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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Body, Glass & Paint => Topic started by: nicholas.merenda on June 08, 2014, 09:30:54 pm

Title: Tailgate Trunnion Issue
Post by: nicholas.merenda on June 08, 2014, 09:30:54 pm
Hello everyone. I joined this forum because I myself have a square body, but also because I'm having an issue that seemed appropriate to post here. I own a 1984 Chevrolet CUCV M1028 (aka K30). When I got the truck it did not have a tailgate. I know there are differences in tailgates during 73-91 so instead of trying finding one that works I decided to purchase a mil surp tailgate from another CUCV. Now the gov only ordered CUCVs from '84-'86. How could I go wrong with another CUCV gate right? Well I went to go slide it on today, only to notice the trunnions on the bed are the same exact size as the hinges on the gate. I even measured to be sure and they all share a 1.5 inch diameter. My question is was there ever a difference in trunnion sizes? The hinges on the gate appear to be original but I can not tell with the trunnions. I can only assume that a previous owner swapped trunnions to install a different gate. Any light shed on this situation is much appreciated.

Video I posted of the gate: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10152397178389404&set=o.79151299456&type=2&theater

 - Nicholas
Title: Re: Tailgate Trunnion Issue
Post by: bake74 on June 09, 2014, 07:53:10 am
     First off welcome to the site.  Here is a link to  tailgate identification (http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=15684.0) in our tech section that might help some.
     I could not find the thread that I was looking for that talked about the trunnions, but I am sure someone will chime in.
Title: Re: Tailgate Trunnion Issue
Post by: blazing816 on June 09, 2014, 08:28:57 am
Mine were jack up on my truck (dented, bent, rusted) so I just bought a new set, both for tailgate and truck side. They work great, made leave out all the guessing.
Title: Re: Tailgate Trunnion Issue
Post by: nicholas.merenda on June 09, 2014, 11:31:47 pm
I'll probably just do that and save myself the headache. Just really weird to me.
Title: Re: Tailgate Trunnion Issue
Post by: VileZambonie on June 15, 2014, 06:30:30 pm
You need the 81-87 ones that bolt onto the bed. The ones on the gate are correct for the year.