Tail gate removal with a rollpan

[kell490]

I bought a 67 SWB which I'm in the process of doing a ground up restoration. Anyway it has a roll pan installed where the rear bumper is and it looks like the roll pan was welded in. I cut 2 spot welds attaching the lower part to each rear fender, but how did they weld the top and get the lower tail gate bolts in. I can't see how they did it unless they just had someone hold the tail gate open some and use a mig welder letting the wire feed down into the gap spot welding it to the rear of the bed. I might have to cut some notches in the roll pan to get to the lower bolts. I probably will have to replace the roll pan if I do that. Any ideas how you to get the tail gate off?

[76kcfdeng]

Mine had both bolts in and it was a pain in the a$$ to get them out. Had to use several extensions with a swivel on my ratchet and a little bending of metal to get it off. I got it off but ended up removing the rollpan anyway because I want a bumper.
Good luck!

[kell490]

Thanks for the reply's I ended up doing what you did 3/8's swivel and 9/16" socket while using a pry bar to bend the roll pan down. I'm sure that's what the person that installed it did then they welded it the bottom to the fenders. I plan on using the roll pan again but I will figure out a way to install it with screws or bolts. With a lowered truck 6" back 4" front lowered I think the roll pan looks better.