Tailgate Hardware Color

[11555wally]

I'm doing some work on my 86 tailgate, and at this time all of the hardware, hinges and brackets show signs of being painted with body color. However, underneath the paint on the hinges it looks like cad plating. What finish do these come with from the factory? As always, thanks for your help

[TKCR]

Not sure what the factory color was, but mine have been painted black. They look nice. This is the only current pic of the tailgate without taking more, sorry but the pic was more for showing the bed carpet. But you can see most of the hardware.
Now the trunions (I believe they are called) have been painted the same color as the truck.

[Keith Seymore]

You might be surprised to find they were plated, and then painted body color.



Here's a pic of the assembly process; I think it will be obvious why that is when you scroll through the pictures.

http://www.73-87.com/7387info/Assembly%20Line.htm

(photo 9 - ELPO primer; photo 11 - spraying color coat)

K

[11555wally]

Great pics and description Keith. So all of the tailgate hardware would be installed before final paint?

[TKCR]

That was awesome Keith, thanks for posting. Working in an assembly plant myself, this was a joy to see how our trucks were built. My dad worked at a parts plant for GM. One of his jobs was stamping the aluminum trim piece on the tailgate.

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by 11555wally

Great pics and description Keith. So all of the tailgate hardware would be installed before final paint?

Thank you; yes - the box is completely built up before paint.

K

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by TKCR

That was awesome Keith, thanks for posting. Working in an assembly plant myself, this was a joy to see how our trucks were built. My dad worked at a parts plant for GM. One of his jobs was stamping the aluminum trim piece on the tailgate.

Thank you; which plant did he work in?

My dad worked for GM, for 32 years, in Manufacturing (Pressed Metal) and Advanced Manufacturing engineering. He made the radiator support, front fenders and fuel tanks for our trucks (as well as air cleaners, oil pans, valve covers and rocker arms).

K

[TKCR]

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

Thank you; which plant did he work in?

My dad worked for GM, for 32 years, in Manufacturing (Pressed Metal) and Advanced Manufacturing engineering. He made the radiator support, front fenders and fuel tanks for our trucks (as well as air cleaners, oil pans, valve covers and rocker arms).

K

It was in Columbus, Ohio. They tore it down and now the home of the Casino in Columbus. I can't remember the name, but I'll ask him. He worked there for 34 yrs.

It was Fisher Body and then Delphi

[Kaysen]

Very cool to see those pics! I work at the Peterbilt assembly plant in Denton Tx and it's cool to see how they come together. I bet it would've been a lot more neat to be building squares instead! I would've felt like a kid in a candy store

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by Kaysen

Very cool to see those pics! I work at the Peterbilt assembly plant in Denton Tx and it's cool to see how they come together. I bet it would've been a lot more neat to be building squares instead! I would've felt like a kid in a candy store

Yep. One truck completed every minute.

You want to own every one of them.

K