Author Topic: tailgate swap  (Read 3778 times)

Offline seventy5GMC

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tailgate swap
« on: June 24, 2017, 06:51:54 PM »
Hi folks,
 I have a 1975 GMC sierra base C25 2WD. unfortunately it came with a post 1981 Chevy bed. I am thinking of getting a GMC tailgate. anybody know if a pre 81 tailgate will fit on a post 81 bed?? or will that look ridiculous? should I stay with a post 81 gmc tailgate, or maybe no logo at all
thanks,

Offline LTZ C20

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Re: tailgate swap
« Reply #1 on: June 24, 2017, 07:13:29 PM »
it will fit.

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Offline seventy5GMC

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Re: tailgate swap
« Reply #2 on: June 24, 2017, 07:34:24 PM »
thanks bud

Offline VileZambonie

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Re: tailgate swap
« Reply #3 on: June 24, 2017, 08:04:02 PM »
You will need to change some hardware. The 73-74 GMC gate is different than 75-76. The logo was on the upper left part of the gate on the 73-74 and they all had the fingers that went into the opening in the bed. The hinges, trunions and latches are different. The early gates do not come off without unbolting them as well. Whichever gate you go with just get the associated hardware and you may need to cut the opening slots in the bed to accept the fingers on the tailgate if you choose that design. We have a few threads on tailgate differences.
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74 GMC, 75 K5, 84 GMC, 85 K20, 86 k20, 79 K10

Offline Captkaos

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Re: tailgate swap
« Reply #4 on: July 19, 2017, 08:42:38 PM »
There is a whole post on this, and as Vile Stated there are things that will work and some that won't.
http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=6065.0

Offline VileZambonie

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Re: tailgate swap
« Reply #5 on: July 20, 2017, 05:58:13 AM »
I forgot to mention that 73-74 uses different links as well. Another notable difference is that the lugs for the links are integral to the gate on early designs whereas the later ones are part of the latch assembly. The best thing to do is:

A) Identify what year gate you have
B) Get ALL of the applicable hardware for that year gate

Another thing I've noticed is the 73-80 gates are fatter at the bottom and have less wiggle room to get perfect body lines without extra work.
,                           ___ 
                         /  _ _ _\_
              ⌠¯¯¯¯¯'   [☼===☼]
              `()_);-;()_)--o--)_)

74 GMC, 75 K5, 84 GMC, 85 K20, 86 k20, 79 K10

Offline Captkaos

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Re: tailgate swap
« Reply #6 on: July 20, 2017, 08:11:07 AM »
So I just looked at the link I posted and it is not the thread I created on Tailgate ID.  Apparently the one I created got deleted and this one got moved to tech.
I guess I need to upload it again.

Offline Irish_Alley

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Re: tailgate swap
« Reply #7 on: July 20, 2017, 10:29:49 AM »
i know it doesnt help you right now chris but heres the link for your missing thread http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=15684.0
If you can’t tell yourself the truth, who can you tell it to?~Irish_Alley

When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth ~Sherlock Holmes

Offline Captkaos

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Re: tailgate swap
« Reply #8 on: July 20, 2017, 01:20:22 PM »
Yep.  I save it as a reference...

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