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My question is a simple one. Pivot points. On the newer trucks they have plastic or nylon inserts. Did the older trucks use them. I have not seen any with them and don’t see them offered in diagrams. Guess they didn’t use them but trying to verify.
No, originals did not use inserts, just smooth round surfaces, and grease didn't hurt.
I recently put a brand new in box since 1992 Dent tailgate on, I was gonna try wrapping thin plastic or something in a spiral in there, but my painter buddy put the tailgate on before I got to his shop. I do not want to risk taking it loose now. Likely just as well as any plastic would have had to be really thin as there ain't much room in there.
I used a needle adapter to push some grease in there with my grease gun.
Maybe this is an aftermarket opportunity. Manufacture a plastic cover for that removable round pivot thing and let the squeaks begone with a little lubrication. Maybe some clever FTE member will come up with a way to repurpose a plastic something to take up the slack of 40+ years of use.
No plastic from the factory, just steel on steel. You also notice you DO NOT have a alignment slot to quick remove a TG.
Here is a way to use a plastic insert. If you modify your TG to be a quick removal item.
Thanks Rich. Thought about modifying but I like to keep my tailgate. Even though there are not that many of these trucks out there. My luck when I get the restoration done someone will find me and take it. I’ll just put it on the old fashioned way and at least make it harder to get off.
If memory serves... The tailgate pivots from 1980-1996 have the quick removal option and would bolt in place of the 1973-1979 pivots, and you would only need the one pivot side for removal.
To further this tailgate info dump: There was an aftermarket tailgate helper "spring" that you could add to your 1973-1979 tailgate to make closing it feel lighter and less heavy, it would "install" inside the tailgate and IIRC under the bed or in the bed tailgate post?
To further this tailgate info dump: There was an aftermarket tailgate helper "spring" that you could add to your 1973-1979 tailgate to make closing it feel lighter and less heavy, it would "install" inside the tailgate and IIRC under the bed or in the bed tailgate post?
Resonating on that: you can buy a kit that moves the TG opener from the outside to the inside, a definite security feature if you also have a lockable camper/bed cover.
I have one of these on my 95 and bought another one for my 96. I highly recommend them. Hopkins Easylift # 74211 available at multiple places. Makes tailgate a one hannd operation.
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