Anybody had any probs with the hidden tailgate latches. Installed them in my 55 Ford. Install went fine. Drill 3 holes in the tailgate. Dremmel a little out. Latches fit fine. Look good.

Matching it up to the bed. Not so good. It looks like it goes right were the the stack pocket and bed join. Tailgate is pretty flush seated to the bed. I dont wanna drill a 1/2 " hole right there so the spring loaded stud can seat into the bed. Bed is brand new. Tailgate is brand new. Dont think anything is off kilter Anybody got any suggestions? I was thinking I could grind the spring loaded stud flat(It has a little pointy nipple to it). Weld a little metal piece to the bed as to stop the stud from going back. Paint it and call it good. Attach a little rubber end to the stud too as to not scratch my bed.

Thanks

 

fun eh??? I am using the same latches..
you gotta drill the hole in the bed..

if I had to do it over, I would use the latch style vs the pin style. the bed & tailgate wiggles/flexes and will mar the paint.

also, the grommet they give you is worthless.. won't stay in, and doesn't protect well anyhow..

i also ground the pointy tip down flush..

sam

 

Have to drill a receiver hole on bedside. I fabbed my own bedside, hidden pin latch and welded a washer on the inside of the bed to re-inforce the box. I need to shave more of the pin off so it seats better. I am using plastic plug inserts (for hydralic applications) to seat the pin in box. They haven't fallen out yet; over 5 years of truck sitting in garage. LOL.

 

this is the one I was thinking of, from the midfifty catalog

Sam

I'll take a picture of mine tomorrow

 

Well Ive still been thinking it over. I think Im gonna weld a small 1/2 pipe to the bed and just have the shaft seat in there. It wont be too noticeable, Ha, I hope. Thanks for the replies.

 

Hey Sdetweil. I think I might have those Econo supports somewhere. I just didnt like how they fit up and stability issues. Want me to look for them?

 

it was the latches at the top of the page..

I use the stainless cables for supports..

here is a pic of the latch pin hole..

Sam

 

I saw this installation at a car show. It looks good and probably took a lot of work. I am using the same latches but will not go to that much fabrication. Probably just use stainless fasteners and cap nuts. l

 

I think those are the latches shown in the MF catalog page above..

that standoff for the latch handle looks interesting.. wonder why they did that..

and thats another thing.. which way the mount the handle..
pull the tailgate IN towards the front of the truck
or
pull the bedside in towards the tailgate

Sam

 

The problem with all of these is there is no adjustment. You have to get it right and if things change over time, you have no way to take out the slack.
Here are some pictures of mine. They are adjustable. I put a small rubber bumper on the edge of the bed and then adjusted the latch to pull the tailgate tight against it. No rattles! I have had to adjust it once in 3 years and nearly 8000 miles. They have a button you have to press to open them and of course a cotter key through the hole is a positive lock.

 

another point I hadn't considered.. thanks Don


Sam

 

I wouldn't want you to drill holes in the green monster and then say "Oh S**T"

 

yeh.. OS is NOT one of the favorite terms around the "Mistress". (wifes term)

I've had one.. tailgate related too.. just home from the painter I managed to push her back into the garage door (I SWEAR the parking brake was on AND it was in gear.. not...)..
rubbed a pencil eraser sized hole all the way down to the metal on both the top & bottom rails of the tailgate.....

had to repaint the tailgate.. do NOT want to do that again..

where did you get the adjustable latches.. pretty cool..

sam

 

I got them from McMaster Carr. I made the part on the tailgate from a piece of SS flat bar. Just takes a BFH.

 

I was wondering the same thing about the standoffs. I bet its so they didn't have to drill holes through the bedside or tailgate. Thread a little steel plate, weld it to the bed/tailgate, and then mold it in. Pretty slick.