I know this post has been up several times, Has anyone done a kit for installing cables (like Ford or Dodge) that bolts to existing reinforced bolt holes on gate and bed (FLEETSIDE)? I have seen hinge kit from MAR-K, I would have to put bolts in the face of my tailgate-that seems sucky...I do like thier hiddien latch system however. My tailgate is at body shop right now being prep'ed, now is time to cut edges for cable, but I still dont really have idea how to implement. Seems like a cable kit would sell well, and everything I have seen cable-wise is a one-off hack someone has done. Ideas? Thanks.
There's tonns of ideas on the internet, car shows, vendors catalogs... search google pictures! Coolest I've seen is someone integrated modern chevrolet/ford/dodge tailgate cables to replace the old chains. Also others have used seat belt connectors to hold the tailgate up or more expensive aftermarket set ups... simple stainless steel door latches always work.
I just browsed them again...pretty much the same. All cludgy one-off modifications without enough detail in photos to replicate if you had to. I cant believe no one has marketed a cable kit....
Check out the last post in the thread on the "other" forum.. Interesting... http://www.chevytalk.org/fusionbb/showtopic.php?tid/213608/post/new/#NEW dv
if you dont like everyone elses hack jobs (as you put it) how bout getting all jesse james on us and show us how to do it right. as far as matching up to "existing bolt holes" weld those up, smooth them out, drill and weld in your own nuts flush with the sheet metal where you need them and smooth it all out. theres plenty of room for cables between the bed and tailgate. also try the 77 hing, that may work, you just need to go to a junk yard and spend a day looking at all the diffent styles on other trucks, then either use parts off that truck or make your own. if your rich you can use door popers with a remote, then use hydrolic props off a suv hatch or rear glass to. that way when you pop it open with the keyfob your tailgate drops slowly, how fancy is that? good luck
Here is a one off "hack job" by an individual. If you look closely you can see 1/2" was trimmed from the outer edge on the inside face of the tailgate. The cable folds into this when the gate is shut and is invisible. The seat belt tailgate latches are there to do away with the tailgate latch chains banging on the paint. A 30 Plymouth we "hacked" into a Checker Cab won the Dallas Autorama this spring. Let me know how your highly finessed ride does.
You're post couldn't explain it any better! Nice job. This is exactly my plan for the tailgate cables however I plan on using spring loaded Stainless pins frenched inside the upper tailgate frame & drill/reinforce a hole in the side of the truck bed rather than using seat belt parts...(similar to the ones available through LMC) BTW, I like that you used era specific seat belt components, looks better than ones I've seen of 80's push button coloured seat belts!
