I have considered using bicycle inner tubes and heat shrinking them after installing them. Does that make any sense?

 

I have used bicycle inner tube. I don't know about the heat shrinking though, I don't think bicycle inner tube works like real heat shrink.

 

Midfifty sells replacements...that's what I'm using.

 

Try clear plastic tubing. 1 inch ID should work. It's thicker than regular shields or inflatable tubes and will hold a shape, even in the heat.

 

I bought Dennis Carpenter's, which has covers very much like stock. Note that there are supposed to be drain holes every so often (one where the bottom of the loop is in particular). No way you're going to keep water out, so need a way to get it out.

 

Do the DC covers have "made in China" on them?

JB

 

Not that I've seen. I'm not sure I even got them from DC directly, may have been Macs or C&G. More of DC's stuff is Made in USA than anyone else's.

 

I got the ribbed ones from either LMC or Mac's can't remember which one. But they sold two different diameter sizes and I got the small ones for a neater look.
At first I didn't think they would fit over the chains. But I put bearing grease on the chains, and warmed up the rubber covers in the sun. With LOTS of pulling, tugging and some creative and colorful bad words, they fit. If my neighbors saw me doing that task out in the driveway, they would have called the cops thinking I was insane and swinging a weapon around while doing something perverted. After cleaning myself and the chains up, they looked AWESOME. I'm glad I went with the smaller diameter. Ribbed ones look real stock, are rugged enough to survive my 'installation' has drain holes and everything. They will last 50 years.
I recall they were priced pretty good too.

Tom

 

Never thought about the bike tubes - my covers need replacement and that may be a very cost effective solution with some old tubes that are here in the garage.

 

Thanks for all the responses, I like the idea of putting bearing grease on the chains, that may keep them from rusting. I still think that rubber shrinks when heated so I may go with the bike inner tubes.
Thanks to all that responded.

 

This was my solution to tailgate chains.

 

I used the black hyd hose protective covering on my dad's truck. I think It's nylon, just use it like a hose, and it comes in a variety of diameters at any good hyd shop. Cut it to any length you want. And virtually indestructible.

Tom

 

That looks really nice and clean!

 

Bill, where did you get those?

 

The short answer is that I got a few pieces at a junk yard, made some pieces and purchased new some pieces. There is no "kit". The cables which are available from parts stores are replacement cables for newer pickups-various lengths for different pickups. The pivot attached to the bedside came from a junkyard. I fabricated other pieces to attach the other end of the cable to the tailgate and support pieces to attach the junkyard "procured" pivot. IIRC the latches are marine latches.
Careful location of the pieces is very important. Somewhere on an older thread I had additional pix of the installation.