Tailgate Question... - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

53GMC · 04-03-2010, 03:54 PM

Is the tailgate for a 54-55 GMC truck the same width as a 53 GMC tailgate? I found a 54-55 GMC tailgate I would love to use in great shape but need to know if it will work...my 53 didnt have a tailgate with it when i bought it and i would love to know if this one would work....

thanks in advance guys..

53GMC

ClassicDreamer · 04-03-2010, 04:16 PM

I can definately tell you that the 54 chevy does not fit the 53 chevy. I had to send one back to LMC

53GMC · 04-03-2010, 04:39 PM

it was too wide or long? what part of it was wrong that you noticed? I ask because if it was a little too wide I would probably just widen my bed some in my project to accomodate for it.

Thanks

Dan Bowles · 04-03-2010, 04:56 PM

The mounting/latch system is completely different between the two. The 54+ has tabs that stick out and go over the loops, the 53- has slots in the body of the tailgate that go over the loops. Beds are both 50" wide BUT the 54+ is 2" deeper. I don't know how much is made up on the height of the gate...I've got both trucks here but it is storming so I'm not going out to measure right now!

53GMC · 04-05-2010, 12:10 PM

Thanks guys!

Dan: Im not worried about how the latches or loops are made on the bed to latch the tailgate due to the fact that the bed on my old truck is past its prime by far and those tabs are already broken off anyway.....i can just fab up some more to make the 54 gate work...can you perhaps measure the height of your gate for me?

Thanks

Dan Bowles · 04-05-2010, 10:09 PM

I'll have to check it tomorrow in the daylight. I'll see if I can't get some A/B pictures to show the differences.

Houston54 · 04-06-2010, 11:38 AM

The tailgate is probably the same width but the height is different as the 54 bed is completely different than the 53.
Trying to make a 54 tailgate fit a 53 bed seems wasted effort.

Why would you want to do it? Unless you have superb fabrication skills it will probably look kluged together.

Just buy a reproduction 48-53 tailgate and be done with it.

Dan Bowles · 04-06-2010, 08:33 PM

54/55S1: 19 1/2" x 51"
47-53: 16" x 50"

The 54/55S1 trucks have a "step" function at the rear of the bed so the bed is at 50" but each side has a 1/2" into the bed sides. As stated before, the '54 bed is deeper than the older trucks by 2". The mounting system is different as well but I didn't measure diameters.

Someone just had a blank GMC tailgate and was looking to swap for one that had the logo on it. Maybe on the HAMB...too many boards with lots of the same faces but not ALL of the same faces!!

04-03-2010, 03:54 PM	#1
53GMC Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Washington, GA Posts: 319	Tailgate Question... Is the tailgate for a 54-55 GMC truck the same width as a 53 GMC tailgate? I found a 54-55 GMC tailgate I would love to use in great shape but need to know if it will work...my 53 didnt have a tailgate with it when i bought it and i would love to know if this one would work.... thanks in advance guys.. 53GMC __________________ 1953 GMC/S 10 Swap http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=357365

04-03-2010, 04:16 PM	#2
ClassicDreamer Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: NY NY Posts: 123	Re: Tailgate Question... I can definately tell you that the 54 chevy does not fit the 53 chevy. I had to send one back to LMC

04-03-2010, 04:39 PM	#3
53GMC Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Washington, GA Posts: 319	Re: Tailgate Question... it was too wide or long? what part of it was wrong that you noticed? I ask because if it was a little too wide I would probably just widen my bed some in my project to accomodate for it. Thanks __________________ 1953 GMC/S 10 Swap http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=357365

04-03-2010, 04:56 PM	#4
Dan Bowles AD Addict Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Blissfield, MI Posts: 822	Re: Tailgate Question... The mounting/latch system is completely different between the two. The 54+ has tabs that stick out and go over the loops, the 53- has slots in the body of the tailgate that go over the loops. Beds are both 50" wide BUT the 54+ is 2" deeper. I don't know how much is made up on the height of the gate...I've got both trucks here but it is storming so I'm not going out to measure right now!

04-05-2010, 12:10 PM	#5
53GMC Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Washington, GA Posts: 319	Re: Tailgate Question... Thanks guys! Dan: Im not worried about how the latches or loops are made on the bed to latch the tailgate due to the fact that the bed on my old truck is past its prime by far and those tabs are already broken off anyway.....i can just fab up some more to make the 54 gate work...can you perhaps measure the height of your gate for me? Thanks __________________ 1953 GMC/S 10 Swap http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=357365

04-05-2010, 10:09 PM	#6
Dan Bowles AD Addict Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Blissfield, MI Posts: 822	Re: Tailgate Question... I'll have to check it tomorrow in the daylight. I'll see if I can't get some A/B pictures to show the differences.

04-06-2010, 11:38 AM	#7
Houston54 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: location Posts: 527	Re: Tailgate Question... The tailgate is probably the same width but the height is different as the 54 bed is completely different than the 53. Trying to make a 54 tailgate fit a 53 bed seems wasted effort. Why would you want to do it? Unless you have superb fabrication skills it will probably look kluged together. Just buy a reproduction 48-53 tailgate and be done with it. Last edited by Houston54; 04-06-2010 at 11:38 AM.

04-06-2010, 08:33 PM	#8
Dan Bowles AD Addict Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Blissfield, MI Posts: 822	Re: Tailgate Question... 54/55S1: 19 1/2" x 51" 47-53: 16" x 50" The 54/55S1 trucks have a "step" function at the rear of the bed so the bed is at 50" but each side has a 1/2" into the bed sides. As stated before, the '54 bed is deeper than the older trucks by 2". The mounting system is different as well but I didn't measure diameters. Someone just had a blank GMC tailgate and was looking to swap for one that had the logo on it. Maybe on the HAMB...too many boards with lots of the same faces but not ALL of the same faces!!



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