Tail Gate Bumpers?

[vintovka]

The stepside tailgate fell on the bumper again while i was trying to attach the chains. This has and will continue to happen marring my newly painted gate. Since i know exactly where to put them has anyone added small rubber bumpers (like small door bumpers) to the gate?

[capnduane]

The brackets that have the slots in them are a little tweaked on my 55 2nd, so the tailgate is a friction fit when I close it up. No chance of it falling down when hooking up the chains. Not good for the bumper either? Maybe bend one of the brackets a little bit?

[Dan in Pasadena]

Originally Posted by vintovka

....This has and will continue to happen marring my newly painted gate.

Ok, I'll be the bad guy and ask the obvious: WHY will this "continue to happen"? Why not be more careful if you don't want your new paint to be marred?

[vintovka]

Originally Posted by Dan in Pasadena

Ok, I'll be the bad guy and ask the obvious: WHY will this "continue to happen"? Why not be more careful if you don't want your new paint to be marred?

One working arm. The other ruined bench pressing a tractor off my chest.

[joedoh]

pool noodle! cut a slit in it and slip it on. if you dont like the neon colors, stop by the 4x4 shop and get some roll cage foam

[vintovka]

Originally Posted by joedoh

pool noodle! cut a slit in it and slip it on. if you dont like the neon colors, stop by the 4x4 shop and get some roll cage foam

May do that. Thanks. Maybe some small hose like fuel line would work.

[joedoh]

Originally Posted by vintovka

May do that. Thanks. Maybe some small hose like fuel line would work.

i bet you are right!

[jweb]

My bumpers came off one of the Old Navy clothing store trucks. They stuck black pinch welt around the edge of the bumper to keep people from getting hurt on the metal. I think it looks good and might help.
It looks this:
http://www.rochfordsupply.com/shop/F...elt/index.html

May be able to get it at a local upholstery shop. I can take a pic of the bumper if it helps.

[vintovka]

even better!!!

[b-mac]

I love the look of the factory chains, and plan to keep mine, but I always considered doing one of those hidden, new style hinged setups too. Or even a cable. Some guys on this site have done really cool things. There might even be a kit.
I know I would hate looking at that black rubber on the edge of my bumper or tailgate. It's certainly the easy fix though...and better than scratched paint.

[mr48chev]

Would one of those door edge guards from Autozone work and be thick enough to keep the gate off the bumper. Either in black or chrome? 1 pair would probably do the tailgate twice and maybe three times so you would have spare pieces. All you need is a soft landing and no paint contact.

[jweb]

Originally Posted by b-mac

I love the look of the factory chains, and plan to keep mine, but I always considered doing one of those hidden, new style hinged setups too. Or even a cable. Some guys on this site have done really cool things. There might even be a kit.
I know I would hate looking at that black rubber on the edge of my bumper or tailgate. It's certainly the easy fix though...and better than scratched paint.

You hardly notice the pinch welt on my chrome bumpers, if you had painted bumpers it would be even better.

[vintovka]

Like the pinch weld cover the best. Have hurt hand (super sensitive since the tractor faux-pas) on the bumper edges, may use on both front and rear, steering gear hole in inner fender and the "extra" breather port for the oil cooler in the radiator apron. Going for the metal reinforced stuff.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Originally Posted by vintovka

One working arm. The other ruined bench pressing a tractor off my chest.

Ahhhhh! Apologies if you had referred to this before and I missed it. Then you have a very valid reason. HUGE kudos to you for still wanting to drive a 60+ year old vehicle with one working arm.

[vintovka]

No big deal. WHy i have power steering brakes and running boards. Right arm now is about 50% of left and tends to have a mind of its own. Used to dropping everything and usually design and plan around this small limitation. Happy and appreciative for what i have left.

[PDW HOTRODS]

GEARKEEPER RT3-4405 Flashlight Retractor,19 in. L,2-1/4 lb. G3926417

You could mount a retractable cable on one or both sides of the bed, adjusted to max before the tailgate hits the bumper. The one listed is only good for 2.25 lbs, but they make stronger ones.
I understand about the arm, I have a muscle disease and am maybe 30%, and muscles sometimes just let go.

[vintovka]

Thanks I like both the cable and pinch welt idea. The tailgate forces could easily exceed 300# especially with my less than light butt applied instantaneously. The "in the side of the gate" arms are probably is best but $$$. and requires some cutting. Health timeout may stall both.

[PDW HOTRODS]

The gearkeeper I posted was just the first one I found. They make them for heavy tools and even for holding people on construction sites. You could make your own simple setup using some cable one end bolted to the inside of the tailgate near the top corner and the other end through a hole in the top of bed side in stake pocket, put a loop in the end in the stake pocket so it can't come out of the hole and hook a spring from it to the bot inside of the stake pocket. It should pull itself back in.

[vintovka]

Thanks, great minds think alike (mine not so great). Thinking Stainless aircraft cable and hardware. FWIW use a retractable key chain affair to avoid leaving my keys in the PO BOX. These keyless ignitions have some serious downsides.

[jweb]

Originally Posted by vintovka

Thanks, great minds think alike (mine not so great). Thinking Stainless aircraft cable and hardware. FWIW use a retractable key chain affair to avoid leaving my keys in the PO BOX. These keyless ignitions have some serious downsides.

Aircraft cable might be a good option. You can get custom made cables here:
https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catal...?clickkey=4047