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

Ecartman84 · 12-29-2008, 02:21 PM

I was wondering if any tailgate from 73-87 will fit my truck, it is a 1986 1/2 ton Custom Deluxe? Are they all interchangeable?

ont_guy_38 · 12-29-2008, 03:21 PM

better off to get one from in the 81-87 range.

Ecartman84 · 12-29-2008, 03:32 PM

So, does that mean the the earlier ones are different and will not bolt up to the newer trucks? Because I like the way the earlier ones look better... Thanks for your help

Ecartman84 · 12-30-2008, 04:44 PM

Has no one really ever wanted to put one of the earlier tailgates on the later truck?

jb4short · 12-30-2008, 04:55 PM

I think that if you just measure the mounts for the trunions, latches, hinges and guides that if they're in the same locations you'd be OK. You'd definately need to change some things to use a '73-'76 but the '77-'80 might be good.

jrsmith_2010 · 12-30-2008, 05:01 PM

yea they it will work, u just need to change the hinges from the new to the old, ive had all kinds on my 79, it all lines up the way it would and latches the way it should

willett · 12-30-2008, 05:17 PM

the pivot on older gates are different than on the newer ones.

i tried slapping a post '78 on my '78 and no dice man

i don't know what year the other gate was though

Walts_restoration · 12-30-2008, 05:49 PM

73-74, 75-76, and then 77+newer i beleive, i dont have many 80s trucks, but ive got quite a few 73-80s. 73-74 didnt have the quick release i beleive, the 75-76 did have a quick release, but similar hatch, then 77+newer are a different ball game. My father knows more about the years, ill confirm them with him when he gets off work, but i know 73-74 and 75-76.

Ecartman84 · 12-30-2008, 06:48 PM

Thanks for all the input guys

**thinair** · 12-31-2008, 02:10 AM

older tailgates have "posts" that stick out of them and go into the boxside for support I guess,newer sides don't have the holes for them

Ecartman84 · 12-31-2008, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thinair

older tailgates have "posts" that stick out of them and go into the boxside for support I guess,newer sides don't have the holes for them

hmm that is interesting....

bigblock73 · 12-31-2008, 05:50 PM

thinair is correct, the earlier gates can only be used on earlier beds because of the "post" at the top. I believe when it comes to mounting tailgates, there are 3 variations. 73-76, 77-80, and 81+. There are other differences style-wise, but I won't go into those as that is not the question being posted. Below is a pic of two 73-80 tailgates. The white one is a 73-76 and the teal one is a 77-80. You can see the post on the white one at the top of the gate, there are rectangular holes in the top of the bed for these TG's, that the "post" protrude into. I also included a pic of a 73-76 bed to show tose rectangular openings I referred to.

joe231 · 12-31-2008, 06:08 PM

what is the difference between the '77-'80 and the '81-up

bigblock73 · 12-31-2008, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joe231

what is the difference between the '77-'80 and the '81-up

They look completely different on the outside (recessed portion and "chevrolet" or "GMC" location changed), and the mounting hardware (mainly the trunions) is also different. Here is a pic of an 81+ gate for comparison.

Ecartman84 · 01-01-2009, 03:08 PM

Ahhh ok, so if the 73-76 ones have that thing at the top that prevents you from using it on the later trucks, Would it be possible to take the 77-80 and bolt it to a 81+ if you use the original hardware from the 77-80? This would pretty much accomplish what i wanted. I wanted the tailgate with the large chevrolet letters centered on the gate instead of off to the side. Also I don't mean to back track but, could you grind off that thing on the top of the 73-76 gate and use the hardware from the 77-80 to make it then fit the later trucks?
Thanks for all the help

By the way dude, you are the god of tailgate knowledge

Ecartman84 · 01-01-2009, 03:12 PM

Pretty much my problem was the fact that i bought my truck and it had no tailgate or hardware, so i had nothing to compare, all the pics really help mang... could you post pics if it is not too much trouble of the sides of the 80+ tailgates

Thanks

bigblock73 · 01-01-2009, 05:46 PM

You should be able to bolt a 77-80 gate on your 81+ truck if you use all the 77-80 hardware.

Here is a side shot of an 81+ gate.

Ecartman84 · 01-01-2009, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigblock73

You should be able to bolt a 77-80 gate on your 81+ truck if you use all the 77-80 hardware.

Here is a side shot of an 81+ gate.

Thanks for your help

bigblock73 · 01-01-2009, 11:32 PM

No sweat. Welcome to the site by the way.

joe231 · 01-02-2009, 02:19 AM

thanks Jeff!!
EXCELLENT INFO!

12-29-2008, 02:21 PM	#1
Ecartman84 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Eugene Oregon Posts: 18	Tailgate Question I was wondering if any tailgate from 73-87 will fit my truck, it is a 1986 1/2 ton Custom Deluxe? Are they all interchangeable?

12-29-2008, 03:21 PM	#2
ont_guy_38 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Ontario Canada Posts: 1,006	Re: Tailgate Question better off to get one from in the 81-87 range.

12-29-2008, 03:32 PM	#3
Ecartman84 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Eugene Oregon Posts: 18	Re: Tailgate Question So, does that mean the the earlier ones are different and will not bolt up to the newer trucks? Because I like the way the earlier ones look better... Thanks for your help

12-30-2008, 04:44 PM	#4
Ecartman84 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Eugene Oregon Posts: 18	Re: Tailgate Question Has no one really ever wanted to put one of the earlier tailgates on the later truck?

