Crossbreed

[stangtjk]

More sound deadener and started putting the inner bedsides back in. No one will ever know it's there..... Unless they go tapping around and notice it sounds different.

[K5 MAX]

looking great, what brand sound deadener is that?

[stangtjk]

Noico 80 mil black

[stangtjk]

Started putting the front clip back on today.... Wasn't quite ready for it but I'm getting ready to move so figured I'd start throwing it back together to prepare for transport. Doesn't look much different from the picture back in February but it did get some new door skins since then and some other minor tweaks. It's about to that point that I need to decide what color to paint it. Not much else to do other than paint and reassembly.

[jeffg1010]

Tuned in!

[K5 MAX]

Looking good

[stangtjk]

Resurrecting this build. Been busy with remodeling a house and haven't had time for it over the past year.

Not done with the house but needed a break so I started messing around with the tailgate.

Installed one of those assisted dampers from a 2014-19 truck. It wouldn't fit behind the hinge so I made a pocket in the side of the tailgate. Took a lot of tinkering but it works. Here is a 3 second clip of it in action. soft open tailgate

Next I'll be installing the torsion bar lift assist.

[chewychevy67]

That is slick. So is the gate electric now? I Didn't see anyone opening it. What vehicle is the set up from? Gm truck?

[stangtjk]

Originally Posted by chewychevy67

So is the gate electric now? I Didn't see anyone opening it. What vehicle is the set up from? Gm truck?

Not electric. I was just holding the tailgate at the corner and let go. The damper came from the 14-19 gm trucks however they are not installed in the tailgate as I have done.

On the new trucks the damper in the bedside under the tail light and the shaft goes through the hinge. Wouldn't work that way on the 67-72 trucks because the damper would hit the twilight housing. I had to modify the 67-72 hinge by welding a socket in the center. Then cut down the shaft that came from the 14-19 hinge and ground a hex on it to fit in the socket.

[Husker]

Nice work stantjk
Ron

[chewychevy67]

Wow I love that. I may look into doing that. Did you do it on both trunions or just 1 side?

[stangtjk]

Passenger side only. The damper only provides resistance in one direction so it won't work on the driver's side. I'm also installing the lift assist torsion spring inside the tailgate which will interface with a modified trunion on the driver's side.

[chewychevy67]

I was researching this tonight. Can't find much on the easy lift part. Post pictures when you get to it. I am interested in these mods.

[stangtjk]

This is the lift assist torsion rod setup. I believe it came from the 07-14 gm trucks. I drilled a hole in the tailgate for it to slide into but should probably place a bushing in there. Also modified the trunnion. I still need to fabricate a block to hold the opposite end inside the tailgate. I'll probably make it so it slides into the pocket I cut out for the damper then plug weld it in place from the bottom of the tailgate.

[stangtjk]

Been a while but I finally got around to putting the torsion spring in the tailgate. Made the tailgate open softer and took a little load off closing it up. For the block that holds the end of the torsion spring I just took a thick chunk of metal and cut it to shape with a portable band saw. Made the half moon hole by cutting the block in half and filing a notch in one side then welding it back together. See it in action here link

I still need to adjust the hinges and strikers but it worked pretty good.

[litebulblsc]

That is pretty slick

[Thealien]

If you could come up with a "kit" I bet it would sell?

[stangtjk]

A kit would be doable but with all the parts and modifications it would probably cost more than most would be willing to spend. Probably close to $200 in parts, couple hours to modify and it's not a direct bolt on so whoever buys it would have to be willing to cut into their tailgate.

[chewychevy67]

Ive been looking for the torsion rod parts new but I can't seem to find them. I am definitely going to do that to mod to my gate as well. I'll have to go to the wrecker in spring. I'll bet I'll have to buy a full tailgate thougb

[stangtjk]

All parts are available new. Below are the parts I used.

GM part #s
25889654 (torsion rod)
23115812 (damper)
23439650 (right side hinge)
15192282 (left side hinge)

[chewychevy67]

I will look those up. Thanks for that

[cornerstone]

Now that's using yer noggin. Hard work but super cool upgrade. I remember anytime someone other than myself would open my tailgate and I'd hear that slam it'd make me cringe. I know it can handle it but why be so hard on it?
Very cool!

[kehstr]

Did you have to wind the torsion bar or dampener up so it would work properly?
And did you end up using a bushing? If so what style?
Definetely doing this!

[Last_Paladin]

Thanks for the tail gate idea.

[chewychevy67]

Anything new lately?