How to install tailgate on 71 Chevy - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**71CHEVYSHORTBED402** · 01-19-2015, 02:49 PM

You can't do it with both bottom hinges mounted, so at least one needs to be loose it seems. Even then I can't slide the loose one in. What's the secret?

**71CHEVYSHORTBED402** · 01-19-2015, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 71CHEVYSHORTBED402

You can't do it with both hinges mounted, so at least one needs to be loose it seems. Even then I can't slide the loose one in. What's the secret?

Got it. I ended up taking all four hinges off and the rubber bumpers. Inserted the bottom hinges loose into the tailgate, slid it in from the top more or less, then adjusted and mounted the hinges.

Other than very carefully, I wonder how you do this with nice paint job, without scratching the truck up? Seems you could coat susceptible areas with Vaseline.

sboris · 01-19-2015, 03:49 PM

I taped the Sh t out of mine. Basically mounted the same way, one hinge mounted, slid the other down with the gate. Lots of tape...

**71CHEVYSHORTBED402** · 01-19-2015, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sboris

I taped the Sh t out of mine. Basically mounted the same way, one hinge mounted, slid the other down with the gate. Lots of tape...

That's a good idea. Maybe tape and Vaseline, so it doesn't dig through the tape.

**michael bustamante** · 01-19-2015, 04:36 PM

i always wondered that myself. sliding that whole thing down scratched the heck out of my old paint

cigar- · 01-20-2015, 08:08 PM

And that's why I have a beater !!

hugger6933 · 01-20-2015, 09:36 PM

Doesn't it come out/go in about halfway up the side of the bed? That is the way I remember the tear down going on some of mine but that has been way too long ago. Man I wish I could work on my trucks. To the guys that are making progress on your iron I am so happy for you and jealous of you. Jim

hugger6933 · 01-20-2015, 09:39 PM

Doesn't it come out/go in about halfway up the side of the bed? With both side of the trunoins on I mean. That is the way I remember the tear down going on some of mine but that has been way too long ago. Man I wish I could work on my trucks. To the guys that are making progress on your iron I am so happy for you and jealous of you. Jim

hugger6933 · 01-20-2015, 09:42 PM

Doesn't it come out/go in about halfway up the side of the bed? With both side of the trunoins on I mean. That is the way I remember the tear down going on some of mine but that has been way too long ago. Man I wish I could work on my trucks. To the guys that are making progress on your iron I am so happy for you and jealous of you. Jim

**71CHEVYSHORTBED402** · 02-15-2015, 11:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hugger6933

Doesn't it come out/go in about halfway up the side of the bed? With both side of the trunoins on I mean. That is the way I remember the tear down going on some of mine but that has been way too long ago. Man I wish I could work on my trucks. To the guys that are making progress on your iron I am so happy for you and jealous of you. Jim

I thought so too. It was just the wife and I, so not much lift, but it seemed the only way was to do what I did. I may have missed something.

01-19-2015, 02:49 PM	#1
71CHEVYSHORTBED402 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern Nevada Posts: 7,322	How to install tailgate on 71 Chevy You can't do it with both bottom hinges mounted, so at least one needs to be loose it seems. Even then I can't slide the loose one in. What's the secret? Last edited by 71CHEVYSHORTBED402; 01-19-2015 at 03:17 PM.

01-19-2015, 03:49 PM	#3
sboris Registered User Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Osceola, Ia Posts: 2,017	Re: How to install tailgate on 71 Chevy I taped the Sh t out of mine. Basically mounted the same way, one hinge mounted, slid the other down with the gate. Lots of tape... __________________ Shawn 68 chevy K/20 05 chevy 3/4 4x4 71 short step-sold 71 chevy Beauville van My build. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=633039

01-19-2015, 04:36 PM	#5
michael bustamante Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Albuquerque NM Posts: 7,862	Re: How to install tailgate on 71 Chevy i always wondered that myself. sliding that whole thing down scratched the heck out of my old paint __________________ 1967custom

01-20-2015, 08:08 PM	#6
cigar- Registered User Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Smith, NV Posts: 110	Re: How to install tailgate on 71 Chevy And that's why I have a beater !!

01-20-2015, 09:36 PM	#7
hugger6933 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Marianna Arkansas Posts: 7,280	Re: How to install tailgate on 71 Chevy Doesn't it come out/go in about halfway up the side of the bed? That is the way I remember the tear down going on some of mine but that has been way too long ago. Man I wish I could work on my trucks. To the guys that are making progress on your iron I am so happy for you and jealous of you. Jim

01-20-2015, 09:39 PM	#8
hugger6933 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Marianna Arkansas Posts: 7,280	Re: How to install tailgate on 71 Chevy Doesn't it come out/go in about halfway up the side of the bed? With both side of the trunoins on I mean. That is the way I remember the tear down going on some of mine but that has been way too long ago. Man I wish I could work on my trucks. To the guys that are making progress on your iron I am so happy for you and jealous of you. Jim

01-20-2015, 09:42 PM	#9
hugger6933 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Marianna Arkansas Posts: 7,280	Re: How to install tailgate on 71 Chevy Doesn't it come out/go in about halfway up the side of the bed? With both side of the trunoins on I mean. That is the way I remember the tear down going on some of mine but that has been way too long ago. Man I wish I could work on my trucks. To the guys that are making progress on your iron I am so happy for you and jealous of you. Jim



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