Stepside Tailgate...no chains...how? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**1971Stepside** · 01-21-2004, 12:45 PM

I have seen a couple of the kits that allow you to get rid of the chains. Are any of you using one of these kits?

I would like to see some pics of your set-ups on how you latch the gate without chains.

Also, how did you remove the angle pieces on the tailgate and bedsides without destroying the pieces?

67chevemall · 01-21-2004, 02:06 PM

Yes sir!
I cut it all off!
replaced the top right corner with a small angle bracket w/ a hole for a pin to go through into the Bed.
The pin has a socket type ball on the end so it stays in the Bed hole witch keeps the tail gate up!

Very simple

Once I lost the pin and had to use a tree branch to hold it up till I got home!

Cheers

Check the www

Mudder · 01-21-2004, 02:10 PM

I believe there will be times you will want to open your tailgate.

dubie · 01-21-2004, 02:13 PM

You can also weld some seat belt clips on the inside so they click and latch when closing

67chevemall · 01-21-2004, 02:54 PM

you take the pin out by pushing it in which releases the socket ball and down she comes!

And the leather strap on the other side stops the fall!

MAC67 · 01-21-2004, 03:00 PM

did anyone see those tailgate arms on trucks , m not for sure if he was putting them on copperhead or not, they were electric arms that ran by the flick of a switch and you could also open it half way while driving so youre gate would work like a spoiler , i dont see any reason you couldnt run em on a step

**1971Stepside** · 01-21-2004, 05:19 PM

I would like to find something that is hidden. I expect to have a knob or something that shows so you can unlatch the gate, but I want the straps hidden. There has to be something on the market for this considering the step bed has been around forever and the chain set-up is virtually the same for all of them.

Keep the ideas coming and thanks for what you have posted so far.

stepside454 · 01-21-2004, 08:47 PM

check out wow-products.com
Thats what Im planning to get for mine. John

zenish · 01-21-2004, 09:02 PM

i believe www.mar-k.com has something like that.

cb · 01-21-2004, 09:17 PM

That wow-products kit looks pretty decent, looks like a winner. Too bad I didnt find that site before I started fabricating my tailgate.

BTW to get the chain latch brackets off, I think destroing them is the best way to go. We just cut what we could and grinded the rest of material flush.

cb · 01-21-2004, 09:20 PM

Weld up in the piece on the tail gate and on the bed where the brackets went through.

**1971Stepside** · 01-22-2004, 12:33 PM

I'll check out those two sites. Thanks

I think you are right cb...they will just have to be cut off and grinded down. I just wanted a tailgate latch assembly first so I had the best plan of attack before hacking into my $400 a piece new bedsides!! LOL

01-21-2004, 12:45 PM	#1
1971Stepside Almost Satisfied Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 2,932	Stepside Tailgate...no chains...how? I have seen a couple of the kits that allow you to get rid of the chains. Are any of you using one of these kits? I would like to see some pics of your set-ups on how you latch the gate without chains. Also, how did you remove the angle pieces on the tailgate and bedsides without destroying the pieces? __________________ 1971 C10 Stepside. LSx 6.0 with BTR Stage IV, Speed Engineering Headers, 4L80e transmission w/3200 Circle-D Stall. 3.73. Posi. Purchased this truck when I was 17. I started the rebuild (or take apart) in 1993. I have drug it around all over the country in pieces. Finally back on the road in 2021. "I can't complain, but sometimes I still do. Life's been good to me so far."

01-21-2004, 02:06 PM	#2
67chevemall Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: NB Posts: 3,367	Yes sir! I cut it all off! replaced the top right corner with a small angle bracket w/ a hole for a pin to go through into the Bed. The pin has a socket type ball on the end so it stays in the Bed hole witch keeps the tail gate up! Very simple Once I lost the pin and had to use a tree branch to hold it up till I got home! Cheers Check the www __________________ 1968 Chevy C10 307 3ott fleetside 1967 Chevy C/10 V8, 3spd, fleetside lwb.Sold 1967 Chev C/10 step, 383, M21. SOLD

01-21-2004, 02:10 PM	#3
Mudder Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: East Central, MO Posts: 11,336	I like this........ I believe there will be times you will want to open your tailgate.

01-21-2004, 02:13 PM	#4
dubie Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: Flin Flon, Manitoba, Canada Posts: 8,853	You can also weld some seat belt clips on the inside so they click and latch when closing __________________ My name's Tim and I'm a truckaholic My 56 Chevy shop truck build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=562795

01-21-2004, 02:54 PM	#5
67chevemall Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: NB Posts: 3,367	you take the pin out by pushing it in which releases the socket ball and down she comes! And the leather strap on the other side stops the fall! __________________ 1968 Chevy C10 307 3ott fleetside 1967 Chevy C/10 V8, 3spd, fleetside lwb.Sold 1967 Chev C/10 step, 383, M21. SOLD

01-21-2004, 03:00 PM	#6
MAC67 " SHOW ME" Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: shelbyville illinois Posts: 2,624	did anyone see those tailgate arms on trucks , m not for sure if he was putting them on copperhead or not, they were electric arms that ran by the flick of a switch and you could also open it half way while driving so youre gate would work like a spoiler , i dont see any reason you couldnt run em on a step

01-21-2004, 05:19 PM	#7
1971Stepside Almost Satisfied Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 2,932	I would like to find something that is hidden. I expect to have a knob or something that shows so you can unlatch the gate, but I want the straps hidden. There has to be something on the market for this considering the step bed has been around forever and the chain set-up is virtually the same for all of them. Keep the ideas coming and thanks for what you have posted so far. __________________ 1971 C10 Stepside. LSx 6.0 with BTR Stage IV, Speed Engineering Headers, 4L80e transmission w/3200 Circle-D Stall. 3.73. Posi. Purchased this truck when I was 17. I started the rebuild (or take apart) in 1993. I have drug it around all over the country in pieces. Finally back on the road in 2021. "I can't complain, but sometimes I still do. Life's been good to me so far."

01-21-2004, 08:47 PM	#8
stepside454 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: st. louis area Posts: 1,551	check out wow-products.com Thats what Im planning to get for mine. John __________________ 75 GMC C-15 short/step factory 454, lowered

01-21-2004, 09:02 PM	#9
zenish Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: stallings,nc Posts: 401	i believe www.mar-k.com has something like that.

01-21-2004, 09:17 PM	#10
cb Registered User Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Gilbert, AZ USA Posts: 98	That wow-products kit looks pretty decent, looks like a winner. Too bad I didnt find that site before I started fabricating my tailgate. BTW to get the chain latch brackets off, I think destroing them is the best way to go. We just cut what we could and grinded the rest of material flush. Attached Images __________________ Craig Berland

01-21-2004, 09:20 PM	#11
cb Registered User Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Gilbert, AZ USA Posts: 98	Weld up in the piece on the tail gate and on the bed where the brackets went through. Attached Images __________________ Craig Berland

01-22-2004, 12:33 PM	#12
1971Stepside Almost Satisfied Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 2,932	I'll check out those two sites. Thanks I think you are right cb...they will just have to be cut off and grinded down. I just wanted a tailgate latch assembly first so I had the best plan of attack before hacking into my $400 a piece new bedsides!! LOL __________________ 1971 C10 Stepside. LSx 6.0 with BTR Stage IV, Speed Engineering Headers, 4L80e transmission w/3200 Circle-D Stall. 3.73. Posi. Purchased this truck when I was 17. I started the rebuild (or take apart) in 1993. I have drug it around all over the country in pieces. Finally back on the road in 2021. "I can't complain, but sometimes I still do. Life's been good to me so far."



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