Questions about Tailgate Chains - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

jason999 · 07-08-2015, 12:56 PM

Hello,

I am working on getting my old fleetside road ready. I bought chrome plated chains, brackets, and pins for my tailgate. As I have looked around, I have realized that there is metal to metal contact and movement. The result seems to be damaged chrome/paint and rust.

It also seems that the fleet sides tailgates that I have seen don't close as tightly as stepsides so there is more movement/wear?

I am curious if anyone has ever used a more durable coating or finish on the contact points to avoid rust.

I don't have the truck in front of me, but could you use a small square of skateboard type grip tape on the tailgate to protect it from the bracket?

Any ideas on how I could use the chains and avoid damaged finishes and rust?

Thanks,
Jason

Keith Seymore · 07-08-2015, 01:09 PM

Production vehicles, at least during the squarebody era, had a protective rubber sleeve over the chain.

K

1963c-10 · 07-08-2015, 01:13 PM

There are two pieces of rubber per chain that help with this. One for the latch and one for the chain. I have a good pic somewhere....give me a few minutes

1963c-10 · 07-08-2015, 01:21 PM

Here you go. The rubbers are still available.

Photo credit: Hotfun

chevyrestoguy · 07-08-2015, 03:46 PM

A section of bicycle inner tube works well, also.

HOTFUN · 07-08-2015, 05:00 PM

1963c10 I remember that picture ,I bought that lone take off chain years ago off eBay.

1963c-10 · 07-08-2015, 05:05 PM

I copied it awhile back off the forum....remembering the detail about it being an early take off, but could not find the original link for who to credit with the pic. I have used it several times for reference to an original chain and hardware (as recent as a week ago). I'll be sure to credit you when I use it again. Thanks!!!

HOTFUN · 07-08-2015, 06:16 PM

Wasn't my picture it was whoever sold me the chain. No need for any credit here. Thanks, Mark

oem4me · 07-08-2015, 07:13 PM

As far as paint protection goes, the small rubber piece that fits at the fulcrum point on the latch is everything. The stud length should be adjusted in or out and fixed using the stop nut against the body, eliminating any slop at the pin.
Properly adjusted hardware along with good rubber makes for a rattle free and paint safe tailgate.

jason999 · 07-08-2015, 10:46 PM

Great information! Thanks!!

I have been looking around at car shows and saw a couple of rough chain/pin/tailgate action. I noticed that one stepside looked great and had no slop with the pin in.

My truck came to me with no tailgate in place so I didn't understand that you could adjust the stud length.

No I just hope that my chrome will hold up ok. I think I saw stainless hardware, but I had already ordered chrome.....

Thanks for the information!

07-08-2015, 12:56 PM	#1
jason999 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Knoxville Posts: 166	Questions about Tailgate Chains Hello, I am working on getting my old fleetside road ready. I bought chrome plated chains, brackets, and pins for my tailgate. As I have looked around, I have realized that there is metal to metal contact and movement. The result seems to be damaged chrome/paint and rust. It also seems that the fleet sides tailgates that I have seen don't close as tightly as stepsides so there is more movement/wear? I am curious if anyone has ever used a more durable coating or finish on the contact points to avoid rust. I don't have the truck in front of me, but could you use a small square of skateboard type grip tape on the tailgate to protect it from the bracket? Any ideas on how I could use the chains and avoid damaged finishes and rust? Thanks, Jason

07-08-2015, 01:09 PM	#2
Keith Seymore Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Motor City Posts: 9,178	Re: Questions about Tailgate Chains Production vehicles, at least during the squarebody era, had a protective rubber sleeve over the chain. K __________________ Chevrolet Flint Assembly 1979-1986 GM Full Size Truck Engineering 1986 - 2019 Intro from an Old Assembly Guy: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=342926 My Pontiac story: http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...d.php?t=560524 Chevelle intro: http://www.superchevy.com/features/s...hevy-chevelle/

07-08-2015, 01:13 PM	#3
1963c-10 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: fayetteville nc Posts: 10,338	Re: Questions about Tailgate Chains There are two pieces of rubber per chain that help with this. One for the latch and one for the chain. I have a good pic somewhere....give me a few minutes __________________ 1963 Short bed step side SBW 427 big block and borg warner T-16 HD 3 speed manual http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=519869 1963 Short bed fleetside BBW 348 1st gen big block w/Powerglide http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=619024 1964 Short bed trailer

07-08-2015, 01:21 PM	#4
1963c-10 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: fayetteville nc Posts: 10,338	Re: Questions about Tailgate Chains Here you go. The rubbers are still available. Photo credit: Hotfun Attached Images __________________ 1963 Short bed step side SBW 427 big block and borg warner T-16 HD 3 speed manual http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=519869 1963 Short bed fleetside BBW 348 1st gen big block w/Powerglide http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=619024 1964 Short bed trailer Last edited by 1963c-10; 07-08-2015 at 05:06 PM.

