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

warpig98 · 02-03-2009, 09:47 PM

I am getting a new smooth tailgate skin and handle relocator for my 78 gmc. My question to the pros(you people) is how does that relocator work. The kit i'm getting comes with the mounting plate, new handle, and rods. On new trucks there is a access panel on the inside of the tailgate and you just replace that with the new plate that comes with the kit. Well on my tailgate on the 78 there is no access panel. Do i have to cut a square whole on the inside panel of the tailgate, and how do i know where to cut it??? And pics and with measurements of the inside of you tailgate would be wonderful. Thank you again for the help

1984 swb chevy · 02-03-2009, 10:30 PM

I had to cut my tailgate with a cut off tool. It was a simple install and is very easy.

willett · 02-03-2009, 11:34 PM

it should be exactly opposite of where your existing handle is.
no problems

piecesparts · 02-04-2009, 08:20 AM

You cut the inside skin of the tailgate and install the new plate and linkage equipment to do what the outside opening does. Then you make your cover for the outside, cover the hole left by the removal of the handle.

Cherub · 02-04-2009, 09:07 AM

What kit are you going to use?

**78 Big10 454** · 02-04-2009, 01:29 PM

Warpig: My kit came with a template for the new cut-out. I borrowed my cousin's plasma cutter to make the new hole for the tailgate latch. The rod installation is reversed for the inside latch. It was an easy job.

warpig98 · 02-04-2009, 02:25 PM

ok thanx. i figured the installation was prety basic. i just didn't know where to cut the inner skin.

warpig98 · 02-04-2009, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cherub

What kit are you going to use?

i am getting one out of lmc

gchemist · 02-04-2009, 08:22 PM

My handle relocator is from www.mar-k.com.
Part number 100807.
Works great!! I don't like the kit that use the stock handle.

warpig98 · 02-04-2009, 08:58 PM

yeah i was looking at that kit also. i've never bought any thing from ther before and it looked too cheap to be treu. $80.00. but if you have that one, and it looks and works good, then maybe i'll go with that then.

staggerd86c-10 · 02-04-2009, 11:38 PM

yeah that kit for 80bucks is a steal! im thinking of getting that kit too, has anyone used the tailgate skin that they have there also?

andrewmp6 · 02-05-2009, 01:10 AM

Some use the tail gate trim off a blazer it hides the handle hole and looks oem.

warpig98 · 02-05-2009, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by staggerd86c-10

yeah that kit for 80bucks is a steal! im thinking of getting that kit too, has anyone used the tailgate skin that they have there also?

i'm going to be getting the tailgate skin from them also. they have a smooth one and one that has a bowtie embosed in it. i'm thinkin of gettting the bowtie one.

staggerd86c-10 · 02-06-2009, 08:16 PM

the only thing stopping me about getting the skin is that the tailgate trim looks better because of the lights on the back are a bit strange without trim

gchemist · 02-07-2009, 12:14 PM

BADBOW baby!!

warpig98 · 02-07-2009, 04:36 PM

c now i'm not much for the louvered bowtie. i prefer the smooth embosed bowtie better. i would be affraid of getting moisture in between the tailgate skins and then it rusting out.

1984 swb chevy · 02-07-2009, 07:43 PM

I did the relocation kit and welded the hole shut. I think that is a clean look.

piecesparts · 02-07-2009, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by warpig98

c now i'm not much for the louvered bowtie. i prefer the smooth embosed bowtie better. i would be affraid of getting moisture in between the tailgate skins and then it rusting out.

Definitely agree on that thought.

**N2TRUX** · 02-07-2009, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1984 swb chevy

I did the relocation kit and welded the hole shut. I think that is a clean look.

warpig98 · 02-07-2009, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1984 swb chevy

I did the relocation kit and welded the hole shut. I think that is a clean look.

hey could you post a pic of the inside of you tailgate please. thank you

gchemist · 02-08-2009, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by warpig98

c now i'm not much for the louvered bowtie. i prefer the smooth embosed bowtie better. i would be affraid of getting moisture in between the tailgate skins and then it rusting out.

I don't have that problem. I used a flat piece of aluminum on the backside. It's glued to the backside of the tailgate skin. Water can't get in between the skin and tailgate.

1984 swb chevy · 02-08-2009, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by warpig98

hey could you post a pic of the inside of you tailgate please. thank you

Here is the picture.

warpig98 · 02-08-2009, 04:53 PM

where did you get your kit from. looks good.

1984 swb chevy · 02-08-2009, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by warpig98

where did you get your kit from. looks good.

I got it on ebay. It is a Sir Michaels and it comes with the filler piece to fill the old handle location.

warpig98 · 02-08-2009, 04:58 PM

how much. did it also come with the new handle, rods and the plate on the inside of your tailgate.

