A Tailgate Bench is an instant conversation starter and a fun furniture project to build. Learn how to build a Rustic Tailgate Bench with this simple to follow tutorial, including the detailed build instructions.
Happy Saturday! Today I’m finally sharing the tutorial for this awesome tailgate bench I’ve been teasing you with for the past several weeks. I actually got the idea to build this bench about a year and a half ago. I mentioned something to my mom about it and the next day she and her boyfriend showed up with a tailgate they’d picked up at a swap meet. It was perfectly rusty and had such a gorgeous patina. Unfortunately, I just wasn’t feeling inspired enough to build it just yet. Then came the challenge of building this tire planter and suddenly it just wouldn’t look right if it didn’t have an awesome tailgate bench next to it.
Here’s what you’ll need to get started:
Keep in mind this is for the tailgate I had, which was 50 3/4″ x 19 1/2″. If yours is bigger or smaller, adjust the length of the bench accordingly.
Supply list:
- 2 – 4×4 @ 8′ long
- 2 – 2×4 @ 8′ long
- 3 – 1×6 @ 6′ long
- 1 – 1×4 @ 6′ long
- 2×6 @ 8′ long
- kreg jig
- 2 1/2″ pocket screws
- brad nailer
- 1 1/2″ brad nails
- wood glue
- 2 1/2″ deck screws
- miter saw
- jigsaw
- 2″ lag bolts
- washers
- 2″ angle brackets
- Tailgate
Cut list:
- 2 – 4×4 @ 37.5″ (back legs)
- 2 – 4×4 @ 23 1/4″ (front legs)
- 2 – 2 – 2×4 @ 13.5″ (side rails)
- 2 – 2×4 @ 50 3/4″ (front and back braces)
- 2 – 2×4 @ 17 1/2″ (center supports)
- 3 – 1×6 boards @ 57 3/4″ (bench seat)
- 1 – 1×4 @ 57 3/4″ (bench seat)
- 2 – 2×6 @ 18″ (armrests)
Drill 1 1/2″ pocket holes into side rails, front and back braces and center supports. Mark the front and bag legs 17 1/4″ from the bottom of the legs. Clamp and attach the side rails with the bottom of the rail on that mark using wood glue and 2 1/2″ pocket screws. Do the same for the other side.
Like the side rails, mark the front and back legs again at 17″ from the bottom of the leg and attach to the front and back legs with wood glue and 2 1/2″ pocket screws.
Measure 16″ in from each leg and attach the center supports with 2 1/2″ pocket screws.
For the seat, notch out the front 1×6 and the back 1×6 on each end to fit around the 4×4 legs. This can be done with a jigsaw. I love using my Blade Runner
for these types of cuts. (affiliate link)
I attached the front and back 1×6 boards using wood glue and 1 1/2″ brad nails.
I evenly spaced out the 1×6 and 1×4 boards between the front and back boards and also glued and nailed them down with 1 1/2″ brad nails.
I cut the arms and free-hand drew the shape I wanted them to be. I traced that same shape onto the second arm and then used my Blade Runner to shape them.
I sanded the corners down on my belt sander and then also finished shaping the narrow part of the armrest on the belt sander. If you do not have a belt sander, then you can cut the corners on your jigsaw or Blade Runner and then sand them with an orbital sander. I rounded the edges off with my orbital sander.
To attach the armrests, I drilled 1 1/2″ pocket holes into the side that attaches to the back legs and used 2 1/2″ pocket screws to attach them. Then I drilled 2 1/2″ deck screws down into the top of the armrest to attach to the front legs.
I stained the bench with Behr semi-transparent weatherproofing wood stain. I was able to do it with just a couple of sample-sized cans.
To attach the tailgate to the bench, I used 2″ lag bolts at the top of the tailgate and 1 1/2″ corner braces. I know it wasn’t ideal to have to drill holes into the bottom of the tailgate, but I couldn’t find any other way to attach it. Hopefully all of the classic car/truck enthusiasts can forgive me.
