Hidden tailgate latch kit
Roast em' if you got 'em
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 21,976
Likes: 9,811
From: Rio Rancho, NM
John,
Its galvanized, its basically EMT or rigid conduit. I'm sure hoping it doesn't cause problems when I go to paint it. I wasn't thinking that far ahead.
Nordvick72,
My bedsides used to flow outward when the tailgate latches were released also. It was due to the lower bed sill and stake pockets being rusted out. The rear stake pokets and the lower bed sill are the only structural support at the rear of the bed. In my case with the early style bed (48-50) the stake pockets are rounded and the lower sill has a "U" shaped cross section. I bought new stake pockets and fabbed my own rear bed sill from some 2x3 square tubing and 2" round tubing. I cut one end of the rectangular tubing off and dropped it over the round tubing and welded it all together. The ends of it fit inside the bottom of the stake pockets. Once it was welded all together it was very solid and eliminated any sagging of the bedsides. Here a link to my gallery with some pics;
1949 Ford F1 4x2 - Bed stuff
Bobby
Its galvanized, its basically EMT or rigid conduit. I'm sure hoping it doesn't cause problems when I go to paint it. I wasn't thinking that far ahead.
Nordvick72,
My bedsides used to flow outward when the tailgate latches were released also. It was due to the lower bed sill and stake pockets being rusted out. The rear stake pokets and the lower bed sill are the only structural support at the rear of the bed. In my case with the early style bed (48-50) the stake pockets are rounded and the lower sill has a "U" shaped cross section. I bought new stake pockets and fabbed my own rear bed sill from some 2x3 square tubing and 2" round tubing. I cut one end of the rectangular tubing off and dropped it over the round tubing and welded it all together. The ends of it fit inside the bottom of the stake pockets. Once it was welded all together it was very solid and eliminated any sagging of the bedsides. Here a link to my gallery with some pics;
1949 Ford F1 4x2 - Bed stuff
Bobby
Roast em' if you got 'em
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 21,976
Likes: 9,811
From: Rio Rancho, NM
Thanks
Yes the tank fits between the rails. Its a mid 80's full sized Blazer tank. I wish it were the smaller 24 gallon size but its the larger 31 (hey, it was free) andits pretty deep.
The early Mustang tanks will set between the rails with the flange resting on the rails....I think
Bobby
Yes the tank fits between the rails. Its a mid 80's full sized Blazer tank. I wish it were the smaller 24 gallon size but its the larger 31 (hey, it was free) andits pretty deep.
The early Mustang tanks will set between the rails with the flange resting on the rails....I think
Bobby
Senior User
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 326
Likes: 0
From: Glen burnie MD
I threw this question out on this site last year and got a lot of good suggestions, but the belt buckle idea was the one that I liked the best. It's not exactly hidden but it is inside the bed area.
I used ford buckles, I'm sure others would work equally well. I did a little cutting and welding on the tongue portion of the buckle, drilled a few holes, welded some studs to the bedside and they work great.
The part I like the best is that I can slam the tailgate closed and there is no metal contact anywhere other than at the latch area. The tailgate positions correctly and no chipped paint.
Drewski
I used ford buckles, I'm sure others would work equally well. I did a little cutting and welding on the tongue portion of the buckle, drilled a few holes, welded some studs to the bedside and they work great.
The part I like the best is that I can slam the tailgate closed and there is no metal contact anywhere other than at the latch area. The tailgate positions correctly and no chipped paint.
Drewski
I just ordered some aircraft style buckles for mine so ill see how it works out.
Senior User
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 326
Likes: 0
From: Glen burnie MD
John,
Its galvanized, its basically EMT or rigid conduit. I'm sure hoping it doesn't cause problems when I go to paint it. I wasn't thinking that far ahead.
Nordvick72,
My bedsides used to flow outward when the tailgate latches were released also. It was due to the lower bed sill and stake pockets being rusted out. The rear stake pokets and the lower bed sill are the only structural support at the rear of the bed. In my case with the early style bed (48-50) the stake pockets are rounded and the lower sill has a "U" shaped cross section. I bought new stake pockets and fabbed my own rear bed sill from some 2x3 square tubing and 2" round tubing. I cut one end of the rectangular tubing off and dropped it over the round tubing and welded it all together. The ends of it fit inside the bottom of the stake pockets. Once it was welded all together it was very solid and eliminated any sagging of the bedsides. Here a link to my gallery with some pics;
1949 Ford F1 4x2 - Bed stuff
Bobby
Its galvanized, its basically EMT or rigid conduit. I'm sure hoping it doesn't cause problems when I go to paint it. I wasn't thinking that far ahead.
Nordvick72,
My bedsides used to flow outward when the tailgate latches were released also. It was due to the lower bed sill and stake pockets being rusted out. The rear stake pokets and the lower bed sill are the only structural support at the rear of the bed. In my case with the early style bed (48-50) the stake pockets are rounded and the lower sill has a "U" shaped cross section. I bought new stake pockets and fabbed my own rear bed sill from some 2x3 square tubing and 2" round tubing. I cut one end of the rectangular tubing off and dropped it over the round tubing and welded it all together. The ends of it fit inside the bottom of the stake pockets. Once it was welded all together it was very solid and eliminated any sagging of the bedsides. Here a link to my gallery with some pics;
1949 Ford F1 4x2 - Bed stuff
Bobby
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