Robert,

Wow, I am absolutely flabbergasted! simply incredible. Wen you started this project I had it pictured in my head and I thought "yea, thats going to be cool"...............what an understatement on my part.

You are indeed a craftsman! great vision, and great execution. Consider yourself pushed around the block (I hope you were making vroom vroom noises)

I'll tip several frosties in your direction
Bobby

 

Jared,

My plastic thingie was long gone when I bought the box....and as I mentioned, the GMC latch assy is pretty gummed up. (They don't last long up here in the great white north)....part of the reason why I'm thinking solonoid in the tail gate.

Randy,

Thanks for the schematic/exploded view. I didn't realize your solonoid was not in the gate itself. Hopefully it'll still aid me in my noodling' " . Too late to go into the corner posts, plus there's no room in there with the cans for the taillights...Gota go in the gate.

Bobby,

You're way to kind! Just trying to measure up to the bar set by others in this forum. Certainly not in the class of some, but having fun stretching for it. (Yah, I was all poised to make vroom, vroom noises and everything.)

Vern,

It kinda hurt when I saw your's hit the road, because we both started out here about the same time, however I'm slowly getting myself ready for the possibility that mine may never be finished. (I keep changing my plan and adding new things to do to it...sigh...) I may end up being the last one here cause everybody else has finished and hit the road...

Ah well, I'll just keep trucking along - happy as if I was in my own right mind...

Later,

 

Ferg, sorry but the truth hurts sometimes.

If you're slower than me you are really slow! It took me five years wrenchin' summers only...and I still need paint!

Keep pluggin'. You'll get there...you're doing some great work!

 

RMF
I am nolonger Amazed, You and Your Son have stepped up to the Expected.
A bow of recognition is forwarded.

 

RFM,
your making great progress, I'm way behind ya. seemed like at one point I was a little ahead (chop top time) but I haven't even started on a box yet.
Your custom box look great, the tail lights are sweet.

 

Hey Fergie, VERY COOL!! I finally took the time to look through your gallery. All I can say is welcome to the Darkside!!!!! I would offer you some cookies, but Havi ate them all!!! (shame on you Havi)

Good work!
GOD bless

 

Thanks guys!

That'll be it for a while. Other than working out how I will latch the tailgate (definitely from the inside), but manually or powered is the question, I think next year will be all bothersome little mechanical things.......

Later,

 

Why not use a pair of bearclaws and power them?

 

Fergie,

You have been working while a lot of us have just been talking! Fantastic job.

 

Willard - thanks!

Ax,

I don't want to disturb the body work already done on the tailgate or the rear posts of the box. I'm leaning towards either a manual actuator assembly or solenoid powered. The basic mechanism will be home made versus buying a new 88-94 GM latch assy. The home made design will require a new handle assembly or none if powered.....

Currently exploring the solenoid idea. Can anyone with experience with solenoid powered door assys suggest how strong a solinoid would safely pop the latches on either end of a late model tailgate? 35 lbs? 50 lbs?

The design I'm playing with would use one solenoid to simultantously pop both sides open. Would like to use a 35 lb unit if it'll do the job......

Anyone care to comment?

Thanks,

 

I'd expect it would be a fuction of friction more than anything else as to the pull power required. I just have the small actuators connected to the stock lock mechanism on my doors and they have no problem at all. If the latches are adjusted for minimal friction drag and well lubed I'd expect the 35# actuators would be plenty strong, 35# is a significant force. Think of what it would feel like to hold up a 35# weight off a string. You could always test it with a fish scale hooked to the linkage. I think it would measure more in the < 10# range.

 

Ax,

O.K., thanks.

Can't test with a fish scale (actually thought of that) as my stock GMC mechanism is so rusted up it barely moves period...

Good point about friction though. Can certainly take steps to reduce the friction..

Now I got something to screw around with in the basement for a while....

Later,

 

The tailgate latch on our new GMC opens with a pinky finger pull. A new internal latch mechanism can't be very expensive.?

 

Ax,

Authentic GM parts in Canada?

Maybe we'll check though.....

 

I can get you any GM part you need, Remember we are sponsored by Rick Hendrick... yah, that one.