Tailgate swapping questions

[kxmotox247]

Let me begin by saying that imported repro tailgates suck. Years of loading dirtbikes in and out of it left me with the ugliest most bowed out tailgate anyone has ever seen. I won't scar you guys with a picture.

Well... last night I stuck a different tailgate on the back of my 68'.
I picked up an original for $20 at a swapmeet! It's not bowed at all. It has very little rusting at the bottom. It has a few small dings but those should work out.

Anyway, here are my questions:
1) My bedsides are leaning inwards at the top so my tailgate rubs the bed as it closes. I know the problem there is my bed. How do I fix this? Should I get a cargo bar to spread the bed out? I want the permanant solution.
2) The new tailgate latch/handle is stiff and hard to pull. How can I make it open easier? How do I grease the latch? Does anyone have an exploded diagram of a tailgate mechanism? It has to operate smoother than this.

Thanks in advance!
Josh

[kingparts]

I will agree that a certain brand of tailgates do suck. But the tailgates that the vendors on the board(For the ones I know where they get them from) are of great quality. That would be the ones from Fit-Rite(triplus) or Goodmark. I have seen the ones that will bow if it rains real hard on them.LOL I sold a tailgate to a member of this board and three 200 lb men sat on them with no problem and he also carrys loads of steel and wood and the tailgate still looks great. My .02
David

[CPNE]

The tailgate latch is easy.

1. Unbolt latch assembly to lower it enough to gain access to the latch actuating rods.
2. Push latch actuating rods out of the holes in the latch mechanism. These are held in by a special fastener. If your mechanism is not rusty the fastener should come out intact and be suitable for use during reassembly. This will free up latch for removal.
3. Unbolt latch catches from tailgate sides. This will allow you to pull catch and rod out. Make note of how the rod is installed for reassembly, or do one side at a time.
4. Clean and lubricate everything and reinstall in reverse order.

Can't help with bedsides, sorry

[kxmotox247]

Yep, I've heard the Goodmark ones are good.

So, loosen or remove the 3 bolts from the backside of the tailgate. Then I should be able to remove the rods going to each latch? This will be under the handle?

Thanks.

[CPNE]

you got it.

[kxmotox247]

Well...I took it all apart last night. Greased everything up.
It works great! The springs on the ends are some strong mofo's. They almost feel too strong.
Thanks for the help CPNE and kingparts!!!

[jayssunm]

Which tailgates from Goodmark are good? They have the basic no lettering and then the ones that claim to be reproduction parts with lettering the difference is about $100.

I would like a new gate but the last one I ordered after UPS got done with it looked worse than the original tailgate.

[kxmotox247]

I've heard that the ones with lettering are the good ones. I've never seen one but that's what I've heard.

[SWINGSAX68]

Dudes...there is areal straight looking tailgate, like redish-orange color at this salvage yard In San Antonio. the paint is in great shape, no dents trim good too...with the lettering.....sorry I know it's alittle ways away...

[kxmotox247]

I wonder if that yard ships? If it's straight, I'll buy it! Do you have a phone number for the place?