Best source for tailgate parts?

[79vette]

I need to get a new sash and new felt tracks for the tailgate in my M1009. Is there a better option than LMC? I havent had the best luck with their parts in the past (dash pad), and want to get something that fits.

I definitely need the metal sash that holds the glass, and the rubber insert for it. And a set of the vertical tracks with the felt in them.

I'd also like to do the rubber wiper seals where the glass comes out of the tailgate, the seal in the fiberglass shell that the window goes up into, and all the shell to cab and shell to bedside seals. Its looking like LMC is going to run $470 + shipping for the lot, which is about double what I was expecting. I guess you gotta pay to play...










Also, the tailgate to bedside gap has never been right. Its about twice as big on the passenger side, and the tailgate latch on that side does not work properly (sometimes sticks and wont let the tailgate close). Is it possible the shell is improperly installed and is splaying the bedsides apart? Any other reason for the gaps to be out like this? I dont see any way to adjust the tailgate side to side, and even if I could I think the driver side gap is about right where it is...

[Dead Parrot]

I was happy with the door seals and window track felt I got from Steele Rubber. As for prices, possible they are still under the influence of Covid related supply issues.

[79vette]

I've had good luck with seals from Precision, and it turns out they sell just the felt for the tracks. $40 for a set of 2 instead of buying new tracks at $50 each side from LMC. So I ordered all the rubber seals from a Precision reseller on eBay, and just paid the gold price for the new sash from LMC since I could not find it anywhere else.

I'll post back when the parts arrive with some photos and my opinion of the quality. Hopefully this helps someone in the future.

[79vette]

Ok, as a follow up I got all the new tailgate seals installed. Overall I am happy with the quality of the Precision seals, and they all seem to fit properly and are well made. The glass channel liners are part number GRP 1130 76, and at $40 were a much better deal than $100+ for new brackets from LMC.

The "beltline" seals at the top of the tailgate come in a kit, part number WFK 1131 73. The seal that goes around the fiberglass shell is GRB 1110 76. All installed easily and seem to match the worn seals I removed.






However, I am still having problems with the window operation. It went up and down smoothly before I installed the felt seals into the top of the tailgate, but now it is hard to roll up almost like it is binding against the felt.

Also when rolling the window down, the glass pulls out of the sash so the glass stays there pinched in the weatherstrips and the regulator and sash move down. Is it supposed to be glued in? LMC sells a little rubber strip they call the "GLASS SETTING RUBBER", which I guess wraps around the glass and presses into the sash. But it is very loose and I dont see how that could ever hold the window in place, and it definitely does not on my truck. It seems like you could bond the glass into the sash with windshield adhesive, but I dont know how you would ever get it out again if you did that. Though what was left of my old rusty sash was definitely glued to the glass with some sort of adhesive.

Can anyone confirm if this the correct way to install the sash? I dont think I have it backwards, but cant figure what else would cause the glass to bind when raised up.