glance. you blokes were onto something here. so i retract my earlier comments about them fitting well. this would in no way be acceptable for a panelvan as innerz mentioned with fumes etc

And yes I can categorically tell you under ACL you are entitled to a full refund and some potentially (should you have paid to have it painted etc) if the gate does not fit. I don't have a beef with Rares. The blokes at my local store are legends.

I'm sure they have had this negative feedback on lower tailgates prior. I'd expect them to sell through stock at hand and then pull this product/batch from the market. Sorry Rares. no malice implied or intended

[Vombil]

photo (87).JPGphoto (86).JPGphoto (98).JPGphoto (99).JPGphoto (99).JPGgate1.JPGgate2.JPG

Greg you didnt give me your email and i wasn't able to find it on the rares site. I wasn't able to upload to PM (could insert URL?) so here they are. thanks