Art these installed properly? They seem a little sloppy, but they probably were?

 

They look really loose. Are they repros? On my originals, the smooth side of the handle is facing out and they are almost level with the tailgate when they are latched. It looks like they are on backwards, but i'm not really sure how you could make them tighter.

 

They are on for the most part correctly, but the Clasp Should be resting Horizontal against the Front of the Upper Edge of the Tailgate.
That is Why the Rubber Bumper is located where it is.
It is more than likely years of wear & tear that is the reason why it is askew.

 

They are new repo's from Dennis Carpenter. My original set was missing, the gate was just wired up with some bailing wire.

Doesn't seem to be any way to adjust things. My memory is they fit tighter and kind of spring against the gate with the rubber protecting the gate as Col Flashman mentioned.

Any chance they are different between Styleside and stepside chains?

 

NumberDummy could answer that Question Best, though it could be a good possability.

 

I'm glad you asked that question because the chains on mine hang like crap, too. I wondered if I was just latching them wrong. They are original so I guess they're just worn out.

Doesn't matter. I'm replacing them with hidden latches eventually.

 

By looking at the photos it looks as though the latch portions are not fastened correctly. However, at this time I can't seem to form the proper configuration for the latch into words???

 

The link that holds the latch to the bed side is too big. If it were a hair smaller, it would snug it up. It should take a little effort to get the latch to lock int othe tab on the gate, and then the hook keeps iit in like a cotter pin. Don't know how to get it tighter, except by maybe pinching the ring closed some in the middle in an effort to decrease it's over all length. Just a thought.

 

They are made different than mine (different years), but like the others said the latch sits almost level with the top of the gate when closed. Mine takes a little effort to close as well.

I have two sets of the original latches. Both sit level. I have the better (less rusty) set on mine now.

 

I know this is a really old thread, but I just got a set of chains from Dennis Carpenter and have the same results. Anyone have a fix?

 

Also looks like this should be kicked over to the 57-60 forum. Anyone know how to have that done?

 

I can but since this thread was started in 07 when it included these I`m inclined to leave it here. Thoughts?

 

I just don't know if anyone who has had this issue with the 57-60 fleetside chains will see this thread. That's the only reason I ask.

 

I feel that this might be of interest here too but it's not hard to move it, maybe in a few days?

 

ok - sounds good - thanks