tailgate

[MR COUNTS]

is there a size difference in tailgates . i purchased a 1981 scottsdale k10 and the tailgate has big gaps on each side ,i purchased a used tailgate off craigslist and it has the same gap. i was looking at the new tailgate and noticed that it was from an older chevy , was there a size difference with in the years between 1973 and 1987 ?

[Quadstar90]

I'm almost positive that all year tailgates (73-87) are interchangeable. There is 2 or 3 styles thought.

[MR COUNTS]

can i use a come along or something to try to narrow the gaps

[old Rusty C10]

you should check the integrity of the metal on your bed before trying the come along.. if there is weak structure the bed could be separating at the tops of the bedrails...
you also could have two aftermarket tailgates that don't have good fitment on the bed or aftermarket bedsides..

[MR COUNTS]

Thank you do you know how wide of space there should be for a tailgate or know the length of a oem tailgate.
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[74 stepside]

Measure the inside width of the front of the bed then measure the rear. If they arent the same, your bed is stretched out.

[cory d]

i would add to the tail gate like you have to do with the doors. the gaps on these trucks are far from perfect

[MR COUNTS]

i just measured the bed the rear is a 1/2 inch wider than the front what should i do help!!!!!

[Sabaka454]

Pics?

[MR COUNTS]

i will try to put up pics wednesday . thank you

[Quadstar90]

First I would try and figure out what side, if not both, is bent. Then see if you could hook a come along to it and try and fix it. It shouldn't take much pressure to pull it back. You could even put the tail gate on as a guide so you don't make it too small.
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[piecesparts]

The truck beds are held together with bolts all along the bedside, UNTIL you get to the very back of the bed and then there is a small weld point just at the stakepost and the bed floor. If your gaps are too big, then cut the welds, loosen the bolts, and move the bedside inward until your gap is what you want. Re-weld the post to the floor and tighten the bolts.

[MR COUNTS]

thank you i will do that . i will post pictures maybe today , had to stay home from work today child is sick .

[Wrecked1982]

we pried back in my neighborgs bed with ratcheted binder hooked with a chain on the 2 square holes at the back of the bed using the tailgate as when to stop. it worked good but it was pretty much a rusted bed tought . so it might have made things easier

[jitteryguy]

if it's bent out the gap at the bottom will sill be right, if the gap is wide all the way down it was assemble'd that way. if thats the case you'd have to cut the weld's loose and slide it all over and reweld.

[MR COUNTS]

thats a good thought i will measure and see thank you . I LOVE THIS BOARD !!!!

[MR COUNTS]

how do i add pictures

[rollin thunder]

When you go to post a reply, click on go advanced and scroll down and click on the manage attachments button and it will bring up a pop op window and browse and upload...