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

ChevLoRay · 01-04-2008, 04:25 PM

I would like to relocate my tailgate handle. I have seen Sir Michael's in a finished truck. I called them to ask specifically whether or not it could be used on our stock tailgates. The lady I spoke with said it could not, because the contour of the tailgate didn't jive with the mechanism.

So, I've been noticing the magazine feature trucks that have handle relocators and noting whether or not they have the stock-appearing tailgate. I have seen several, including one in the current (January, 2008) issue of Custom Classic Trucks magazine. But I find no mention of the specifics of that install.

So, anybody know the specific brand of kit that will work with our stock tailgates? I need to know for sure that the kit I buy will work. I want to retain the stock appearance, but do away with the handle.

Anybody?

bowtieboy93 · 01-04-2008, 07:39 PM

there is a sir michaels but it requires a tailgate skin

http://www.sirmichaels.com/display_part/161.php

smbrouss70 · 01-04-2008, 09:08 PM

I believe I heard someone say that the Early Classic one allows you to keep the factory indention. Give them a call.

70short · 01-04-2008, 09:38 PM

I purchased mine from MAR-K. You will have to buy A tailgate shin but they have A few different styles.

OhioDan · 01-04-2008, 10:24 PM

I purchased one from Mar-k. All I had to do was cut a hole in the backside to locate the new handle, and then patch the hole on the outside. Everything was included with the kit. Even came with easy to read and understand instructions.

70short · 01-05-2008, 06:29 AM

Good point OhioDan The main point I bought the skin was to change appearance of the tailgate.

ChevLoRay · 01-05-2008, 09:51 AM

Okay, ECE and Mar-K. Sir Michael's says it had to be skinned.....don't want to do that. It defeats the purpose of my handle relocation. Thanks, folks.

Wasted Income · 01-05-2008, 10:22 AM

You guys just need to get more creative. If you can find another tailgate to cut up, you can make a panel that matches the contour of the handle hole to patch it

Rokcrln · 01-05-2008, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wasted Income

You guys just need to get more creative. If you can find another tailgate to cut up, you can make a panel that matches the contour of the handle hole to patch it

No some companys need the skin to cover the main body of the handle that is cut into the indented space on the gate. ECE's is what I bought and I will be doing an "LFD's How-To" in the next few weeks. Theirs comes with a new handle, rods and the misc parts needed for a Skinless install.

Kevin
LFD inc.

ChevLoRay · 01-05-2008, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rokcrln

No some companys need the skin to cover the main body of the handle that is cut into the indented space on the gate. ECE's is what I bought and I will be doing an "LFD's How-To" in the next few weeks. Theirs comes with a new handle, rods and the misc parts needed for a Skinless install.

Kevin
LFD inc.

That's what I'm talking about. The blue truck has the appearance I'm after. A good metal man can bend the metal he needs to fill in the hole, without cutting up another tailgate. That is what my body guy will do, when I get the relocator kit. ECE, here I come!!

Wasted Income · 01-05-2008, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChevLoRay

That's what I'm talking about. The blue truck has the appearance I'm after. A good metal man can bend the metal he needs to fill in the hole, without cutting up another tailgate. That is what my body guy will do, when I get the relocator kit. ECE, here I come!!

Don't worry too much about it. The other tailgate was a rusty mess

Wasted Income · 01-05-2008, 11:45 AM

I will post pics of the rest of my setup when i get home from work. I think it's pretty clever

No handle required.

MAR-Ktech · 01-06-2008, 06:09 AM

Information from MAR-K's website:
"Reverse your tailgate latch to the inside of the bed. Kit includes new handle, rods, inner plate, hardware and instructions. This kit must be installed with a tailgate full cover or weld-in for best results."

C10-Driver · 01-06-2008, 04:18 PM

Here are a couple of pictures of the Mar-K kit installed in my truck with the outside of the gate filled in. As a few folks have mentioned, the kit comes complete with everything except a panel to fill the existing hole... That you will need to fabricate.

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ChevLoRay · 01-07-2008, 02:03 PM

Talked to a body man who did a Sir Michael's relocator on his '71 GMC. He put a skin on the tailgate. His is the truck that lead me to call Sir Michael's, where a lady told me I had to use a skin on the tailgate. But the body man said "no". I will give MAR-K a call on Monday. Thanks for the heads-up.

