Removeable tailgate? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

71swb4x4 · 01-25-2004, 04:49 PM

I have a 1971. I have to unbolt the tailgate to get it off.
I had a 69 GMC and I didn't have to unbolt that one to get it off. Are there certain years that had that kind of tailgate, or was mine modified?
It is kind of a pain in the butt to unbolt it whenever I need it off. I would really like to have my 71 like my 69 was.

Shawn

Longhorn Man · 01-25-2004, 04:52 PM

Your 69 was modified. All you really have to do is take off one of the trunions on your gate, and cut a large section off of it on the bottom so it can be lifted off.
I kinda like the non-quick release feature. I've seen too many later models that the gate got stollen off of. plus I've been driving these trucks since 98 and only had to remove the gate once...but that is just me. I know some ppl need to do it more often.

1969 GMC · 01-25-2004, 05:00 PM

i might try to take mine off and see if i can pick up a mpg or two, i dont like having it lay flat cuz it bounces.

Longhorn Man · 01-25-2004, 05:03 PM

That won't help your MPG much if at all.
I tried it once and the increase was minimal. Something like .5 MPG better without the gate. I think havint a super sized fry instead of the small fry would negate the improvement.

mr402 · 01-25-2004, 05:33 PM

When I removed the gate on my 71 the mileage went from 10.5 to 11.5. I figure a 10% gain was worth the trouble. As an aside note I documeted every fill up and ran it each way for a month.

As for the quick release I picked up a parts truck a while back. They had cut just the lower portion of the tailgate where the trunion goes in. Top portion remained in place. The cut was made only on one side. Seemed to work pretty good. I'm welding it back up since the rest of the gate is mint. Too many get ripped off, why make it easier.

72 CustomCamper · 01-25-2004, 09:17 PM

My dad and I made the gate on my truck into a quick release. Here are a few pics...

Chuck

The trunion

72 CustomCamper · 01-25-2004, 09:18 PM

And the gate

01-25-2004, 04:49 PM	#1
71swb4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Brookings, SD Posts: 10,497	Removeable tailgate? I have a 1971. I have to unbolt the tailgate to get it off. I had a 69 GMC and I didn't have to unbolt that one to get it off. Are there certain years that had that kind of tailgate, or was mine modified? It is kind of a pain in the butt to unbolt it whenever I need it off. I would really like to have my 71 like my 69 was. Shawn __________________ Some people are like slinkies, they aren't good for anything, but you can't help but smile when you see one tumble down the stairs.

01-25-2004, 05:00 PM	#3
1969 GMC Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: The Rubber City Posts: 5,498	i might try to take mine off and see if i can pick up a mpg or two, i dont like having it lay flat cuz it bounces. __________________ 1969 GMC K2500 1996 Honda Accord 2007 Kawasaki KLR 650

01-25-2004, 09:17 PM	#6
72 CustomCamper huh ??? Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Fredericksburg,Va. Posts: 3,368	My dad and I made the gate on my truck into a quick release. Here are a few pics... Chuck The trunion Attached Images __________________ 90 Blazer Silverado 350w/ 700R4 and 32" Kelly's "I am a bomb technician. If you see me running try to keep up!"

01-25-2004, 09:18 PM	#7
72 CustomCamper huh ??? Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Fredericksburg,Va. Posts: 3,368	And the gate Attached Images __________________ 90 Blazer Silverado 350w/ 700R4 and 32" Kelly's "I am a bomb technician. If you see me running try to keep up!"

01-25-2004, 04:52 PM	#2
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Your 69 was modified. All you really have to do is take off one of the trunions on your gate, and cut a large section off of it on the bottom so it can be lifted off. I kinda like the non-quick release feature. I've seen too many later models that the gate got stollen off of. plus I've been driving these trucks since 98 and only had to remove the gate once...but that is just me. I know some ppl need to do it more often.

01-25-2004, 05:03 PM	#4
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	That won't help your MPG much if at all. I tried it once and the increase was minimal. Something like .5 MPG better without the gate. I think havint a super sized fry instead of the small fry would negate the improvement.

01-25-2004, 05:33 PM	#5
mr402 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Elmira, Oregon Posts: 449	When I removed the gate on my 71 the mileage went from 10.5 to 11.5. I figure a 10% gain was worth the trouble. As an aside note I documeted every fill up and ran it each way for a month. As for the quick release I picked up a parts truck a while back. They had cut just the lower portion of the tailgate where the trunion goes in. Top portion remained in place. The cut was made only on one side. Seemed to work pretty good. I'm welding it back up since the rest of the gate is mint. Too many get ripped off, why make it easier.



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