[ElGracho]

All I was saying is that if I needed a tailgate, I would call up my local GM parts guy and buy one. I wouldn't be paying shipping and I would pay slightly more than the prices listed at GM parts direct. Anyone can buy from them. Here's the link. The part number for an 81-87 (or through 91 on a crew cab dually...) Chevrolet Pickup tailgate is: 15628608. The price from GM parts direct is 187.98.

I didn't know it was a 73-80 tailgate since you listed it as a 73-87. They changed the bottom of the tailgate around the hinge in 1980 to make the gap wider. I assume this was to prevent bowing your tailgate if you were hauling gravel or some bulk material and got some pinched in the gap when you shut your tailgate. From the outside, the tailgates look identical, and mount the same. Unless I was doing a perfect resto on a 73-80 truck, but I would buy the 81-87 version and pay less since I wasn't shipping it from SC. Maybe your tailgate will be a great deal for someone, I'm just sharing information.