When Christine and I drove down to Gruene, TX, I saw a bunch of old tailgates for sale (for waaaay too much money), and it gave me the idea to use one as the back of a bench. I looked up potential ideas online and it turns out there are hundreds of tailgate benches, but surprisingly no decent build designs that I could find. So I ended up creating my own version, and I’m pretty happy with it.
Found this on the back of a beat up Chevy C10 from the late 70s/early 80s at Wrench-A-Part off Highway 71 outside of Austin.
Brought it home, cleaned it up, took measurements, and began planning for the bench frame. I used all cedar (4x4s, 1x6s, and a 2×4) since it was going to be outside and I wanted it to last.
The wood!
Hand-sawing the top angle because I didn’t have a big enough Miter. The rest of the cuts I was able to make in 1 or 2 goes, though you have to be careful when making your second cut to get it just right.
Sides completed.
The frame comes together. Went a little overboard and countersunk 1/2″ x 6″ lag bolts (usually used when building decks) into the 4xs…this thing ain’t going nowhere.
Got the 6xs cut and screwed in around the 4x4s and it’s starting to look like bench. The license plate is an old one my dad kept in the garage, which I thought would add a nice touch later on.
Used a hacksaw to custom cut the braces to secure the tailgate to the 4x4s. Metal on metal is not a pretty sound. I then hammered them to fit the curves of the back of the tailgate.
Used two coats of Flood CWF-UV5 oil finish. Turned out darker than I figured but I liked it.
Wood-glued the supports rather than using screws because I thought it would look better. Didn’t matter anyway…the trailer ride to my house jostled them out of place. Screws it is!
things pat made 
