1981 C20 Stepside Chevy tailgate - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Mr.Mike · 05-09-2017, 11:28 AM

I got several answers on how to remove the tailgate, and most were wrong. You do not close the tailgate to within 6 inches and it pulls up...on a stepside, you have to unbolt the trunnion. The trunnion has a slot and you have to hold it from turning (needle nose vise grips worked for me) and undo the bolt. It's not at all like the other tailgate removals. Just wanted to share in case somebody else has the question. Thanks.

**old Rusty C10** · 05-09-2017, 04:06 PM

mine was able to pull off like a regular tailgate... perhaps one is original and one was replaced with a different hinge system?

Mr.Mike · 05-09-2017, 04:29 PM

Maybe you are right. I just know mine would not come off like a regular tailgate. Interesting.

1981Stepside · 05-21-2017, 03:15 AM

On my 81 c10 I also had to unbolt the trunion using needle-nose vise grips like Mr. Mike - the steel on the bedside did not have a slot to allow the tailgate to pull up and out like I've also heard.

Mr.Mike · 05-21-2017, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1981Stepside

On my 81 c10 I also had to unbolt the trunion using needle-nose vise grips like Mr. Mike - the steel on the bedside did not have a slot to allow the tailgate to pull up and out like I've also heard.

Thanks for verifying that information. Maybe it will help somebody else with the same issue.

Tx Firefighter · 05-21-2017, 10:39 AM

Rather than using needle nose visegrips to keep the trunions from turning, there will be a small hole in the very bottom of the tailgate directly below the trunion. You can insert a screwdriver into the hole. As you turn the bolt and trunion, there will be a slot in the trunion that will line up with your screwdriver. Once the screwdriver is in the slot it can't turn anymore and you can remove the bolt.

Mr.Mike · 05-21-2017, 10:55 AM

Thanks. I saw that slot on the trunion.....did not see the hole....next time!!

RTHarvey · 07-11-2025, 04:33 PM

The tailgate on my 67 stepside is in bad shape. It looks like maybe someone had it down, and dropped something heavy on it, or maybe all the way down and backed into something. Anyway, decided to replace as I was doing a bed cover. The tailgate could be closed with difficulty by leaning heavily on it, then slipping the hook in. So I ordered a new tailgate, and went to take the old one off. Not obvious, so I came in and checked this forum, and found this thread. Tried the screwdriver in the slot on the right, couldn't get it to hold, went to the left, and got the bolt out. Then the tailgate could be removed by just sliding it off the remaining trunnion. Took a pipe wrench and an impact to the remaining trunnion, and broke the bolt--just as good as coming out. Thanks for the help!

05-09-2017, 11:28 AM	#1
Mr.Mike Registered User Join Date: May 2017 Location: Westover Posts: 6	1981 C20 Stepside Chevy tailgate I got several answers on how to remove the tailgate, and most were wrong. You do not close the tailgate to within 6 inches and it pulls up...on a stepside, you have to unbolt the trunnion. The trunnion has a slot and you have to hold it from turning (needle nose vise grips worked for me) and undo the bolt. It's not at all like the other tailgate removals. Just wanted to share in case somebody else has the question. Thanks.

05-09-2017, 04:06 PM	#2
old Rusty C10 Robert Olson Transport Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: recent transplant to NC USA Posts: 20,394	Re: 1981 C20 Stepside Chevy tailgate mine was able to pull off like a regular tailgate... perhaps one is original and one was replaced with a different hinge system? __________________ Bob 1951 International running on a squarebody chassis "If a man's worth is judged by the people he associates himself with, then i am the richest man in the world knowing some of the fine people of this board" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...t.php?f=25&a=9 (you can review the site rules here!) PM Me for your vehicle/parts hauling needs in the North East US or see my Facebook page Robert Olson Transport Live each day to the fullest.. you never know when fate is going to pull the rug out from under you... I hate cancer!!

05-09-2017, 04:29 PM	#3
Mr.Mike Registered User Join Date: May 2017 Location: Westover Posts: 6	Re: 1981 C20 Stepside Chevy tailgate Maybe you are right. I just know mine would not come off like a regular tailgate. Interesting.

05-21-2017, 03:15 AM	#4
1981Stepside Registered User Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Port Coquitlam, BC Posts: 202	Re: 1981 C20 Stepside Chevy tailgate On my 81 c10 I also had to unbolt the trunion using needle-nose vise grips like Mr. Mike - the steel on the bedside did not have a slot to allow the tailgate to pull up and out like I've also heard. __________________ Proud UA member since 2009 My LT1 Silverado build-up: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=549660 Check out my new YouTube channel! - https://youtube.com/channel/UCXk5mZOQI1sEnu5bIkhe7fA

05-21-2017, 10:39 AM	#6
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	Re: 1981 C20 Stepside Chevy tailgate Rather than using needle nose visegrips to keep the trunions from turning, there will be a small hole in the very bottom of the tailgate directly below the trunion. You can insert a screwdriver into the hole. As you turn the bolt and trunion, there will be a slot in the trunion that will line up with your screwdriver. Once the screwdriver is in the slot it can't turn anymore and you can remove the bolt. __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin

05-21-2017, 10:55 AM	#7
Mr.Mike Registered User Join Date: May 2017 Location: Westover Posts: 6	Re: 1981 C20 Stepside Chevy tailgate Thanks. I saw that slot on the trunion.....did not see the hole....next time!!

07-11-2025, 04:33 PM	#8
RTHarvey Registered User Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Wichita, KS Posts: 63	Re: Stepside Chevy tailgate removal The tailgate on my 67 stepside is in bad shape. It looks like maybe someone had it down, and dropped something heavy on it, or maybe all the way down and backed into something. Anyway, decided to replace as I was doing a bed cover. The tailgate could be closed with difficulty by leaning heavily on it, then slipping the hook in. So I ordered a new tailgate, and went to take the old one off. Not obvious, so I came in and checked this forum, and found this thread. Tried the screwdriver in the slot on the right, couldn't get it to hold, went to the left, and got the bolt out. Then the tailgate could be removed by just sliding it off the remaining trunnion. Took a pipe wrench and an impact to the remaining trunnion, and broke the bolt--just as good as coming out. Thanks for the help!



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