07-08-2015, 03:46 PM	#5
chevyrestoguy Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: apple valley, ca Posts: 2,670	Re: Questions about Tailgate Chains A section of bicycle inner tube works well, also. __________________ Check out my latest endeavor: https://roundsixpod.com My build threads: '55 Chevy: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=247512 '64 C-20: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=446527

07-08-2015, 05:00 PM	#6
HOTFUN Registered User Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Lincoln, Nebraska Posts: 2,144	Re: Questions about Tailgate Chains 1963c10 I remember that picture ,I bought that lone take off chain years ago off eBay. __________________ '66 CST BBW swb fleet 327 fac ac '67 CST 4x4 swb 327 stepside project '72 Cheyenne K20 50k original '72 Cheyenne Super K20 project '73 Sierra swb 4x4 frame off in paint stage '74 Cheyenne Super swb w/16k actual '71 & 72 Cheyenne K10 4x4 swb's '70 426 HEMICUDA conv SHAKER 4 sp Dana 60 '60 Impala conv 327 PG fac ac loaded 3rd owner '72 GMC K2500 4x4 '59 Apache CST BBW fleetside swb 283 '73 ElCamino SS LS1 T56 true SS bucket tach '76 ElCamino SS 52k survivor '87 Grand National 41k True 2nd to last built in 1987. '86 K30 454 SRW fleetside CA since new '88 Trans Am GTA 39k bought new 2018 DEMON plum crazy @ 840HP! "Need for speed"

07-08-2015, 05:05 PM	#7
1963c-10 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: fayetteville nc Posts: 10,338	Re: Questions about Tailgate Chains I copied it awhile back off the forum....remembering the detail about it being an early take off, but could not find the original link for who to credit with the pic. I have used it several times for reference to an original chain and hardware (as recent as a week ago). I'll be sure to credit you when I use it again. Thanks!!! __________________ 1963 Short bed step side SBW 427 big block and borg warner T-16 HD 3 speed manual http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=519869 1963 Short bed fleetside BBW 348 1st gen big block w/Powerglide http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=619024 1964 Short bed trailer

07-08-2015, 06:16 PM	#8
HOTFUN Registered User Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Lincoln, Nebraska Posts: 2,144	Re: Questions about Tailgate Chains Wasn't my picture it was whoever sold me the chain. No need for any credit here. Thanks, Mark __________________ '66 CST BBW swb fleet 327 fac ac '67 CST 4x4 swb 327 stepside project '72 Cheyenne K20 50k original '72 Cheyenne Super K20 project '73 Sierra swb 4x4 frame off in paint stage '74 Cheyenne Super swb w/16k actual '71 & 72 Cheyenne K10 4x4 swb's '70 426 HEMICUDA conv SHAKER 4 sp Dana 60 '60 Impala conv 327 PG fac ac loaded 3rd owner '72 GMC K2500 4x4 '59 Apache CST BBW fleetside swb 283 '73 ElCamino SS LS1 T56 true SS bucket tach '76 ElCamino SS 52k survivor '87 Grand National 41k True 2nd to last built in 1987. '86 K30 454 SRW fleetside CA since new '88 Trans Am GTA 39k bought new 2018 DEMON plum crazy @ 840HP! "Need for speed"

07-08-2015, 07:13 PM	#9
oem4me Registered User Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Burbank CA Posts: 3,055	Re: Questions about Tailgate Chains As far as paint protection goes, the small rubber piece that fits at the fulcrum point on the latch is everything. The stud length should be adjusted in or out and fixed using the stop nut against the body, eliminating any slop at the pin. Properly adjusted hardware along with good rubber makes for a rattle free and paint safe tailgate.

07-08-2015, 10:46 PM	#10
jason999 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Knoxville Posts: 166	Re: Questions about Tailgate Chains Great information! Thanks!! I have been looking around at car shows and saw a couple of rough chain/pin/tailgate action. I noticed that one stepside looked great and had no slop with the pin in. My truck came to me with no tailgate in place so I didn't understand that you could adjust the stud length. No I just hope that my chrome will hold up ok. I think I saw stainless hardware, but I had already ordered chrome..... Thanks for the information!



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