Tailgate latches
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Elder User
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 556
Likes: 1
From: Prescott, AZ
Tailgate latches
I have barrel bolts holding the tailgate to the bed sides. I am looking to upgrade since the vibrations may cause the bolts to loosen from the bed side.
MidFifty’s has chrome latches but they cost $125/pair which I believe are a little steep. Could you please share some of the methods you used? Thanks.
MidFifty’s has chrome latches but they cost $125/pair which I believe are a little steep. Could you please share some of the methods you used? Thanks.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,328
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From: Iowa
Roast em' if you got 'em
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 21,976
Likes: 9,806
From: Rio Rancho, NM
Just a quick side note about tailgate chains. Looking at the picture of Abe's truck the hooks were put into the latches from the op down. I was taught by an old rancher when I was young that you should bring the hooks up from the bottom and then let them flop over. That way when you are banging down a rutted ranch road the chains can't bounce up out of the latches.
I made some spring loaded latch pins that fit in the upper roll of my 49. I used some 1/2" pipe, a spring, and some welding. Here's a link to the old album where I had some pics;
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...&albumid=25568
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/5...-tailgate.html
The only bad thing about latches of this sort is that it takes both hands to release the tailgate. Which means I either have to have a buddy around or I have to set down my beer....lol
Bobby
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From: Central PA
Just a quick side note about tailgate chains. Looking at the picture of Abe's truck the hooks were put into the latches from the op down. I was taught by an old rancher when I was young that you should bring the hooks up from the bottom and then let them flop over. That way when you are banging down a rutted ranch road the chains can't bounce up out of the latches.
Bobby
Bobby
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Are we there yet?
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,098
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From: NW Valley AZ
At your convenience I'd like to see a closeup of both ends of the latch fab. Some of the available kits just have too much or a utility hardware look for my liking. My gate was shut for years with a couple small SS L brackets and polished buttonhead screws. Very clean but not exactly handy as it took about two minutes to open and close the gate. I really only open the gate for bed cleaning though.
Cut off and welded to a flat plate for mounting.
Roast em' if you got 'em
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 21,976
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From: Rio Rancho, NM
I hear ya, most of our trucks don't see the abuse that they did when they were young.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 879
Likes: 40
From: Colorado Springs /Mesa AZ
Cut the belt off and holes drilled for the bolts.
Attachment 129191
Cut off and welded to a flat plate for mounting.
Attachment 129192
Attachment 129191
Cut off and welded to a flat plate for mounting.
Attachment 129192
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Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 82
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From: Myrtle Beach
I just bought a set of these high dollar latches for my truck after being disappointed by the Mar-K spring loaded latches. Again, I was disappointed to find that if I actually install them, the screws will stick out visibly on the outside of the bed side. I've seen plenty of pics of these in use. To the guys who are using these, can you post a pic of the bed side, or tell me how you avoided having the screws sticking out? Thanks