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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => 73-87 Chevy & GMC Trucks => Topic started by: nucknoel89 on June 07, 2012, 07:50:42 pm

Title: How do I remove a stepside tailgate?
Post by: nucknoel89 on June 07, 2012, 07:50:42 pm
Hey guys, I'm trying to get my stepside tailgate off but I can't figure out how.  There's a bolt on each side where it pivots, but when I try to loosen them the round thing they're threaded into just spins.  Any ideas?
Title: Re: How do I remove a stepside tailgate?
Post by: bake74 on June 07, 2012, 09:13:15 pm
     Is the part that spins look like it is suppose to be solid and the bolt unscrews from this piece ?  Do you see where it has broke and is free now.
Title: Re: How do I remove a stepside tailgate?
Post by: nucknoel89 on June 07, 2012, 11:46:13 pm
Maybe you can tell from the pics.  My tailgate is a bit haggered (taking it off to fix/customize it).  This is the side that's more exposed.  There's that groove that you see there and a small hole in the bottom of the tailgate.  I thought maybe you're supposed to stick a screwdriver in the hole through to the groove to hold it but it didn't seem to help.  I was planning to disassemble and put a new skin on it anyway, so I guess my last resort is to drill out the spot welds and take it off in pieces.
(http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c40/nucknoel89/Abbotsford-20120607-00042.jpg)
(http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c40/nucknoel89/Abbotsford-20120607-00043.jpg)
Title: Re: How do I remove a stepside tailgate?
Post by: jt1200r on June 08, 2012, 07:38:26 am
you have to hold that part(trunnion) with a screwdriver or vise grips(if they fit) then turn the bolt out.put some nuts off on it also
Title: Re: How do I remove a stepside tailgate?
Post by: bake74 on June 08, 2012, 09:58:07 am
you have to hold that part(trunnion) with a screwdriver or vise grips(if they fit) then turn the bolt out.put some nuts off on it also

     As jt1200r said, the trunnion needs to be held, usually a small pair of needle nose vise grips if they are really stuck works.