Tailgate bands.....need some info - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Chevy3+3 · 03-06-2014, 10:51 AM

I have an 88 square and in search of the center tailgate band. My current tailgate was removed from a 78 C10. Its color matches my truck perfectly and is in great shape but would like to have the original tailgate trim.

So my question is...How does the trim piece attach? And will a blazer tailgate trim piece interchange with a pickup model tailgate?

Thanks for any replies

bluex · 03-06-2014, 12:57 PM

The trim pieces attach with screws through the gate. newer ones use a torx head an older are phillips.

The shape of the center of the gate changed slighty in 81. There are two types of trim for the 73-80 gates. A smaller one that goes in the center an a larger one that flattens it off. They attach the same way though.

You can use a blazer one but i believe it needs to be 73-80 as well to match your tailgate. You will have to flip the handle to the inside though since the blazer trim doesnt have the relief for the handle...

bluex · 03-06-2014, 01:05 PM

Here are the two styles.

I hope that helps...

Chevy3+3 · 03-06-2014, 04:47 PM

So....if the tailgates changed slightly in 81 will the wide tailgate trim fit a 78' tailgate?

TheBlueBomber · 03-06-2014, 06:04 PM

All the tailgates are the same. It's just a matter of mounting the trim piece.

TheBlueBomber · 03-06-2014, 06:09 PM

As I was... misread the question. The tailgate band area did change.

Chevy3+3 · 03-06-2014, 08:10 PM

So the tailgates are the same but the recessed band area is different? So a wide panel trim wont fit on my 78 tailgate?

**1774btcrew** · 03-06-2014, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chevy3+3

So the tailgates are the same but the recessed band area is different? So a wide panel trim wont fit on my 78 tailgate?

If I remember correctly, you should be able to get the 81-87 tailgate band to fit your earlier tailgate. I had a 81-87 tailgate on my 77 and the 77 wide band was about 1/2" too small. So the wider 81-87 band shouldn't have a problem fitting your tailgate.

Chevy3+3 · 03-07-2014, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1774btcrew

If I remember correctly, you should be able to get the 81-87 tailgate band to fit your earlier tailgate. I had a 81-87 tailgate on my 77 and the 77 wide band was about 1/2" too small. So the wider 81-87 band shouldn't have a problem fitting your tailgate.

Could you explain in what area the tailgate band was 1/2" to small? Length, width, etc.

Thanks

**1774btcrew** · 03-07-2014, 11:17 AM

The earlier bands are roughly 1/2" narrower from top to bottom.

**N2TRUX** · 03-07-2014, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluex

Here are the two styles.

I hope that helps...

For reference. the wide band was Silverado trim, and the narrow band was Cheyenne trim.

03-06-2014, 10:51 AM	#1
Chevy3+3 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Winfield KS Posts: 489	Tailgate bands.....need some info I have an 88 square and in search of the center tailgate band. My current tailgate was removed from a 78 C10. Its color matches my truck perfectly and is in great shape but would like to have the original tailgate trim. So my question is...How does the trim piece attach? And will a blazer tailgate trim piece interchange with a pickup model tailgate? Thanks for any replies

03-06-2014, 12:57 PM	#2
bluex Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Spartanburg, SC Posts: 1,963	Re: Tailgate bands.....need some info The trim pieces attach with screws through the gate. newer ones use a torx head an older are phillips. The shape of the center of the gate changed slighty in 81. There are two types of trim for the 73-80 gates. A smaller one that goes in the center an a larger one that flattens it off. They attach the same way though. You can use a blazer one but i believe it needs to be 73-80 as well to match your tailgate. You will have to flip the handle to the inside though since the blazer trim doesnt have the relief for the handle... __________________ Paul '78 GMC Serria 15 Heavy Half. 361/NV3500/3.73. Former LWB NV3500 swap Trailing arm swap '98 ECSB Z71 daily driver -traded '03 burb. Family cruiser http://upstategmtrucks.com/ Last edited by bluex; 03-06-2014 at 01:18 PM.

03-06-2014, 01:05 PM	#3
bluex Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Spartanburg, SC Posts: 1,963	Re: Tailgate bands.....need some info Here are the two styles. I hope that helps... __________________ Paul '78 GMC Serria 15 Heavy Half. 361/NV3500/3.73. Former LWB NV3500 swap Trailing arm swap '98 ECSB Z71 daily driver -traded '03 burb. Family cruiser http://upstategmtrucks.com/

03-06-2014, 04:47 PM	#4
Chevy3+3 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Winfield KS Posts: 489	Re: Tailgate bands.....need some info So....if the tailgates changed slightly in 81 will the wide tailgate trim fit a 78' tailgate?

03-06-2014, 06:04 PM	#5
TheBlueBomber Registered User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Cary, NC Posts: 816	Re: Tailgate bands.....need some info All the tailgates are the same. It's just a matter of mounting the trim piece. __________________ Austin 1996 Chevrolet K1500 Silverado 1979 Chevrolet K10 Scottsdale - Carolina K10 - My 4.8L Twin turbo build - Project Short Stroke - Instagram - TheBlueBomber1996

03-06-2014, 06:09 PM	#6
TheBlueBomber Registered User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Cary, NC Posts: 816	Re: Tailgate bands.....need some info As I was... misread the question. The tailgate band area did change. __________________ Austin 1996 Chevrolet K1500 Silverado 1979 Chevrolet K10 Scottsdale - Carolina K10 - My 4.8L Twin turbo build - Project Short Stroke - Instagram - TheBlueBomber1996

03-06-2014, 08:10 PM	#7
Chevy3+3 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Winfield KS Posts: 489	Re: Tailgate bands.....need some info So the tailgates are the same but the recessed band area is different? So a wide panel trim wont fit on my 78 tailgate?

03-07-2014, 11:17 AM	#10
1774btcrew Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Phoenix AZ Posts: 4,613	Re: Tailgate bands.....need some info The earlier bands are roughly 1/2" narrower from top to bottom. __________________ AZPartsLocators on Instagram 1972 Cheyenne Super Short Bed big block "Blackie" 1977 Crew Cab GMC Short bed with 4BT Intercooled Cummins Diesel and a 4L80e "The Junkyard Dog" 1985 Crew Cab Chevy dually with 5.9 Cummins "The Big Dog" This is what my dad liked to be called by the grandkids before he passed so it seems fitting for his old truck.



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