Step Side Tail Gate Latch

[jugernot]

Does anyone know which company made the latches for the step side tail gate? I want to eliminate the stock latches and chains. The latch was built into the top rail of the tail gate.

[subtle71]

You might want to send Putter a pm on that. He did that on his truck.

[5150]

I'd be interested in that also. Great Putter-RESPOND!!

[Frizzle Fry]

Here's what you're looking for http://www.classicperform.com/stealthlatch.htm

[jugernot]

Originally Posted by Frizzle Fry

Here's what you're looking for http://www.classicperform.com/stealthlatch.htm

Yes, Thats the one. Thanks Frizzle Fry.

[farside847]

two more.

http://www.pros-pick.com/hiddenlatchkits.html
http://www.mar-k.com/41-53TAILGATEWHANDLEORIGINALBS.pdf

[5150]

That first one looks good. I just wonder how hard it would be to do on a semi-finished truck.

Bryan

[jugernot]

I found this one.

http://classictrucks.com/tech/cl_0310_wow/

[Hart_Rod]

Here's some pics of mine. I used some pieces from the stealth latch, but fabbed the rest. I did this all to a factory 48 tailgate (inside the teardrop pocket).

[Hart_Rod]

More pics.

[jugernot]

Hart Rod,

I don't suppose you have step by step instructions? How did you mount the support hindges and did you have to cut the inside of the tail gate?

[larry may]

Originally Posted by Hart_Rob

More pics.

In the third pic from top . The cable clamp. Is that a Roller Rocker Nut.with a hole drilled horizontally for the cable to pass through?

[Putter]

Here is what I did.....Using Nissan Hardbody hangers....

[5150]

Putter,

What did you use to latch the tailgate up top. I see the hangers idea and like that.

[Hart_Rod]

Originally Posted by larry may

In the third pic from top . The cable clamp. Is that a Roller Rocker Nut.with a hole drilled horizontally for the cable to pass through?

No, Its a cable stop that I got, at the local hardware store.

Rob

[Hart_Rod]

Originally Posted by jugernot

Hart Rod,

I don't suppose you have step by step instructions? How did you mount the support hindges and did you have to cut the inside of the tail gate?

I don't really have a step by step. The 48-53 tailgate is a little different than the one that fits the 54-87. You can use the hangers like Putter's, you'll just have to do a little mearsuring. I welded nuts to my tailgate and to and a stud to the bed. You'll have to notch the tailgate also so the hangers will work. This was the easy part. The reversed handle inside the rolled teardrop was the hard part. I used the spring loaded latches that Putter used (you have to drill a hole in the bed end for them to go through). I made the handle out of a door hinge (local hardware store). I cut a hole in the back side of the tailgate just big enough for the handle. You could weld this in but I cut a piece of 1/2 barstock, drilled and tapped it so I could bolt my handle to it. Then I welded it inside of the hole I cut for my handle. The handle took a little while to fabricate. I have cables coming from the Stealth latches, going through eyelets welded on the handle. I have more time in this tailgate than most people have in their entire bed! About 6 months after I did this, Mar-K came out with something similar except they use a hollow tailgate (not the factory type with the rolled edge on the top and the bottom). Here are some more pictures.

Rob

[Hart_Rod]

More pics.

[Hart_Rod]

Still more pics.......

[Hart_Rod]

Last ones. I have all the parts to make another one if any one is interested.

Rob

[Boog]

Nice goin Rob.That is a clean approach to the tailgate mech. I like that so much I want to use that setup on my 69 step. I always hated those chains on my other trucks. This one is goin to be clean. You say those sliding latches and hangers are from a Nissan truck? Oh yeah, great looking '48 there.

[Hart_Rod]

Originally Posted by Boog

Nice goin Rob.That is a clean approach to the tailgate mech. I like that so much I want to use that setup on my 69 step. I always hated those chains on my other trucks. This one is goin to be clean. You say those sliding latches and hangers are from a Nissan truck? Oh yeah, great looking '48 there.

Boog,

Sliding latches are from CPP, they list them as stealth latches. Hangers or scissors to hold the tailgate up are from Nissan (I'm not sure what year).

Thanks for the compliment.

Rob

[Jonce]

Any ideas how this would work if you have a hard fiberglass tonneau cover?