Tailgate Problems...

[nyamwegi]

Vile or someone please help me out here

I have a 1975 Chevrolet Fleetside pickup

I bought a tailgate from a guy on craigslist.

Tailgate looks to be correct, pretty sure it's the right one for the truck.

My problem is that the driver's side has a round socket that couples with the tailgate and they don't fit together. In fact, they measure about the exact same size so I'm trying to figure out which one goes inside the other. See pics below. Thanks...

[Captkaos]

1973-1974 trucks did not have a removable tailgate without unbolting it.  1975 was the first year for the tailgate which requires no tools to remove.
What year did the tailgate come from?  Do you still have your tailgate?  You should be able to swap the pieces out and it work.

[nyamwegi]

I do not have my old tailgate, unfortunately. Is the tailgate in the pic an earlier one? You can see in the pics I don't even have the tailgate stops on the truck.

Is there any way to make this one work?

[VileZambonie]

You have the earlier hardware on your truck and the later hardware on your gate. They changed hardware in 1981 for the tailgate. You can get the new hardware for the bedsides from some of the online truck restoration sites or from the dealer. (or junk yard) Just look for a later truck like a 1986

[HAULIN IT]

Yes, That is a '81-up gate (lip on the bottom, not rolled), isn't there something with the support straps that is a little different also? Lorne

[Captkaos]

The tailgate is from 81-up.
Your truck bed is definitely a 73-80 based on the upper guide hole location, but the bumper mount below it makes me think it is the 73-74 (early 75) version.  The right side mount will reveal it.
can you post a pic of the Passenger side tailgate hinge on the bed. 

[Blazin]

Pre 81 gates had CHEVROLET all the way across them. instead of off the the right side like yours. The support arms are longer on the older gates as well.

[Captkaos]

73-74 - do not have the quick release option and the metal is rolled around.  The hinge mount is screwed into the gate and the latch portion is separate, and the guide is a separate mount up high

75-76 - has the same latch assembly as the 73-74, they have a decorative reveal around the recesses portion on the outside AND they quick release design, and the lower portion is split.

77-80 - The only difference between the 75-76 and the 77-80 are the latch assemblies.  They latch, guide and hinge mount are together on one bracket.

81+ gates are all the same, and look like the green one above.

Jeff and I compiled a list and I am looking for it...  Maybe I can find the pics.

Otherwise, if you got any of these versions email me a pic and I will compose a tech topic on the diffs.

[VileZambonie]

http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=6065.0

[Captkaos]

there it is...

[nyamwegi]

Is there an "easy" way to make this one work? I know vile said just get the hardware off another truck but I'm wondering if I'm gonna run into problems on anything else with the latch or what-have-you. It's so close it would almost look like you could do something to make it fit.

[VileZambonie]

No it won't fit right. the gate would bounce around make noise and probably fall off. There is a website that sells an entire kit with the latches, hinges, etc that will make it fit just right. I did this on my 74 because I have old bedsides with the newer style gate.

[nyamwegi]

Any chance you have a link to that website?

[VileZambonie]

read your pm's

[Captkaos]

We have the 76-80 version along with a complete latch kit.  It just isn't in the online catalog yet.