Ideas for tailgate upgrades anyone ?

[wutnxt]

I am looking for ideas for tailgate latches/hinges/cables for my prostreet truck. But it needs to be...

1) Clean looking.......
2) Leave the tailgate looking mostly original
3) I am prepared to loose the chains.
4) Tailgate must open in a down postion
5) It's a truck so the tailgate has to be able to hold a couple of people sitting on it

So I am thinking of taking the chains off and fill the hole left,use a cable,rod,hinge,acuator or spring to let the gate down and hold the gate in place up or down.It needs to in the down postion support a couple of people and a cooler of beer....lol. So i would really like to know whats been done or whats avaliable......

[chad64chevy]

well mar-k has hinges and hidden latches! i have a picture of what there hinges look like! and mar-k is supported by this site too! they will hold a couple guys with a cooler of beer for sure!! i did the gm seatbelt latches cause i wanted to make them and be a lil different! they also have a nice tailgate whole kit i would have done it i had the money

[Turkey]

Very nice chad64chevy. I am looking into that for my next project.

[gimmy 64]

i went with the mar-k whole tailgate system. i think alan did also. expensive but not really if you price a repop tailgate they are $350 most places. the whole thing from mar-k was $500. has a nice latch inside. was easy to install. top quality and made in america.

[Woogeroo]

idears, options...

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http://www.persh.org/pickup/tailgate.htm

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http://www.wow-products.com/#

products / tail gate

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as mentioned above, MAR-K.

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good luck.

-W

[Slow Build]

Kinda funny that I never noticed the notches in the bed ends before because of the latches and chains.

An idea I'm thinking about is to put in a latch system like in the 88-98 C1500's. I'd put the handle on the inside and use cables to hold the tailgate in the down position. I don't know if it will work but I have a bad tailgate laying around that I can use as my test subject.

[tooslo60]

Just remove the tailgate, lol. It really helps with backing the truck up, you can see everything.

[1Bad62Pro/Street]

Take a gander in here:
(( 1960-1966 Chevy/GMC Pickup Truck Restoration/Modification/Customization Ideas ))
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=402277&page=2

[Clyde65]

MarK has one now for a fleet bed, it has the tailgate with high mounted brake light and the hinges too. not cheap but a very nice option.

[1966chevy]

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[contagious102]

Mark k for my tail gate, love it.

[1966chevy]

edited by administration for spamming the site.

[1966chevy]

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[Mackie]

The slickest mod I've seen is using the latch and related mechanisim from a Dodge D (or Ram) 50 with the handle mounted on the inside. The rods had to be extended and cables used for the drop down. One hand operation is a big feature IMO.

[NEWFISHER]

http://i953.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps07a90eba.jpg

Welded up the chain bar areas, Mar-K with stainless bars and inside handle. Couldn't have been happier. More pic's in my build.

[AnlaufJohn]

NEWFISHER
What part of Oregon are you in? I am in Eugene.
John

[ImpalaJim]

looks nice but the Chevrolet script just don't do it for me.

[spacedebris]

If your looking for maybe an off the wall type idea, I've been thinking of a weird one.

Starting with the tailgate closed. To open you would lift up and then pull out and lay down. Once down in the 90 degree position it would then slide under the bed and lock in place. Kind of like those trailers that have the ramps built in. Seems to me it would be possible to have a couple of locks built in so that the tailgate can be locked in various points of sliding under the bed so that you could have a place to sit on the gate.

I dont know, maybe its nuts but I think it would be unique.

[Joe Pass]

httphttp://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/data/1975/thumbs/DSCN1705.JPG://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/data/1975/DSCN1709.JPG
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...s/DSCN1704.JPG
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...5/DSCN1724.JPG

I removed chains and did cables inside

[1966chevy]

Edited by staff

[chewychevy67]

Originally Posted by 1966chevy

... Edited by staff

I recommend power coating or chrome your Trunnion hinge plate before installing these back on it. To prevent further rusting.
See my attached link if your interested in purchasing.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/171536852339...84.m1555.l2649

Are these the same measmeasurements as 67 72 fleetside trunions? I know 67 72 are welded or pressed but if yhe circumference and depth were the same i could modify mine to work with these. If you donk know do you mind sharing the weasurements? Rod.

[BigDan3131]

I think the Mar K system is based on what's on my 91 S10 so I think I would go to the junk yard and get them there or just buy cables that come on late model ford trucks then modify for use.

[1966chevy]

Edited by staff

[rustbucket66]

I don't know if you have any interest in this, as it opens differently than yours. This one has hidden latches, hidden hinges, and hidden release button with adjustable rod.

[1966chevy]

Originally Posted by rustbucket66

I don't know if you have any interest in this, as it opens differently than yours. This one has hidden latches, hidden hinges, and hidden release button with adjustable rod.

Beautiful job! I love it!