Tailgate Question

[chriscumminsdiesel]

My 91 dually has a removable tailgate, but the owners manual said it didn't come that way. Does that mean I can replace with any other series gate?

 

[TKingsbury]

My 91 has a lift off tailgate. I originally replaced mine with a gate off an '83, but ended up trading that for a gate off of a '90 with the Cummins Turbo Diesel emblem on it.

Travis. .

 

[bgilbert]

You can use a tailgate from at least 81-93 Dodge fullsize pickups. I'm sure you could go older if wanted. 94+, I'm sure thats a negatory. Takes about 5-10 seconds to remove the tailgate too. Open it, get it about a 45*angle, remove the metal supports at each side.

 

[tgbol]

A cheapy anti-theft device to slow down a tailgate thief is to put a hose clamp around the hinge that slides up. Learned this the hard way. Had a tailgate stolen off of a 79 GMC.

 

[jrjuday]

They're all removable IF you forget to drop the tailgate before driving away from your gooseneck trailer. Don't ask me how I know this bit of information!

 

[MMiller]

Hey guys, can't use a gait of a 72-79 dodge as they use a completely differnent latch mechanism. I can't say I have ever run across one that isnt removable, especially with a gooseneck. I got my truck stopped, but it still took a hit. It took alot of life out of the gate. Then when I hauled a dana 60 front with tires on it setting on the gate, the gate tweaked some more. Needless to say my 93 has been gateless for a couple of years now. My 90 is gateless to, one of the hinge pins broke off while the PO was driving down the road.



My 75 is the only truck I own with a gate, and its still straight. Probably because the truck doesn't have a gooseneck hitch in it.



Michael

 

[BushWakr - RIP]

Hey tgbol, that's a great anti-theft tip. I have heard of these tailgates going missing before. I think Saddog had that happen to him too... took forever to get a replacement from DC. .



pb. .



edit: tgbol, at the top our our 1st gen forum is a thread titled "best tips"... .

How about going in there and posting this one of yours for the new guys...



bob.

 

[chriscumminsdiesel]

Hey Guys,Found a tailgate off an 86 at Hut Stricklins junkyard. He has a few 1st gen trucks,but no diesel models.

 

[AMikonis]

Hey tgbol, that's a great anti-theft tip. I have heard of these tailgates going missing before. I think Saddog had that happen to him too... took forever to get a replacement from DC. .



pb. .



edit: tgbol, at the top our our 1st gen forum is a thread titled "best tips"... .

How about going in there and posting this one of yours for the new guys...



bob.

The hose clamp deal won't work on a 92ish tailgate. Tried that when someone attempted to steal mine. The reason is the edges of the 1/2 "tube" on the tailgate (part that fits over/on the pin on the truck) are crimped and welded to the front and rear skins of the tailgate. Therefore, you can't get the hose clamp around it. Will figure something out one of these days when I have time.



Andy

 

[Headshot zod]

are any of the other year tailgates somewhat smooth? I might be getting an ad-wrap or vinyl so I need a tailgate that is fairly smooth. I know the cheapo replacement doesn't have the "DODGE" on it. Any ideas?

 

[dpuckett]

PO of my 91 had an airflow tailgate that he'd kept off his Ford he had before, and moved the latch pins on the bed; they adjust like the door striker bolts. Could you take some sheet metal and weld it to the middle of the gate, smooth it out like that? (It CAN be done; I've welded some really thin stuff, and some of it wasnt even rusty). If you're getting it repainted or covered up... ...



Andy- I saw a tialgate lock in a catalog somewhere- maybe my g/f's boss's shop. Next time I see it, I'll make a note of where. You may not see the guy next time, or he may be as big as we are



Daniel