12-30-2008, 04:55 PM	#5
jb4short Damn Yankee Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Lynchburg, VA Posts: 2,261	Re: Tailgate Question I think that if you just measure the mounts for the trunions, latches, hinges and guides that if they're in the same locations you'd be OK. You'd definately need to change some things to use a '73-'76 but the '77-'80 might be good.

12-30-2008, 05:01 PM	#6
jrsmith_2010 I like turtles... Join Date: May 2008 Location: Kansas Posts: 993	Re: Tailgate Question yea they it will work, u just need to change the hinges from the new to the old, ive had all kinds on my 79, it all lines up the way it would and latches the way it should __________________ 1979 Silverado- lowered 5/7, 20 inch Boss rims, everything shaved, caddy lights, billet interior, UP FOR SALE! 1983 Scottsdale-on the back burner...SOLD!!! 1992 Silverado- extended cab, stock for now, but no promises SOLD!!! 2006 Chevy Cobalt-college car, staying stock Whatever can't get fixed with a hammer, a roll of duct tape, a clothes hanger, a tube of glue, and a case of beer, can wait until tomorrow.

12-30-2008, 05:17 PM	#7
willett Another Day, Another Dollar Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: North Vancouver, BC Posts: 1,316	Re: Tailgate Question the pivot on older gates are different than on the newer ones. i tried slapping a post '78 on my '78 and no dice man i don't know what year the other gate was though __________________ -78 K20 Cheyenne 454 long box, 4" lift, 35" MT's, '84 cab, '80 box "its hip to be square"

12-30-2008, 05:49 PM	#8
Walts_restoration Real Projects never die Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Lawrence, kansas Posts: 1,508	Re: Tailgate Question 73-74, 75-76, and then 77+newer i beleive, i dont have many 80s trucks, but ive got quite a few 73-80s. 73-74 didnt have the quick release i beleive, the 75-76 did have a quick release, but similar hatch, then 77+newer are a different ball game. My father knows more about the years, ill confirm them with him when he gets off work, but i know 73-74 and 75-76. __________________ Ill put it this way, ive got a few lawn ornaments My name tag says Ryan KansasTwister On other forums

12-30-2008, 06:48 PM	#9
Ecartman84 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Eugene Oregon Posts: 18	Re: Tailgate Question Thanks for all the input guys

12-31-2008, 02:10 AM	#10
thinair thinair Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: omaha,ne Posts: 1,002	Re: Tailgate Question older tailgates have "posts" that stick out of them and go into the boxside for support I guess,newer sides don't have the holes for them

12-31-2008, 05:50 PM	#12
bigblock73 yeller Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Twin Cities Posts: 13,826	Re: Tailgate Question thinair is correct, the earlier gates can only be used on earlier beds because of the "post" at the top. I believe when it comes to mounting tailgates, there are 3 variations. 73-76, 77-80, and 81+. There are other differences style-wise, but I won't go into those as that is not the question being posted. Below is a pic of two 73-80 tailgates. The white one is a 73-76 and the teal one is a 77-80. You can see the post on the white one at the top of the gate, there are rectangular holes in the top of the bed for these TG's, that the "post" protrude into. I also included a pic of a 73-76 bed to show tose rectangular openings I referred to. Attached Images __________________ Jeff 73-87.com 73-87.com Facebook page 73-87 cab corner 6x9 speaker brackets for sale 67-72 cab corner speaker brackets for sale 47-54 cab corner speaker brackets for sale

12-31-2008, 06:08 PM	#13
joe231 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Palmer, Alaska Posts: 13,821	Re: Tailgate Question what is the difference between the '77-'80 and the '81-up __________________ *CHEVY ONLY*

01-01-2009, 03:08 PM	#15
Ecartman84 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Eugene Oregon Posts: 18	Re: Tailgate Question Ahhh ok, so if the 73-76 ones have that thing at the top that prevents you from using it on the later trucks, Would it be possible to take the 77-80 and bolt it to a 81+ if you use the original hardware from the 77-80? This would pretty much accomplish what i wanted. I wanted the tailgate with the large chevrolet letters centered on the gate instead of off to the side. Also I don't mean to back track but, could you grind off that thing on the top of the 73-76 gate and use the hardware from the 77-80 to make it then fit the later trucks? Thanks for all the help By the way dude, you are the god of tailgate knowledge

01-01-2009, 03:12 PM	#16
Ecartman84 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Eugene Oregon Posts: 18	Re: Tailgate Question Pretty much my problem was the fact that i bought my truck and it had no tailgate or hardware, so i had nothing to compare, all the pics really help mang... could you post pics if it is not too much trouble of the sides of the 80+ tailgates Thanks

01-01-2009, 05:46 PM	#17
bigblock73 yeller Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Twin Cities Posts: 13,826	Re: Tailgate Question You should be able to bolt a 77-80 gate on your 81+ truck if you use all the 77-80 hardware. Here is a side shot of an 81+ gate. Attached Images __________________ Jeff 73-87.com 73-87.com Facebook page 73-87 cab corner 6x9 speaker brackets for sale 67-72 cab corner speaker brackets for sale 47-54 cab corner speaker brackets for sale Last edited by bigblock73; 01-01-2009 at 05:48 PM.



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01-01-2009, 11:32 PM	#19
bigblock73 yeller Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Twin Cities Posts: 13,826	Re: Tailgate Question No sweat. Welcome to the site by the way. __________________ Jeff 73-87.com 73-87.com Facebook page 73-87 cab corner 6x9 speaker brackets for sale 67-72 cab corner speaker brackets for sale 47-54 cab corner speaker brackets for sale

01-02-2009, 02:19 AM	#20
joe231 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Palmer, Alaska Posts: 13,821	Re: Tailgate Question thanks Jeff!! EXCELLENT INFO! __________________ *CHEVY ONLY*

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