Fleetside Tailgate help needed - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

70c10 · 02-22-2005, 11:41 PM

I just got my tailgate parts today from Bill Athey (great vendor) and need some help with getting the spring loaded latches on and then getting the gate to clear the trunions.

. I installed the new handle and the 2 inner rods first, now I need some help on getting the 2 spring loaded end latches on and a way to clear those trunions. The 71' shop manual was not much help. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

72 CustomCamper · 02-23-2005, 12:33 AM

It's alot easier to hook the rods to the outer latches first then fish then into the gate. Then you can hook up the handel assembly. As for the trunions you will need to unbolt one side from the bed put the other side of the gate on the other trunion then take the one you unbolted, put it on the gate and slide it from the top down until you can get a bolt started...

Chuck

70c10 · 02-23-2005, 08:27 AM

Man I was hoping that was not the answer on the rods!. I had a hell of a time getting them attached to the handle. I guess I will pull them back out tonight and try that way.

As far as the trunions I'm a little unclear on that. I don't see how I can attach one side and drop the other side down and then bolt it in. It almost seems like I would have to push the trunions into the ends of the gate and then slide it down from the top and then start the bolts. This thing is a nightmare

Thanks for the reply Chuck!. If anybody else has a trick I'm all ears

72 CustomCamper · 02-23-2005, 06:16 PM

Hey Jim, you could make it into a quick release gate. My dad did that to the 69 bad and gate on my 72. It's not that hard and it's alot easier to remove the gate next time. If you want I can Email you the pics of the mod...

Chuck

70c10 · 02-23-2005, 06:39 PM

Thanks for the offer Chuck. That would be great. I'd still like to be able to figure out how to hang this the stock way as well.

70c10 · 02-24-2005, 04:04 AM

Chuck, so far your tips worked great!. The trunions worked as you described. I pulled the rods and handle back off and attached the spring loaded ends to the rods and fished them in toward the handle but I have to massage the metal on the top of the handle because it rubs the gate. After I tweak the handle I will proceed. The truck looks complete with a tailgate!

72 CustomCamper · 02-24-2005, 05:50 AM

Glad to help...

Chuck

02-22-2005, 11:41 PM	#1
70c10 67-72 Addict! Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: The TAX State! Posts: 7,857	Fleetside Tailgate help needed I just got my tailgate parts today from Bill Athey (great vendor) and need some help with getting the spring loaded latches on and then getting the gate to clear the trunions. . I installed the new handle and the 2 inner rods first, now I need some help on getting the 2 spring loaded end latches on and a way to clear those trunions. The 71' shop manual was not much help. Any help would be greatly appreciated. __________________ Jim 1970 C/10 Fleetside w/Ghost Flames Lowered 4.5" front and 4" rear (Raked) 355/350 Turbo w/shift kit 10" Redneck Performance Verter w/2500 stall Hooker Super Comps part#2808-1 Performer RPM Air-Gap 12 Bolt w/3:73 gears- Eaton Posi Comp Cams XE262 with 1.6 Crane Energizers, Road Demon 625 and Brodix IK 180 heads

02-23-2005, 12:33 AM	#2
72 CustomCamper huh ??? Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Fredericksburg,Va. Posts: 3,369	It's alot easier to hook the rods to the outer latches first then fish then into the gate. Then you can hook up the handel assembly. As for the trunions you will need to unbolt one side from the bed put the other side of the gate on the other trunion then take the one you unbolted, put it on the gate and slide it from the top down until you can get a bolt started... Chuck __________________ 90 Blazer Silverado 350w/ 700R4 and 32" Kelly's "I am a bomb technician. If you see me running try to keep up!"

02-23-2005, 08:27 AM	#3
70c10 67-72 Addict! Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: The TAX State! Posts: 7,857	Man I was hoping that was not the answer on the rods!. I had a hell of a time getting them attached to the handle. I guess I will pull them back out tonight and try that way. As far as the trunions I'm a little unclear on that. I don't see how I can attach one side and drop the other side down and then bolt it in. It almost seems like I would have to push the trunions into the ends of the gate and then slide it down from the top and then start the bolts. This thing is a nightmare Thanks for the reply Chuck!. If anybody else has a trick I'm all ears __________________ Jim 1970 C/10 Fleetside w/Ghost Flames Lowered 4.5" front and 4" rear (Raked) 355/350 Turbo w/shift kit 10" Redneck Performance Verter w/2500 stall Hooker Super Comps part#2808-1 Performer RPM Air-Gap 12 Bolt w/3:73 gears- Eaton Posi Comp Cams XE262 with 1.6 Crane Energizers, Road Demon 625 and Brodix IK 180 heads

02-23-2005, 06:16 PM	#4
72 CustomCamper huh ??? Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Fredericksburg,Va. Posts: 3,369	Hey Jim, you could make it into a quick release gate. My dad did that to the 69 bad and gate on my 72. It's not that hard and it's alot easier to remove the gate next time. If you want I can Email you the pics of the mod... Chuck __________________ 90 Blazer Silverado 350w/ 700R4 and 32" Kelly's "I am a bomb technician. If you see me running try to keep up!"

02-23-2005, 06:39 PM	#5
70c10 67-72 Addict! Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: The TAX State! Posts: 7,857	Thanks for the offer Chuck. That would be great. I'd still like to be able to figure out how to hang this the stock way as well. __________________ Jim 1970 C/10 Fleetside w/Ghost Flames Lowered 4.5" front and 4" rear (Raked) 355/350 Turbo w/shift kit 10" Redneck Performance Verter w/2500 stall Hooker Super Comps part#2808-1 Performer RPM Air-Gap 12 Bolt w/3:73 gears- Eaton Posi Comp Cams XE262 with 1.6 Crane Energizers, Road Demon 625 and Brodix IK 180 heads

02-24-2005, 04:04 AM	#6
70c10 67-72 Addict! Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: The TAX State! Posts: 7,857	Chuck, so far your tips worked great!. The trunions worked as you described. I pulled the rods and handle back off and attached the spring loaded ends to the rods and fished them in toward the handle but I have to massage the metal on the top of the handle because it rubs the gate. After I tweak the handle I will proceed. The truck looks complete with a tailgate! __________________ Jim 1970 C/10 Fleetside w/Ghost Flames Lowered 4.5" front and 4" rear (Raked) 355/350 Turbo w/shift kit 10" Redneck Performance Verter w/2500 stall Hooker Super Comps part#2808-1 Performer RPM Air-Gap 12 Bolt w/3:73 gears- Eaton Posi Comp Cams XE262 with 1.6 Crane Energizers, Road Demon 625 and Brodix IK 180 heads

02-24-2005, 05:50 AM	#7
72 CustomCamper huh ??? Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Fredericksburg,Va. Posts: 3,369	Glad to help... Chuck __________________ 90 Blazer Silverado 350w/ 700R4 and 32" Kelly's "I am a bomb technician. If you see me running try to keep up!"



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