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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Body, Glass & Paint => Topic started by: seventy5GMC on June 24, 2017, 06:51:54 pm

Title: tailgate swap
Post by: seventy5GMC 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,

Title: Re: tailgate swap
Post by: LTZ C20 on June 24, 2017, 07:13:29 pm

it will fit.

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Title: Re: tailgate swap
Post by: seventy5GMC on June 24, 2017, 07:34:24 pm

thanks bud

Title: Re: tailgate swap
Post by: VileZambonie 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.

Title: Re: tailgate swap
Post by: Captkaos 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

Title: Re: tailgate swap
Post by: VileZambonie 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.

Title: Re: tailgate swap
Post by: Captkaos 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.

Title: Re: tailgate swap
Post by: Irish_Alley 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

Title: Re: tailgate swap
Post by: Captkaos on July 20, 2017, 01:20:22 pm

Yep.  I save it as a reference...

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