Got rid of the chains

I've been wanting to get rid of the tailgate chains for awhile now. Stumbled across a set of Ranchero hinges for $1 on Ebay so I figured I'd play aound with it to see how they'd work. The hinge on the left is what it looked like after I shortened it. After alot of trial & error, here's the end result.

 

Sweet! How does it attach at the top and how do you release it?

 

I'm using a set of Perko lockable latches I found here.

 

Great job! Looks slick.

Damon

 

Good job but I personally like chains better.

 

Thanks for those photo's Robert. I really like the look of no chains on the tailgate as the newer trucks have. But also like the old school with the chains being stainless steel, and the way I was taught to hook the chains

 

Chains + exstra secure latch

Mobilortho

This is a very good idea , but i also would keep the chains. Its fully posseble to have both as a double secure when transporting long goods in the back . Old Mazda pickup trucks have these latches aswell. What truck does your latches come from?

Martinius.

 

Slick. I never have liked the look of chains either.

I used some universal tailgate cables from O'Reilley's. They have a spring that allows the cable to be removed from the bed so the tailgate can hang straight down:


And some $6.00 rubber latches from Speedway. The nice thing about the rubber is it elastic enough to eliminate the tailgate rattling against the bed:


Basically the same concept as yours, just a little different implementation, on a little later design truck:

 

I wanted a cleaner look and also to eliminate paint damage from the chains rubbing back & forth. I don't plan on hauling anything so that's not a factor.

 

I love it, and your problem solving approach! Great solution for those who don't want chains!

 

I like the stainless, Charles, but~

Aren't you afraid those chains will ruin your paint job?

 

No, when I drove the truck into Hudspeth County, Texas and back to Ventura County, California, I never seen where the paint got chipped at all, that is why the chains are Stainless Steel.

 

I also like the look of chains and I used Stainless. What I did to protect the paint was to buy the 3M clear protecter and stuck that where the chains would rub.

 

Chain hoses give some protection !

Added sleeves around the chains and they protect fearly anough !

 

When these trucks were new, they all had protective sleeves like these.

 

Like To See.....

All this ' out of the box ' problem solving .

If my chains didn't rattle , I'd worry the tailgate had fallen off....