The finished bench turned out so awesome. I love the rustic look of it and I am kicking myself for taking so long to build it. It is a great conversation piece and it could also be a perfect gift idea for the motorheads in your life. Father’s day is coming up and I think I may find a Ford tailgate and make another one of these for my dad.
DISCLOSURE: This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase an item from one of these links, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Love the bench and tire planter project
I like the bench, but mine will be all metal. I bought a willys’ tailgate and am fixin’ to build a bench for a family member.
Very cool! I’m sure it will look awesome!
I was going to do the same thing for a high school project but take the weight of the bench to consideration because NO ONE wants to carry around a 300 pound bench just saying
Yes, it’s definitely heavy, though not 300lbs. Granted, it’s also meant to sit in one place. It’s not a portable bench.
Thanks for the instructions. Made one for my friend’s wedding present and it turned out great thanks to you so thanks again.
Cody recently posted…Great Outdoors Challenge!
That’s so cool, Cody! I’d love to see a picture of it and even feature it on social media if you don’t mind. I bet your friends loved it!
https://plus.google.com/u/0/112573437405560265974/posts
It’s almost finished just gotta add some personal touches. No cup holders or lights as I didn’t want to get too fancy.
I’m sure it will look amazing! I’m not sure if you included a link to the photo, but nothing came up.
Won’t let me add a picture. Its posted on my Google+ account.
You can always email it. katie@addicted2diy.com 🙂
Thanks for the awesome plans built my dad this bench using a 1955 Chevrolet tailgate! I emailed you a few pics of it!
Your’s turned out awesome, too! Great job!
Thank you so much for the instructions. Easy to follow, great pictures and instructions. Thank you
How did you apply the stain? By brush? Looks great!
Hi Stran,
Yes, I used a brush to apply it.
O used ur design very nice but u might want to let people know u used a,smaller pickup tailgate for as full size tailgates r 65 to 67″
She used a narrow bed tailgate. Front and back brace lengths would need to be the length of the tailgate itself. I’d maybe add another center brace for a 66″ wide tailgate. The seat bottom planks can just be measured off the frame once together or you should be okay cutting at 74″.
Great write up, by the way!
Thanks, Tyler!
Love this. I used the plans to build a bench to “store” my spare tailgate for my Jeep j truck. It came out FANTASTIC! Thank you!
Mine can be seen here:. https://1drv.ms/i/s!AuDltYGXfNo7jTHO45rTmmxx70Au
It turned out amazing, Jason! Great job!
Just wondering what color of Behr stain you used on this
Hi Lynn, I wish I could tell you, but I don’t have the stain anymore. I want to say it was Padre Brown.
Hi, and thank YOU for documenting this beautiful bench ! Well done !
Thank you, Carlo!
Great bench and the tailgate I’m useing is slightly bigger. 67″ inches long and 22″ 1/2 inches top to bottom. So should I extend my front and back legs by 3 1/2 inches taller?
If doing this again, since the bench may be placed on grass,would you use pressure treated wood for the legs?
You certainly could. Our friends still have not had any issues with theirs.
I am going to make a tailgate bench soon. Most of these seem to be made out of pressure treated wood. I thought I might use something else so it’s not as toxic. My local home depot has 4×4 Douglas fir posts. I may use those. But for the smaller dimensional boards, not sure. Maybe I split a 4×4?
Hi! The bench looks great! I used your ideas and made some changes to make one of my own. What did you coat the tailgate with? It appears to have a shinier finish in the final pics. Just wondering about applying some type of clear coat to mine to give it a little protection and a better finish. Thanks!
Hi Steve, I used a semi-transparent outdoor stain. You could certainly add a clear coat, though I’m not sure if I would apply one over an outdoor stain.
Thank you so much for the DIY just built in and it cane out aweosme but seriously thank you for taking the time and making this write up
Do you have an email I can send you some pictures?
Hi Peter,
That’s awesome! So glad to hear you built one! I’d love to see photos. My email is katie@addicted2diy.com. Thanks!
Really like the bench. I have a 50’s something Dodge black and white tailgate. I haven’t measured it yet. I’m a 68 yo female so I’d have to have my brother build it, if he will. Thanks!