Killa here.

I'm doing some rust repair on the truck and have made my way to the tailgate. (I also started at the tailgate!) As you can see in the pictures below, my tailgate is held in place with bungee cord. I saw a 49 a few weeks ago and it had a circular piece attached to the side of the bed that intersected with the hole in the tailgate when closed. I assumed that my truck had the same but I don't see any mounting holes for that kind of piece. What holds/ held the tailgate up on these trucks when they came from the factory?

Also, if you look at the area of the bed that is below the notch for the ring attached to the top of the tailgate, the metal is missing maybe 1/4 of the way from the top. Is that normal? I've searched for an illustration of an intact tailgate and assocaited bed sections with little success. Thanks for the help.

 

That raggedy notch in the bed side where the tailgate tab sits is where the PO cut out the mating tab. There is no bolting in of a mating tab here, you will need to weld a tab in place. Depending on your welding skills this could be a simple job.
If you don't care about keeping the latch in the stock configuration, there are many custom treatments that work and make the tailgate area much cleaner...not to mention the elimination of the clanking tailgate chains.

 

I'm def not opposed to a cleaner custom treatment. But I'd like to weight the cost of the difference. Is there an aftermarket provider that carries the piece that was cut out or is this something I'll need to fab? Thanks for the info

 

No big deal. (Depending on your skill level). I think any piece of 1/4" steel has the correct part hidden in it. You just have to get it to come out!
LMC Truck - Shopping Cart
look at item 17 on page 25 I think this is the part you want. Just call and ask or send the photo via E mail.

Marty

 

come to think about it that may be the part you have. better call and make sure.

 

Marty - this is a piece from the tailgate assembly - and you are correct, Killa has this already. You're PO carved this off your truck - for reasons known only to him - and left you with a fab/weld project that Charlie pointed out. Good luck.

 

That LMC part is for a 48 - early 50, you need to go to the next page. I think all you need is the eye and a set of chains to make it work?