02-03-2009, 09:47 PM	#1
warpig98 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: arcadia, wisconsin Posts: 135	?????tailgate handle relocator????? I am getting a new smooth tailgate skin and handle relocator for my 78 gmc. My question to the pros(you people) is how does that relocator work. The kit i'm getting comes with the mounting plate, new handle, and rods. On new trucks there is a access panel on the inside of the tailgate and you just replace that with the new plate that comes with the kit. Well on my tailgate on the 78 there is no access panel. Do i have to cut a square whole on the inside panel of the tailgate, and how do i know where to cut it??? And pics and with measurements of the inside of you tailgate would be wonderful. Thank you again for the help

02-03-2009, 10:30 PM	#2
1984 swb chevy Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: New Jersey Posts: 466	Re: ?????tailgate handle relocator????? I had to cut my tailgate with a cut off tool. It was a simple install and is very easy. __________________ 2010 Tahoe 1984 C10 2005 Harley FLH 1941 Willys Pickup (will never get it done) not for sale

02-03-2009, 11:34 PM	#3
willett Another Day, Another Dollar Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: North Vancouver, BC Posts: 1,316	Re: ?????tailgate handle relocator????? it should be exactly opposite of where your existing handle is. no problems __________________ -78 K20 Cheyenne 454 long box, 4" lift, 35" MT's, '84 cab, '80 box "its hip to be square"

02-04-2009, 08:20 AM	#4
piecesparts Parts and more parts Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lebo, Kansas (middle of nowhere Posts: 6,821	Re: ?????tailgate handle relocator????? You cut the inside skin of the tailgate and install the new plate and linkage equipment to do what the outside opening does. Then you make your cover for the outside, cover the hole left by the removal of the handle.

02-04-2009, 09:07 AM	#5
Cherub Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Houston Posts: 970	Re: ?????tailgate handle relocator????? What kit are you going to use?

02-04-2009, 01:29 PM	#6
78 Big10 454 78 Big10 454 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Pismo Beach, CA Posts: 839	Re: ?????tailgate handle relocator????? Warpig: My kit came with a template for the new cut-out. I borrowed my cousin's plasma cutter to make the new hole for the tailgate latch. The rod installation is reversed for the inside latch. It was an easy job.

02-04-2009, 02:25 PM	#7
warpig98 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: arcadia, wisconsin Posts: 135	Re: ?????tailgate handle relocator????? ok thanx. i figured the installation was prety basic. i just didn't know where to cut the inner skin.

02-04-2009, 08:22 PM	#9
gchemist BAD BOW-Silverado XST Join Date: May 2000 Location: Senior Member from Austin, TX Posts: 6,431	Re: ?????tailgate handle relocator????? My handle relocator is from www.mar-k.com. Part number 100807. Works great!! I don't like the kit that use the stock handle. __________________ Gerardo a.k.a. Mad Chemist Silverado XST videos

02-04-2009, 08:58 PM	#10
warpig98 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: arcadia, wisconsin Posts: 135	Re: ?????tailgate handle relocator????? yeah i was looking at that kit also. i've never bought any thing from ther before and it looked too cheap to be treu. $80.00. but if you have that one, and it looks and works good, then maybe i'll go with that then.

02-04-2009, 11:38 PM	#11
staggerd86c-10 Squarebody Aficionado Join Date: May 2008 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 713	Re: ?????tailgate handle relocator????? yeah that kit for 80bucks is a steal! im thinking of getting that kit too, has anyone used the tailgate skin that they have there also?

02-05-2009, 01:10 AM	#12
andrewmp6 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Louisville,Ky Posts: 5,811	Re: ?????tailgate handle relocator????? Some use the tail gate trim off a blazer it hides the handle hole and looks oem.

02-06-2009, 08:16 PM	#14
staggerd86c-10 Squarebody Aficionado Join Date: May 2008 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 713	Re: ?????tailgate handle relocator????? the only thing stopping me about getting the skin is that the tailgate trim looks better because of the lights on the back are a bit strange without trim

02-07-2009, 12:14 PM	#15
gchemist BAD BOW-Silverado XST Join Date: May 2000 Location: Senior Member from Austin, TX Posts: 6,431	Re: ?????tailgate handle relocator????? BADBOW baby!! Attached Images __________________ Gerardo a.k.a. Mad Chemist Silverado XST videos

02-07-2009, 04:36 PM	#16
warpig98 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: arcadia, wisconsin Posts: 135	Re: ?????tailgate handle relocator????? c now i'm not much for the louvered bowtie. i prefer the smooth embosed bowtie better. i would be affraid of getting moisture in between the tailgate skins and then it rusting out.

02-07-2009, 07:43 PM	#17
1984 swb chevy Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: New Jersey Posts: 466	Re: ?????tailgate handle relocator????? I did the relocation kit and welded the hole shut. I think that is a clean look. Attached Images __________________ 2010 Tahoe 1984 C10 2005 Harley FLH 1941 Willys Pickup (will never get it done) not for sale



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02-08-2009, 04:53 PM	#23
warpig98 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: arcadia, wisconsin Posts: 135	Re: ?????tailgate handle relocator????? where did you get your kit from. looks good.

02-08-2009, 04:58 PM	#25
warpig98 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: arcadia, wisconsin Posts: 135	Re: ?????tailgate handle relocator????? how much. did it also come with the new handle, rods and the plate on the inside of your tailgate.

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