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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2024
Location: Pleasanton CA
Posts: 189
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Tailgate alignment / adjustment help please
Hi guys,
The tailgate on my ‘69 looks to be a bit misaligned. If you notice, the left side needs to come up about 1/4” and the entire tailgate needs to be rotated clockwise by a degree or two, if that makes sense. You can see there are larger gaps on the bottom left and upper right that need to be corrected. Having the never done this, I’m wondering what built in adjustment exists for addressing the problem. Thank you.
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1969 C10 Shortbed |
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#2 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Southern California
Posts: 2,808
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Re: Tailgate alignment / adjustment help please
If you open the tailgate you will see the trunnion (pivot point) at the bottom edge. There are two bolts on the body side, one above and one below the tailgate. Loosen the bolts on the left side enough so tailgate can move. Lift up maybe 3/16"-1/4" and tighten bolts. I like to mark where the bracket was using masking tape at edges so I know where the bracket was originally. Tape at bottom and back of bracket would be appropriate. Hope this helps.
__________________
Richard 1972 K10 Custom Deluxe SWB Fleetside My build https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=800746 |
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#3 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2024
Location: Pleasanton CA
Posts: 189
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Re: Tailgate alignment / adjustment help please
Thank you! I will give it a try and report back.
__________________
1969 C10 Shortbed |
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#4 |
All stock and staying that way
![]() Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Elkland, PA
Posts: 1,469
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The reverse lenses have been replaced over the years. The original 1969 lenses had the bullseye pattern that match the taillamp lenses.
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1970 K/5 Blazer CST 4WD, Bronze, 93k ACT. miles, 350, 4 speed, positraction, 16.5" x 8.25" wheel option, tilt, tach, vacuum, AM/FM, manual throttle...Dad ordered and purchased new 4/70. Currently frame off restoration in progress... ![]() 1972 Cheyenne Super 20 2WD, DK Blue/White, 90K ACT. miles, 402, TH400, 4.10 open, tilt, tach, vacuum, A/C, AM/FM, manual throttle.. A mostly original paint never rusted Texas survivor... ![]() 2017 Sierra 1500 SLT 4WD, Black, 41k miles, 5.3, 6L80E, 3.42 LS, 20" polished wheels, everything but moonroof and 6.2... 2019 Canyon SLT 4WD, White, 60k miles, 3.6, 8L45, 3.23 LS, 18" wheels |
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#5 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2024
Location: Pleasanton CA
Posts: 189
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Re: Tailgate alignment / adjustment help please
Thank you for letting me know!
That’s an example of why this site is great, would have probably never known that otherwise.
__________________
1969 C10 Shortbed |
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#6 |
All stock and staying that way
![]() Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Elkland, PA
Posts: 1,469
|
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To help with your search, the original GM part numbers for the 1967-70 reverse lamp lenses are:
5959461 LH 5959462 RH Also, they have been recently reproduced. https://www.ebay.com/itm/11606015880...Bk9SR5iOiLeAZA ![]()
__________________
1970 K/5 Blazer CST 4WD, Bronze, 93k ACT. miles, 350, 4 speed, positraction, 16.5" x 8.25" wheel option, tilt, tach, vacuum, AM/FM, manual throttle...Dad ordered and purchased new 4/70. Currently frame off restoration in progress... ![]() 1972 Cheyenne Super 20 2WD, DK Blue/White, 90K ACT. miles, 402, TH400, 4.10 open, tilt, tach, vacuum, A/C, AM/FM, manual throttle.. A mostly original paint never rusted Texas survivor... ![]() 2017 Sierra 1500 SLT 4WD, Black, 41k miles, 5.3, 6L80E, 3.42 LS, 20" polished wheels, everything but moonroof and 6.2... 2019 Canyon SLT 4WD, White, 60k miles, 3.6, 8L45, 3.23 LS, 18" wheels Last edited by 1970cstblazer; 06-10-2024 at 02:38 PM. |
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#7 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Northern Harford county,Md.
Posts: 41
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Re: Tailgate alignment / adjustment help please
It is just out of square. Put a stake about 3 feet long in the rear bed pocket. Starting on the drivers side standing in the bed push out on the stake, have a buddy watch the gap go just a little past what you want and check it until you get the gap you want. (If you go to far pull it back.)
On the right side do the same except pull the stake just a little and keep checking it until you get your gap the way you want it. ( If you go to far push it back. ) The tailgate should slide over to where it needs to be. I hope this helps you... |
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#8 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Kalifornia
Posts: 340
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Re: Tailgate alignment / adjustment help please
Might want to consider this type of trunion roller before you align the tailgate. Not necessarily this brand. Various vendors carry them. Your tailgate will open very smoothly instead of grinding metal against metal. You can enlarge/elongate the holes if you need a little more adjustment. Worked great for me.
https://www.amazon.com/SEBLAFF-Feets.../dp/B0CW9N92DS |
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#9 | |
Junior Member
![]() Join Date: Mar 2022
Location: Hinesburg Vermont
Posts: 68
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Re: Tailgate alignment / adjustment help please
Quote:
I just used a heavy duty ratchet strap to pull in the bedside until a nice gap was present, but the stake method is a real good idea. |
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#10 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Southern California
Posts: 2,808
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Re: Tailgate alignment / adjustment help please
Tweaking and bending is sometimes necessary. Do not think that is the case here. OP said left side is low and I can see it in the picture. When the left side is raised not only will the top edge align, the out of square condition will be addressed as well.
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Richard 1972 K10 Custom Deluxe SWB Fleetside My build https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=800746 |
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#11 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2024
Location: Pleasanton CA
Posts: 189
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Re: Tailgate alignment / adjustment help please
I got in the garage today and noticed that the existing trunion bushings have a ton of play in the tailgate (as expected since those bushings are likely originals)
I loosened all the bracket bolts to allow me to play with the gaps. Although I was able to improve the gaps slightly, I don’t think there is enough adjustability in the brackets alone without needing to flex the bed side slightly to get the right gaps. As a side note, I did order the Holley delrin trunions and will swap those in before doing anything else. This stake technique described above, can someone show a pic of where the stake would go in to get the bottom of the bedsides flexed slightly in (not out)? Trunion kit I ordered: https://www.holley.com/products/exte.../parts/TGH72FD
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1969 C10 Shortbed |
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#12 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2024
Location: Pleasanton CA
Posts: 189
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Re: Tailgate alignment / adjustment help please
Quote:
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1969 C10 Shortbed |
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#13 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: East Tn (In the heart of the Smoky Mtns)
Posts: 1,869
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Re: Tailgate alignment / adjustment help please
Quote:
If you’ll notice in your picture, the gap on the right side is greater that the left. Adjust the left side and the issue will be fixed. |
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#14 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Kalifornia
Posts: 340
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Re: Tailgate alignment / adjustment help please
Don't know about 69s, but my 72 is tack welded at the side bottoms. No movement there. Like others stated it just needs adjustment.
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