Tailgate Installation help

[grayhitandmiss]

I've started to reassymble by box. As you can see in the photo, I have the two fenders attached to the rear cross sill and front panel.
I have the tailgate opening squared-up, and am ready to weld
the each fender to the top of the cross sill as they originally were.
I got to thinking about the tail gate installation, and want to make
sure my opening between the fenders is wide enough before I "weld".
I won't have any help for a few days to do the "trial and error" method
of trying to "test" fit it, and I really don't want to booger up any
of the body / primer work trying to install it myself..... so, I thought I'd go the scientific route and "measure" every thing. Well I did, and the numbers just don't make sense on how I can get the tailgate to "fit" in the hole!
All I remember from 5 years ago taking the tailgate off, was that it
was a pain in the rear end!

The Opening between the fenders is 66-1/4" to 66-5/16".
The tailgate is 66-1/6" long.

When the tailgate roller / mount brackets are inserted in the tailgate sockets,
the total length is 67-9/16" long.

Even if you bolted one tailgate mount bracket to a fender, slid one end of the tailgate on it, then tried to swing the other end of the tailgate in place, with the other bracket in the tailgate, the numbers say it wont swing in place.

So, is my tailgate opening between the fenders at 66 1/4" wide, big enough
so I can go ahead and weld??

Any tips on how to install the tailgate would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks, Tom

 

[64shortbed]

on mine i just notched one side of the tailgate on the bottom. thencut down the mount like the newer pickups. so it comes off like any other truck nowadays

 

[grayhitandmiss]

Tailgate Installation

Thanks for the reply. I decided to go ahead and install the tailgate myself, and luckily, was able to do so without wrecking any primer.
I loosened all 8 bolts that held the rear cross sill to the fenders so that the tops of the fenders "spread out" to give me more room to install the tailgate, as I was afraid the opening was too tight, and I didn't want to gouge up all my new primer work.
I found it worked best to insert both tailgate mount roller / brackets into the tailgate (I put masking tape on them to keep them in place).
While keeping the tailgate in the "open", or horizontal position, I angled the tailgate to get one bracket into to fender channel where it bolts in, then lifted the other end up in the air a foot or more, until I was able to squeeze the other mount bracket into it's channel. That end of the tailgate then slid down in place relatively easily.
I squared everything back up, checking my tailgate to fender gaps, tightened the bolts again, and then welded both sides of the fenders to the new rear cross sill.
I was able to remove the tailgate after, so I guess it all worked out well !

 

[dcsi5919]

One side goes in and the other side is dropped in from the top and slide down the bed side, until the trunion holes match up to the weld nuts on the bed side.

 

[grayhitandmiss]

Trunions

So, now I know they're called Trunions!
Much better that mount / roller brackets!
Get to install the tailgate one more time,
after I paint it..... at least I have some
practice now

 

[bigtimjamestown]

Make sure that during your fit up you have aloud enough clearance for paint. A lot of people don't think of that and are disappointed after painting and finding out that their paint is chipping off.... Big Tim

 

[grayhitandmiss]

Tailgate installation

I ended up with about 1/8" gap on each side of the tailgate.
Looks okay to me.... is that about normal?

 

[dcsi5919]

1/8" is optimal, so you did good!