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I'm looking through the options (sliding pin in the top of the tailgate, seatbelt buckles, etc) and wondering if anyone has done anything like the one pictured? Will the flareside tailgate close flush like this or does it stay partly out? My bed is in pieces and I'm trying to figure out which closure I use to get rid of the chains. Hidden Catch Clean inside latch access
Bullnose flare sides won’t close flush as you pictured. The gate overlaps the side/ends. You could add a gate lock similiar to a fence gate latch to the inside corners to latch the gate.
But, I see no appeal in that. The dangling chains is what makes the flare side so appealing and separates it apart from ordinary beds. Why take that away ? If you’re worried about scratching paint. There are a few options that would prevent that. Also the gate hinges on the exterior of the bed. Unlike, other gates hinging on the interior perimeter of the bed. Not worth reinventing the wheel in my opinion. Too much fabrication and gate cutting to make it work in my opinion. A very good condition flareside gate is hard to find.
Bullnose flare sides won’t close flush as you pictured. The gate overlaps the side/ends. You could add a gate lock similiar to a fence gate latch to the inside corners to latch the gate.
But, I see no appeal in that. The dangling chains is what makes the flare side so appealing and separates it apart from ordinary beds. Why take that away ? If you’re worried about scratching paint. There are a few options that would prevent that. Also the gate hinges on the exterior of the bed. Unlike, other beds hinging on the interior perimeter of the bed. Not worth reinventing the wheel in my opinion. Too much fabrication and gate cutting to make it work in my opinion. A very good condition flareside gate is hard to find.
It’s the chains and latches damaging the bed that I’m trying to prevent. Plus kids lowering the gate without hooking the chains.
I understand what you are saying about the kids. I also understand that aftermarket chains are too expensive. As long as you have the factory latches and anchor bolts. You can construct the chains for around $25 bucks total. That’s what I did in second picture. Not the best picture because it was near dark. But they look very nice in person. I used all stainless steel chains and hooks. My gate paint was in that condition when I bought the truck. It was missing the chains. It should be easy to anchor modern gate cables. Maybe keep the chains if you like and add 1 or 2 modern gate cables to address the kids and keep the appeal of the chains. Or follow through with idea and fabricate it. Just giving you ideas that’s all.
I used bike tube over the chains to protect the paint and works great.
As for the kids and dropping the gate keep the klids away.
How will you keep the gate from hitting the bumper with the hidden latch and no chains?
The flare side gate dose not have the room to put cables or the flat stock limits on the style side truck gates.
Now before I got my gate & chains I was looking to make a gate from the rear cab wall of my parts truck and use the seat belt latch on the inside.
I also did not know about the chains keeping the gate from hitting the bumper if let to drop down.
Just my .02
Dave ----
I used bike tube over the chains to protect the paint and works great.
As for the kids and dropping the gate keep the klids away.
How will you keep the gate from hitting the bumper with the hidden latch and no chains?
The flare side gate dose not have the room to put cables or the flat stock limits on the style side truck gates.
Now before I got my gate & chains I was looking to make a gate from the rear cab wall of my parts truck and use the seat belt latch on the inside.
I also did not know about the chains keeping the gate from hitting the bumper if let to drop down.
Just my .02
Dave ----
Mar-K has some straps, but they are visible when tailgate is up. My bet is that they would rattle around. I’ve seen some nylon straps used as well. I’ll look at the chains again.
It should be easy to anchor modern gate cables. Maybe keep the chains if you like and add 1 or 2 modern gate cables to address the kids and keep the appeal of the chains. Or follow through with idea and fabricate it. Just giving you ideas that’s all.
I like this idea. Cover chains like FuzzFace said and just make the chains permanent. Figure out an inside catch or latch. Then I’m not destroying the bed at the catch area.
Does anyone know if the Chevy chain ends will fit the Flareside? Here are a couple that I've found. I'm liking the hidden latch to save scraping the paint off the gate where the latch rides and just running the chains in a bushing or sleeve.
Why spend $50 to $75 for good looking SS chains them cover them, in my case bike tube, so they dont mark up the truck?
I also under stand you want to use this type chain to keep the gate from hitting the bumper if let to drop open but dont want to use the Ford chain / latch as it will chip the paint when open & closed so you will go with the hidden latch setup.
If that SS chain will work I wonder if you will need to close the hook to keep the hook from falling off?
Then again maybe if run from the bottom up like we do on the Ford set up they can not un-hook?
Dave ----
I have not looked at the 87> flare side gate / latch assy., they are not real flare sides with out the chains, but wonder how the gate is held closed?
Wonder if they used the same parts as the style side gates of the same years? Think it used a style side gate?
Part of the problem with our flare sides is the gate is not double panel so anything done to it shows up on both sides.
Where the style side gates they put everything between the 2 panels. And because of that they make a latch handle that can be moved from the outside to the inside, weld a plate over the hole on the outside and you now have a clean gate.
I think the chevy chains you linked and the seat belt buckle latch inside the bed is how I think I would go if I did not go factory chains & latch.
I have not looked at the 87> flare side gate / latch assy., they are not real flare sides with out the chains, but wonder how the gate is held closed?
Wonder if they used the same parts as the style side gates of the same years? Think it used a style side gate?
Part of the problem with our flare sides is the gate is not double panel so anything done to it shows up on both sides.
Where the style side gates they put everything between the 2 panels. And because of that they make a latch handle that can be moved from the outside to the inside, weld a plate over the hole on the outside and you now have a clean gate.
I think the chevy chains you linked and the seat belt buckle latch inside the bed is how I think I would go if I did not go factory chains & latch.
There’s a slide pin catch that hides in the side tubing. 88+ flareside uses a regular style gate. That’s one of the reasons I like keeping the chains. I’d use stainless for rust protection. Only need enough hose to cover the bottom. But seatbelt buckles are cheapest. I could use spares from my truck.
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