any wany to protect the paint when using tailgate chains?
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Tuned
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 370
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From: Southern Connecticut
any wany to protect the paint when using tailgate chains?
Picked up a decent used tailgate, and i really like the look of the original chains, but is there a way to protect the paint around the stock latch area? I know the chain covers help the chains from slapping around, but what about where it loops around the tailgate? What have you guys done??
On the other hand, there are some nice inside latches around (homemade and store bought) but i would still need a clean and relatively cheap way to hold the tailgate up when its open.
Thanks
Mark
On the other hand, there are some nice inside latches around (homemade and store bought) but i would still need a clean and relatively cheap way to hold the tailgate up when its open.
Thanks
Mark
Roast em' if you got 'em
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 21,955
Likes: 9,727
From: Rio Rancho, NM
They do make some custom inside latches that are spring loaded and fit in the upper rail of the tailgate. They are too pricey for my taste though running about $100 for a pair of them.
I recently rebuilt the tailgate on my 49 and fabricated my own spring pin latches to hold the tailgate closed (see my gallery "poor boy tailgate"
You could apply a coating to the hook. I don't know what it is called but they used to market a can of stuff that you could dip your tools into, screwdrivers, pliers, etc andit would make a thin rubberized coating on the tool. If you dipped the hook portion of your chains in that stuff and then used an old inner tube over your chains it should protect your paint pretty well.
Bobby
I recently rebuilt the tailgate on my 49 and fabricated my own spring pin latches to hold the tailgate closed (see my gallery "poor boy tailgate"
You could apply a coating to the hook. I don't know what it is called but they used to market a can of stuff that you could dip your tools into, screwdrivers, pliers, etc andit would make a thin rubberized coating on the tool. If you dipped the hook portion of your chains in that stuff and then used an old inner tube over your chains it should protect your paint pretty well.
Bobby
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 531
Likes: 1
From: New Mexico
You could use woven steel cable that has hook and eye swaged in and then plastic coat the cable with that dippable tool handle stuff. The swages, properly applied hold an unseemly amount of weight. The woven cable is stiff enough too so it does slap around like chain. I think that is wht I'll do for my '53.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 25,310
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From: Central PA
I am very careful and I do use my truck to haul stuff, yard waste, mulch, bikes, etc. I try to open the tailgate as little as often. Also I use touch up paint.
abe
PS: the rubberized idea sounds good but then you lose your truck color!
abe
PS: the rubberized idea sounds good but then you lose your truck color!
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Tuned
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 370
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From: Southern Connecticut
Thanks for the advice. i have heard of that coating, maybe that would work well.
I dont have everything together so i cant take a picture, but i dug something up to show what im talking about. Where the hook loops thru the tailgate ear. I guess i could always put a rubber grommet in the ear as well.
[IMG]
[/IMG]
PS - yes that bed and tailgate in this pic are chrome. a pretty rare Mercury tailgate too. Took this picture at a car show. different strokes for different folks i guess.....
MArk
I dont have everything together so i cant take a picture, but i dug something up to show what im talking about. Where the hook loops thru the tailgate ear. I guess i could always put a rubber grommet in the ear as well.
[IMG]
[/IMG] PS - yes that bed and tailgate in this pic are chrome. a pretty rare Mercury tailgate too. Took this picture at a car show. different strokes for different folks i guess.....
MArk
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Roast em' if you got 'em
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 21,955
Likes: 9,727
From: Rio Rancho, NM
Wow, a chrome gate...cool
I did notice that he had it hooked correctly. I see so many step sides going down the road with the hooks in wrong.
I was always taught to do it like in the pic...to bring the hook up from underneath, that way it can't accidently bounce out
A rubber grommet in the piece the hook goes through is a great idea! Cheap and simple
Bobby
I did notice that he had it hooked correctly. I see so many step sides going down the road with the hooks in wrong.
I was always taught to do it like in the pic...to bring the hook up from underneath, that way it can't accidently bounce out
A rubber grommet in the piece the hook goes through is a great idea! Cheap and simple
Bobby
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Austin, TX
I've used the coating stuff on my hooks and it works pretty good. Just don't get too carried away as a heavy buildup might not allow the hook to go thru the hole. One dip and mine's a tight fit!
Tim
Tim
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 203
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From: Glendale, AZ
3-M makes a clear sheet "Invisable Bra" that could be cut and placed to protect the painted area from the chain. My chain on the ole 49'er has the rubber cover, but it still rubs and mars the paint.
Elder User
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 966
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From: Too far north of I-10
Originally Posted by bobbytnm
They do make some custom inside latches that are spring loaded and fit in the upper rail of the tailgate. They are too pricey for my taste though running about $100 for a pair of them.
http://lmctruck.com/icatalog/fa/0024.html
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