Tell an idiot how to remove a fleetside tailgate

[Slowtruk]

Yeah I searched lol, but for some reason I cant figure out how to remove my tailgate on my 65 fleetside. I see the shafts it pivots on, I can remove both bolts on each shaft, but its not like a new tailgate, to where one side just lifts off the shaft through a slit in the housing on the tailgte.

Am I crazy? I want to remove the bed and this is holding me up!

[454stepside]

you have to remove at least one of the pivot points by removing the two bolts that hold it on

[Slowtruk]

Thanks, but how do you do that? Looks like my tailgate is pretty tight between the bed sides. Dont think I could get it far enough to one side to remove on of them

[454stepside]

the side you on bolt you will need to lift up not pull out its a pain and easier if you have two ppl

[Notch1988]

The trunnions that the gate pivots on are just bolted flush to the sides. I had to unbolt both to get the gate off... and in the process snapped all four bolts off. I would recommend two people.

[Slowtruk]

Well, I got it off, but I REALLY dont see how you can remove the tailgate without extreme damage to the bedsides or at the MINIMUM paint chipping to both the gate and bedsides.

A SUPER POOR DESIGN. This makes me really concerned about how I'm going to get it back on after paint and bodywork and a new tailgate. WHat a piece of **** design

[wutnxt]

It's a bit of a issue thats for sure......but i always put the gate in after it's painted. I find that you have to be in a great mood, use 2 people,and tape all the out edges prior to dropping it in. The other thing i learned is to make sure the box opening is square....so if your doing the body work you have to check the gate to the opening just like when you do a door when you put new rockers in. After you do it a few times it gets easier if that helps......oh I also learned that adding the wrong rear roll pan to the mix can make it a real challenge to get the gate on and off....

[protrash64]

I've pulled them a few times and they are a pain. I also second two people if possible. I always lift one side up about 30* to slide the trunion down into the slot. I then rotate the high side of the tailgate down in while keeping it in a slightly open position. I tape the trunions to the tailgate so as not to lose them in the process. Also set up something to set the gate on when it does finally get in the slots correctly.

Glad none of my trucks has nice paint!!

[Slow Build]

Originally Posted by wutnxt

......oh I also learned that adding the wrong rear roll pan to the mix can make it a real challenge to get the gate on and off....

Thanks for mentioning that. I hadn't thought about it before.

[shrunken66stroker]

I've been thinking about this lately because I just put a roll pan in and I had to take in off and put it on about 5 times. When my truck is painted I'll probably have two people helping me put the gate on. One to guide it on the trunion, one to push out on the bedside so it will slide down a little easier and I'll be the one with sphincter clinched trying to slide it down into place without chipping the paint.

[Slowtruk]

Originally Posted by shrunken66stroker

I've been thinking about this lately because I just put a roll pan in and I had to take in off and put it on about 5 times. When my truck is painted I'll probably have two people helping me put the gate on. One to guide it on the trunion, one to push out on the bedside so it will slide down a little easier and I'll be the one with sphincter clinched trying to slide it down into place without chipping the paint.

[wutnxt]

shrunken66stroker

"I'll be the one with sphincter clinched trying to slide it down into place without chipping the paint. "
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Cracks up..okay that was funny

[shrunken66stroker]

Also, rounding off the sharp edges on the trunion bracket will probably help it slide and keep from scratching the paint.