01-04-2008, 04:25 PM	#1
ChevLoRay Old Skool Club Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Benton, AR "The Heart of Arkansas" Posts: 10,880	Tailgate handle relocator question I would like to relocate my tailgate handle. I have seen Sir Michael's in a finished truck. I called them to ask specifically whether or not it could be used on our stock tailgates. The lady I spoke with said it could not, because the contour of the tailgate didn't jive with the mechanism. So, I've been noticing the magazine feature trucks that have handle relocators and noting whether or not they have the stock-appearing tailgate. I have seen several, including one in the current (January, 2008) issue of Custom Classic Trucks magazine. But I find no mention of the specifics of that install. So, anybody know the specific brand of kit that will work with our stock tailgates? I need to know for sure that the kit I buy will work. I want to retain the stock appearance, but do away with the handle. Anybody? __________________ Member Nr. 2770 '96 GMC Sportside; 4.3/SLT - Daily driven....constantly needs washed. '69 C-10 SWB; 350/TH400 - in limbo The older I get, the better I was.

01-04-2008, 07:39 PM	#2
bowtieboy93 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: (Cloverdale) Surrey BC Canada Posts: 1,566	Re: Tailgate handle relocator question there is a sir michaels but it requires a tailgate skin http://www.sirmichaels.com/display_part/161.php __________________ Travis travis_moffatt@hotmail.com 1969 Chevrolet C-10 LWB, 350c.i., TH350, In Pieces. 1991 GMC Sonoma, IROCS s10 grill 1963 Ford Galaxie 351/C4

01-04-2008, 09:08 PM	#3
smbrouss70 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Rayne, LA Posts: 2,784	Re: Tailgate handle relocator question I believe I heard someone say that the Early Classic one allows you to keep the factory indention. Give them a call. __________________ Steven "If dogs don't go to heaven, when I die I want to go wherever they went." -- Will Rogers R.I.P. Oscar R.I.P. Ratchet 1967 Pontiac GTO - Dad was the Original Owner 1970 Chevy 2wd SWB "Oscar's Truck" 1970 Chevy 2wd Blazer "Ratchet's Blazer" 2013 Chevy 2500HD Crew Cab Duramax/Allison Z71 LTZ "Brown Sugar" 2017 Chevy Suburban "BDB" 2020 Chevy Blazer Premier "Foxy" Member of Louisiana Classic Truck Club (LCTC) Shop Build

01-04-2008, 09:38 PM	#4
70short Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Boise ID Posts: 609	Re: Tailgate handle relocator question I purchased mine from MAR-K. You will have to buy A tailgate shin but they have A few different styles. __________________ "72" Red CORVETTE 4-speed 350 "70" Chevy Short Bed early stages of resto. Edel 600 cfm carb Weiand Stealth Intake HEI shorty Headers 4/2 Drop 295 50R 15 TOYO on 10 inch wide corvette rally rims at all 4 corners. "CHEVY RULES"

01-04-2008, 10:24 PM	#5
OhioDan Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: New Carlisle, Ohio,USA Posts: 1,404	Re: Tailgate handle relocator question I purchased one from Mar-k. All I had to do was cut a hole in the backside to locate the new handle, and then patch the hole on the outside. Everything was included with the kit. Even came with easy to read and understand instructions. __________________ LIFE AIN'T EASY WHEN YER FAT AND GREASY! GMC= Got More Class! 1970 GMC LWB, Fleetside, 350/4spd, Flowmaster "40's", 2002 GMC 16" Rallies, cowl hood,and added a bunch of options that weren't there when I started.

01-05-2008, 06:29 AM	#6
70short Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Boise ID Posts: 609	Re: Tailgate handle relocator question Good point OhioDan The main point I bought the skin was to change appearance of the tailgate. __________________ "72" Red CORVETTE 4-speed 350 "70" Chevy Short Bed early stages of resto. Edel 600 cfm carb Weiand Stealth Intake HEI shorty Headers 4/2 Drop 295 50R 15 TOYO on 10 inch wide corvette rally rims at all 4 corners. "CHEVY RULES"

01-05-2008, 09:51 AM	#7
ChevLoRay Old Skool Club Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Benton, AR "The Heart of Arkansas" Posts: 10,880	Re: Tailgate handle relocator question Okay, ECE and Mar-K. Sir Michael's says it had to be skinned.....don't want to do that. It defeats the purpose of my handle relocation. Thanks, folks. __________________ Member Nr. 2770 '96 GMC Sportside; 4.3/SLT - Daily driven....constantly needs washed. '69 C-10 SWB; 350/TH400 - in limbo The older I get, the better I was.

