67-72 tailgate pics needed
 

Ok guys, went to put the handle and latches in the new painted gate and ran into a snag! I noticed that the little angled part of the latch was opposite on one from the other! I did not see markings so im scratching my head wondering if it matters! I dont want to chip paint fighting it if it does! I would like a pic of both sides installed please! Also has anyone had to space the handle to get it to operate without dragging? Im questioning the repop gate!

Re: 67-72 tailgate pics needed
 

I'm not sure i follow you correctly. Here's my best guess.
Last month I installed new latches and re assembled the handle and latch rods.
So the angled part of the latch hits the bedside strike short point of the angle first. If one side is not that way then it was installed backward.
If I remember right the rods are not right or left handed and can be used on either side.
On one side the rod goes in the bottom of the latch first and on the other it goes on the top of the latch first, does that make sense?
Kind hard to explain without pics which I don't have unfortunately. I can take some tomorrow if someone doesn't follow up with some first.
Feel free to Pm
On a side note. My tailgate was original but my bedsides were repop. My tailgate was loose in the hinges with right to left lateral movement. So if I wasnt careful the tailgate would hit edge of bedside.
I used stainless steel fender washers inside the hinge cup on the bedside part to eliminate that play on each side. Worked really well
Mark

Re: 67-72 tailgate pics needed
 

Yes sir just looking at the latch I would asume that the taper would hit the latch reciptical first. Biut if you look at the latch it has two corners cut off and only bolts to the gate one way. The problem is that one of my latches is opposite of the other, which i find strange. The rods look the same. With that said I pulled these from an original doner gateband sent them to paint. My thought was that some where down the road someone fooled with the latch. But i looked at the latch and I dont see an easy way to take it appart and remove it. Furthermore I found and image on the net of a new replacement that is the same direction. This made me think it was a detail i took for granted and over looked! So i wanted pics of others to seebif that was the case!

Re: 67-72 tailgate pics needed
 

No one can snap a picture of their latches? I have one like the one pictured and on the other the taper points towards the side with the corners trimmed down!

Re: 67-72 tailgate pics needed
 

Here is a pic

Re: 67-72 tailgate pics needed
 

Those are all the same🤔 im kinda looking for pics of them actually installed on a truck! I appreciate you! My question is why do i have one opposite! And to my knowledge that would require one to cut it appart, turn it around and re weld it! My mind is blown!

Re: 67-72 tailgate pics needed
 

I can get a pic of them installed....

Re: 67-72 tailgate pics needed
 

Just out of curiosity Randy is the other side the same direction. My pass side looks just like that but when i bolt up the driver's side (they only fit one way) the taper points the opposite direction

Re: 67-72 tailgate pics needed
 

Post #3 in this link should answer your question.

Re: 67-72 tailgate pics needed
 

Yes it does! The question is ........ WHY????? Would someone go through the trouble to reverse it???? Im baffled! Sux to caus its painted!!!! 😠😠😠

Re: 67-72 tailgate pics needed
 

You mentioned that you "went to put on the handle and latches"....are you simply installing the latch upside down? If you rotate it 180 degrees, does that solve the problem? I'm guessing there is more involved that I am not understanding.

Re: 67-72 tailgate pics needed
 

Yeah, they're not left or right specific, if you turn it around it should be correct. It is possible someone took it apart and put it back together wrong... but why?

They act just like a door latch on your house, the tapered end always faces the striker. If it was the opposite way the latch would just slam on the striker and nothing would happen and your gate wouldn't close.

Re: 67-72 tailgate pics needed
 

Well the corners are trimmed so it will clear the bodyline of the gate. I might get away with trimming a corner and flipping it over. Its a no go without a trim tho!

Re: 67-72 tailgate pics needed
 

Now you've got me curious. I'll have to check mine when I get home, I could have sworn they were not L/R specific.

Re: 67-72 tailgate pics needed
 

They are not, but since mine has been jacked with, it needs trimmed!

Re: 67-72 tailgate pics needed
 

I have 2 gates off the truck, one on the truck and 4 latches, they are all the same, yours must have been assembled wrong at the factory?

Re: 67-72 tailgate pics needed
 

Yup, just my luck😞 im hoping i can tape it off and trim a corner enough to fit!

Re: 67-72 tailgate pics needed
 

Now I follow you. The angle wasn't on the latch but rather that latch plate.
Urgh. That is annoying!
Mark

Re: 67-72 tailgate pics needed
 

Sometimes you have to improvise 🙄

Looks like a nice fit. Who makes the tailgate? Where did u get it from?
I've read that the repop gates are thin gauge and u can't sit on them. This true? What's your overall vibe on them.
Thanks. Mark.
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Re: 67-72 tailgate pics needed
 

Feels thinner! Im 180 lbs, i stood on mine! But definitely thinner feeling! For show they work fine