Removing tailgate trim - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**MikeB** · 12-18-2004, 12:20 PM

The tailgate on my 69 C10 needs some minor body work and repainting. My question is how do I remove the 4 trim pieces without destroying them? Mine were new in 1991 and they are still just about perfect.

JimKshortstep4x4 · 12-19-2004, 08:04 AM

The two upper outer pieces can be removed by removing the end nuts.
Soak the chrome strips with penetrant, gently pry the ends up to clear the studs and slide the pieces off.

The upper middle chrome can be held on with barrel clips or nuts. If nuts, remove both of them and the trim can be pulled off. If barrel clips, soak the part with penetrant and pry it off with a trim reoval tool.

The lower chrome is where the main problem is because all clips are the stab in style. I usually rotate the clips using a flat tool (like a piece of sheet metal) after popping the spring out of position. Again soak the trim piece with penetrant. Once you have the clips rotated the trim will come off.

The clips are like fishhooks and are really tough to remove so I don't try to remove the chrome by prying the clips out as you end up bending the chrome.

Good luck!

Jim

12-18-2004, 12:20 PM	#1
MikeB Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: North Texas Posts: 3,470	Removing tailgate trim The tailgate on my 69 C10 needs some minor body work and repainting. My question is how do I remove the 4 trim pieces without destroying them? Mine were new in 1991 and they are still just about perfect. __________________ Mike 1969 C10 LWB -- owned for 35 years. 350/TH350, 3.08 posi, 1st Gen Vintage Air, AAW wiring harness, 5-lug conversion, 1985 spindles and brakes. 1982 C10 SWB -- sold 1981 C10 Silverado LWB -- sold, but wish I still had it! 1969 C10 (not the current one) that I bought in the early 1980s. Paid $1200; sold for $1500 a few years later. Just a hint at the appreciation that was coming. Retired as a factory automation products salesman. Worked part-time over the years for an engine builder and a classic car repair shop. Member here for 24 years! This is the very first car/truck Internet forum I joined. I still used a dial-up modem back then!

12-19-2004, 08:04 AM	#2
JimKshortstep4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Muskegon,MI,USA Posts: 6,026	The two upper outer pieces can be removed by removing the end nuts. Soak the chrome strips with penetrant, gently pry the ends up to clear the studs and slide the pieces off. The upper middle chrome can be held on with barrel clips or nuts. If nuts, remove both of them and the trim can be pulled off. If barrel clips, soak the part with penetrant and pry it off with a trim reoval tool. The lower chrome is where the main problem is because all clips are the stab in style. I usually rotate the clips using a flat tool (like a piece of sheet metal) after popping the spring out of position. Again soak the trim piece with penetrant. Once you have the clips rotated the trim will come off. The clips are like fishhooks and are really tough to remove so I don't try to remove the chrome by prying the clips out as you end up bending the chrome. Good luck! Jim



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