01-05-2008, 10:22 AM	#8
Wasted Income Boosted Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Mackinaw, IL Posts: 2,200	Re: Tailgate handle relocator question You guys just need to get more creative. If you can find another tailgate to cut up, you can make a panel that matches the contour of the handle hole to patch it __________________ 1972 2wd K/5 Blazer Turbocharged 370 LSx - 941 rwhp / 1093 rwtq 1969 Chevy K-10 L33 5.3 / 4L80E / NP241 / 4" lift 1964 Buick Skylark Twin TURBO 383 LS pro-touring project 2014 VW Passat TDI - Daily Driver Turbo diesel 2015 Sierra Denali HD Duramax Turbo diesel 2023 Ford Explorer ST - Twin Turbskis 2023 Ford F150 RCSB - Whipple Supercharged 2017 Polaris RZR Turbo 2014 Nor-Tech Center Console - Twin Supercharged Outboards *TURBO ALL THE THINGS!!*

01-05-2008, 11:45 AM	#12
Wasted Income Boosted Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Mackinaw, IL Posts: 2,200	Re: Tailgate handle relocator question I will post pics of the rest of my setup when i get home from work. I think it's pretty clever No handle required. __________________ 1972 2wd K/5 Blazer Turbocharged 370 LSx - 941 rwhp / 1093 rwtq 1969 Chevy K-10 L33 5.3 / 4L80E / NP241 / 4" lift 1964 Buick Skylark Twin TURBO 383 LS pro-touring project 2014 VW Passat TDI - Daily Driver Turbo diesel 2015 Sierra Denali HD Duramax Turbo diesel 2023 Ford Explorer ST - Twin Turbskis 2023 Ford F150 RCSB - Whipple Supercharged 2017 Polaris RZR Turbo 2014 Nor-Tech Center Console - Twin Supercharged Outboards *TURBO ALL THE THINGS!!*

01-06-2008, 06:09 AM	#13
MAR-Ktech Truck Parts Mfg. Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Oklahoma City, OK Posts: 697	Re: Tailgate handle relocator question Information from MAR-K's website: "Reverse your tailgate latch to the inside of the bed. Kit includes new handle, rods, inner plate, hardware and instructions. This kit must be installed with a tailgate full cover or weld-in for best results." __________________ GET MAR-K Quality! Restoration and Custom Pickup Parts for Chevy, GMC, Ford, Dodge and Custom Trucks Last edited by MAR-Ktech; 01-06-2008 at 06:11 AM.

01-06-2008, 04:18 PM	#14
C10-Driver Chevy Truck Addict Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Kelowna, BC Posts: 1,176	Re: Tailgate handle relocator question Here are a couple of pictures of the Mar-K kit installed in my truck with the outside of the gate filled in. As a few folks have mentioned, the kit comes complete with everything except a panel to fill the existing hole... That you will need to fabricate. __________________ . 1970 Chev C/10 SWB, 355 SBC, 700R4, 3.73 Posi, Air Ride (Click to view Build Thread) (SOLD) 1978 Chevy C/10 SWB 1970 Pontiac Lemans .

01-07-2008, 02:03 PM	#15
ChevLoRay Old Skool Club Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Benton, AR "The Heart of Arkansas" Posts: 10,880	Re: Tailgate handle relocator question Talked to a body man who did a Sir Michael's relocator on his '71 GMC. He put a skin on the tailgate. His is the truck that lead me to call Sir Michael's, where a lady told me I had to use a skin on the tailgate. But the body man said "no". I will give MAR-K a call on Monday. Thanks for the heads-up. __________________ Member Nr. 2770 '96 GMC Sportside; 4.3/SLT - Daily driven....constantly needs washed. '69 C-10 SWB; 350/TH400 - in limbo The older I get, the better I was.



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