Tailgate - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

wydomkr · 06-19-2009, 03:11 PM

Apparently they are different in some way, what is the difference between a 73-80 and a 81-87 fleetside tailgate?

JohnC · 06-19-2009, 04:53 PM

I'm not aware of differences in the gate itself. The trim panel that goes across the middle may be a little different, and then if you have the body trim along the bottom it would be different.

I don't know 100% though so maybe someone that has more knowledge will chime in.

79gmcc15 · 06-19-2009, 05:10 PM

well according to LMC catalog, it says one has a bolt and the other has a pin that the gate sits on.

Jonboy · 06-19-2009, 05:35 PM

The design of the indention in the gate is completely different. There are some differences in the gates between 73-80 also, with the break somewhere around 75 or 75. I believe it has something to do with a tab.

wydomkr · 06-19-2009, 05:58 PM

What I can gather is there were 2 designs for the 73 to 80, changed in 76 and that is where the "bolt and stud" thing comes into play, but then they show a completely different number for the 81 to 87. Is it just a "indentation" thing so it wouldn't be correct for say a restoration, or is there a reason the older tailgate won't physically fit on the newer truck or vice versa?

*78 Chevyrado* · 06-19-2009, 06:14 PM

They have different hinge hardware. I wouldn't try to use 76-back tailgates but the 77-80 and 81-87 have different hinge hardware, but have the same hardware up top where the latch is.

Whichever tailgate you use, you will need the hinge parts that bolt to the bed, to go with the gate but the upper parts will be ok.

Keith Seymore · 06-19-2009, 08:46 PM

Aesthetically, the lettering is different, too.

The CHEVROLET is centered and evenly spaced on the early versions ('73 - '80) and "scrunched" to the right side on the later versions ('81 - '87).

I was not aware of the attachment differences so I am learning as I go.

K

wydomkr · 06-19-2009, 10:31 PM

In looking at the parts breakdown on LMC, I kinda see the difference, it's kinda a in-e, out-e thing, for lack of a better description.

Thanks for all your input.

JohnC · 06-20-2009, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wydomkr

..it's kinda a in-e, out-e thing, for lack of a better description.

Thanks for all your input.

No problem man, wish I personally had more info for ya, but hey now I have one more piece of knowledge to file away!

06-19-2009, 03:11 PM	#1
wydomkr Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Rapid City, SD Posts: 96	Tailgate Apparently they are different in some way, what is the difference between a 73-80 and a 81-87 fleetside tailgate? __________________ Keith ------------- 1980 C-10 1981 C-30

06-19-2009, 04:53 PM	#2
JohnC Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 7,461	Re: Tailgate I'm not aware of differences in the gate itself. The trim panel that goes across the middle may be a little different, and then if you have the body trim along the bottom it would be different. I don't know 100% though so maybe someone that has more knowledge will chime in.

06-19-2009, 05:10 PM	#3
79gmcc15 Gettin It One Pice At A Time Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: everett, washington Posts: 2,688	Re: Tailgate well according to LMC catalog, it says one has a bolt and the other has a pin that the gate sits on. __________________ RIP ELJAY Work In Progress 1979 GMC C1500 Trailering Special. Getting the truck done, one piece at a time. “You can tell a lot about a fellow’s character by his way of eating jellybeans.”Ronald Reagan “I don’t know the key to success but I know the key to failure is trying to please everybody.” Bill Cosby

06-19-2009, 05:35 PM	#4
Jonboy Slots go on anything! Join Date: May 2003 Location: Richardson, TX Posts: 5,957	Re: Tailgate The design of the indention in the gate is completely different. There are some differences in the gates between 73-80 also, with the break somewhere around 75 or 75. I believe it has something to do with a tab.

06-19-2009, 05:58 PM	#5
wydomkr Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Rapid City, SD Posts: 96	Re: Tailgate What I can gather is there were 2 designs for the 73 to 80, changed in 76 and that is where the "bolt and stud" thing comes into play, but then they show a completely different number for the 81 to 87. Is it just a "indentation" thing so it wouldn't be correct for say a restoration, or is there a reason the older tailgate won't physically fit on the newer truck or vice versa? __________________ Keith ------------- 1980 C-10 1981 C-30

06-19-2009, 06:14 PM	#6
78 Chevyrado Account Suspended Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Unnapreciative, Trollville Posts: 2,079	Re: Tailgate They have different hinge hardware. I wouldn't try to use 76-back tailgates but the 77-80 and 81-87 have different hinge hardware, but have the same hardware up top where the latch is. Whichever tailgate you use, you will need the hinge parts that bolt to the bed, to go with the gate but the upper parts will be ok. Last edited by 78 Chevyrado; 06-19-2009 at 06:14 PM.

06-19-2009, 08:46 PM	#7
Keith Seymore Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Motor City Posts: 9,226	Re: Tailgate Aesthetically, the lettering is different, too. The CHEVROLET is centered and evenly spaced on the early versions ('73 - '80) and "scrunched" to the right side on the later versions ('81 - '87). I was not aware of the attachment differences so I am learning as I go. K __________________ Chevrolet Flint Assembly 1979-1986 GM Full Size Truck Engineering 1986 - 2019 Intro from an Old Assembly Guy: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=342926 My Pontiac story: http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...d.php?t=560524 Chevelle intro: http://www.superchevy.com/features/s...hevy-chevelle/ Last edited by Keith Seymore; 06-19-2009 at 08:47 PM.

06-19-2009, 10:31 PM	#8
wydomkr Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Rapid City, SD Posts: 96	Re: Tailgate In looking at the parts breakdown on LMC, I kinda see the difference, it's kinda a in-e, out-e thing, for lack of a better description. Thanks for all your input. __________________ Keith ------------- 1980 C-10 1981 C-30 Last edited by wydomkr; 06-19-2009 at 10:32 PM.

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