Tailgate handle bolts

[sick472]

I believe they are 5/16-18 by 1/2" long. Someone double check this for me. If you use stainless steel...use anti-seize. The affordable grades of SS hardware galls easily and could cause your handle mechanism to be rather permanent. I used SS button heads with SS rubber bonded washers...turned out nice.

[GMCPaul]

Off the top of my head they are 5/16"-18 X 1" but for length I could be wrong and they may only be 3/4" length instead of 1".
Paul Jr @ GMCPauls

[tdangle]

Just checked mine, original 5/16 18 thread and the thread length is 3/4". Only unique thing about the screw is it is a fairly large shallow round head called a truss head. (yes I looked it up!)

[lugnut]

Thanks everyone.

[lugnut]

Is it just me or are these aftermarket handles cheaply built? I bought one, it came damaged and bent. It was really flimsy where it hinges. Called the company and they sent another one but I'm not even going to take it out of the plastic because I can tell it's as flimsy as the first one. Any suggestions on where to get a good one? I found a really nice OEM gate but someone took the handle and hardware before me.

[lugnut]

Is it just me or are these aftermarket handles cheaply built? I bought one, it came damaged and bent. It was really flimsy where it hinges. Called the company and they sent another one but I'm not even going to take it out of the plastic because I can tell it's as flimsy as the first one. Any suggestions on where to get a good one? I found a really nice OEM gate but someone took the handle and hardware before me.

[lugnut]

Alright, what an I doing wrong? I bought a factory gate with no hardware. So I purchased a new handle assembly. It did not fit. When bolted in, the handle hits the gate. Took it apart and it looks bent. Box was beat up, maybe damage from shipping. Called the company and they sent a replacement. I could tell it looked the same but tried it anyway. Same thing. Hits on the handle opening. It will not lift up. An I just dealing with cheap aftermarket parts? Or am I missing something simple? I have no original to go off. It hits where I'm pointing in the pics.

[lugnut]

Originally Posted by lugnut

Alright, what an I doing wrong? I bought a factory gate with no hardware. So I purchased a new handle assembly. It did not fit. When bolted in, the handle hits the gate. Took it apart and it looks bent. Box was beat up, maybe damage from shipping. Called the company and they sent a replacement. I could tell it looked the same but tried it anyway. Same thing. Hits on the handle opening. It will not lift up. An I just dealing with cheap aftermarket parts? Or am I missing something simple? I have no original to go off. It hits where I'm pointing in the pics.

Can't post pics for some reason.

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Originally Posted by tdangle

Just checked mine, original 5/16 18 thread and the thread length is 3/4". Only unique thing about the screw is it is a fairly large shallow round head called a truss head. (yes I looked it up!)

Truss head, interesting. I've been calling them high crown. I second 5/16-18 x 3/4. Stamped E even Same screws are used for in-tire carrier and jack accessories springs.

This thread got me thinking, my handle may be bent, though I don't see it. It's too close the molding when I open it, IMO. The handle on my other sits further back and clears easily, but it's bent for sure. Does anyone have a close-up for a properly positioned handle, and can you describe the clearance when you open it?

[lugnut]

I should have taken a photo of my friends truck. His is original gate and handle and it clears nicely. If guess about 1/4 inch between top edge of handle and gate. I'm on the hunt for an OEM handle locally.