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Tailgate hardware?
Post by dxeflyr on Oct 25, 2006, 2:00am

Finally got a tailgate this week. The problem is, the metal tabs normally welded to the back of the bed to secure the gate are missing on my truck. Are they available? Has anyone else had this problem?
Re: Tailgate hardware?
Post by 40grit on Oct 25, 2006, 2:14am

If I think I know what you are talking about, they bolt on the rear of the bed
Re: Tailgate hardware?
Post by dxeflyr on Oct 25, 2006, 2:25am

I think they're welded; they were on the truck I pulled the gate from. They look like they were cut off of my truck.
Re: Tailgate hardware?
Post by gimpyrobb on Oct 25, 2006, 8:49am

Why did you cut them off your truck?
Re: Tailgate hardware?
Post by robertcowan on Oct 25, 2006, 9:01am

THERE BOLTED FROM THE FACTORY WITH 2 BOLTS EACH. CALL VINTAGE POWER WAGONS THEY GOT EM.
BOB
Re: Tailgate hardware?
Post by brute4c on Oct 25, 2006, 10:02am

They are listed on the VPW price list as follows:

Tailgate hinge, upper $24.00 ea
Tailgate hinge, lower $24.00ea
Tailgate hinge pin $10.00 ea
Re: Tailgate hardware?
Post by bluesman2a on Oct 25, 2006, 10:26am


Oct 25, 2006, 10:02am, brute4c wrote:
They are listed on the VPW price list as follows:

Tailgate hinge, upper $24.00 ea
Tailgate hinge, lower $24.00ea
Tailgate hinge pin $10.00 ea


Dang!!! For $58, you can bet your sweet bottom I can make some REALLY serious replacement hinges...

Just go buy a length of .75" OD DOM tube .120 wall. Cut it and use a 1/2 bolt. weld it and call her good... Total cost about $5 each and some time with a welder.
Re: Tailgate hardware?
Post by Barrman on Oct 25, 2006, 10:53am

Guys, I think Bill needed the latch plate at the top of the gate to hold the chains and keep the tail gate up.

Bill,
My tail gate latches were welded on and then ground off by the fire department. I just happen to have a completely stock truck in my class right now with the stock tail gate. The latches are welded on this one too. I do not know of a source for them off hand. They look like they would be made from some angle iron easily enough though. I don't have a camera here right now, but might Thursday. If you need pictures and measurements, let me know.

Herb,
Here is a shot of the hinges I made for my custom tailgate last year. I used the stock hinges dimensions, so the bottom half should be the same as a stock one. Just thicker.
[image]
Re: Tailgate hardware?
Post by kwai on Oct 25, 2006, 11:17am

The tabs used to latch the tailgate are welded on. Look to be about 3/8 steel.
Re: Tailgate hardware?
Post by dxeflyr on Oct 25, 2006, 11:37am

Tim: that's exactly what I meant. I spent 12 hours driving to LA yesterday and my mind was a little fuzzy when I got in. If you could take some pics, I would certainly appreciate it. I'll whip some new latches up down at the hangar.
Re: Tailgate hardware?
Post by kwai on Oct 25, 2006, 11:45am

Tim, How are those bumperettes working out for you? Looks like you got them mounted.


Re: Tailgate hardware?
Post by seanjames on Oct 25, 2006, 11:51am

I think he means the braket at the top of the bed were the chain is connected and the tail gate is secured in the upright position.

it can be seen in this picture, though not the best angle
[image]

Sean
Re: Tailgate hardware?
Post by dxeflyr on Oct 25, 2006, 11:53am

Sean: that's what I meant, although your pic is showing the little red "x".
Re: Tailgate hardware?
Post by seanjames on Oct 25, 2006, 11:55am

I was having trouble getting the pic the way I wanted, let me know if it works now.

Oh and if you click on the picture once and then again after it loads you will get the high res version. Well at least that is how it is supposed to work.
Re: Tailgate hardware?
Post by dxeflyr on Oct 25, 2006, 11:59am

Pic working now. Yep, the upper latch that secures the gate closed and holds the chain.
Re: Tailgate hardware?
Post by bluesman2a on Oct 25, 2006, 12:40pm


Oct 25, 2006, 10:53am, Barrman wrote:

Herb,
Here is a shot of the hinges I made for my custom tailgate last year. I used the stock hinges dimensions, so the bottom half should be the same as a stock one. Just thicker.
[image]


Now THAT's what I'm talkin' 'bout Willis... for the kind of $'s they want for a replacement, I'd just as soon spend a little time and get something better (i.e. now you can take the tailgate off very easily with just a couple bolts!
Re: Tailgate hardware?
Post by Barrman on Oct 25, 2006, 12:49pm

A few things still have to fall into place for me to get the camera to my room, but Thursday is still looking good for that.

Steve, the bumperettes and shackles really set the truck off, thanks again. I came back from the ranch with 4 bumperettes. I don't remember who I got which ones from. I just know that two are on the truck and two are in my room getting cleaned up still. I have a guy at work bringing me a 7" channel length tomorrow. Then I just need to cut the shackle slots in it to complete the front and back ends.
Re: Tailgate hardware?
Post by BinfordM715 on Oct 26, 2006, 12:32am

Here ya go, Bill. I think this is what you're after:

[image]



[image]



[image]


That's on the passenger side. Driver's side is a mirror image, as you probably guessed! <img src=" border="0"/>
Re: Tailgate hardware?
Post by over2land on Oct 26, 2006, 2:50am

Nice night time pics Timmah!

Once again, as much as I think my truck was trashed when I got it...

little things like this make me happy with my lucky choice.
Re: Tailgate hardware?
Post by Barrman on Oct 26, 2006, 9:26am

Here are the measurements to go along with the pictures.

1-3/4" side to side x 2-1/2"

The tab below his quarter is 1-1/4" from the bed to the end of it. The chain hole is 1/2" diameter in the middle of it.

The angle on the top of the hook side starts 2-3/8" from the bottom. (I measured from where the bottom would be if the little 3/8" on each side notch hadn't been there.)

The slot for the hook is just a hair over 1". Just make it exactly the same as the slot in your tailgate. Matter of fact, you should make it from the tailgate slot so it lines up right anyway.
Re: Tailgate hardware?
Post by dxeflyr on Oct 26, 2006, 6:51pm

Thanks a lot for your efforts, Tim! I really appreciate it. I will go down to the hangar and get a couple of these cranked out next week. Thanks again!
Re: Tailgate hardware?
Post by grantshire on Oct 29, 2006, 8:35pm

Care to make an
extra set? I have the same issue; the fire department that modified mine cut them off my bed as well (also hung about 500 pounds of standing boardsoff the back as well).

We have cleaned up all the FD add-ons and it looks like a M715 again. I have one of Bob's heavy duty tailgates but I only have weld remnants where the latch hardware used to be.
Re: Tailgate hardware?
Post by dxeflyr on Oct 29, 2006, 9:54pm

I will see what I can do next week when I get back to working on trucks. This week we are putting an annual inspection on a T-6 Texan (airplane) and it looks as if a lot of the serviceable/replacement items are original 1941 vintage, haha. I am up to my ears in really, really old grease.