CK5
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Gut K5 tailgate or truck tailgate
- Thread starter TXJP
- Start date
The tailgate handle location alone was enough for me, I always hated having to reach over & inside.
Go with the truck gate. There is a weight difference and convenience of the handle placement.
Make sure that you install the rubber bumpers and adjust for no rattles...
Make sure that you install the rubber bumpers and adjust for no rattles...
Truck gate for sure. Big weight difference even between a stripped out blazer tailgate
That's what I was wondering. If the weight difference was not that much I would just gut it and not have to worry about sealing and fixing the rattles on the truck gate, but it sounds like it will be worth the effort. Thanks guys!
Truck tailgate for me.
The ease of removal is another big point, it takes 10 seconds to pull a truck gate off.
-Rob
The ease of removal is another big point, it takes 10 seconds to pull a truck gate off.
-Rob
Other than the easy removal, does it really matter.
Being able to pull the tailgate off easy would be the good reason.
Weight, does the difference really matter.
Never going to put the top back on?
How often do you plan on opening the gate.
Reaching inside, it’s a soft top that has to be moved away to open the gate anyways.
Best reason would be cause you want to.
If I came across a nice pickup tailgate for a the right price I would certainly pick it up.
Being able to pull the tailgate off easy would be the good reason.
Weight, does the difference really matter.
Never going to put the top back on?
How often do you plan on opening the gate.
Reaching inside, it’s a soft top that has to be moved away to open the gate anyways.
Best reason would be cause you want to.
If I came across a nice pickup tailgate for a the right price I would certainly pick it up.
Pick up a K5 gate, and then a truck gate and tell me that the weight wouldn't matter....
Less weight to open and close it too.. not just for the truck carrying it.
The easy removal can be a problem in some places. (Theft)
Yeah, big weight difference. I'd bet my truck gate is 1/2 the weight of my old (complete) K5 gate, maybe less.
For theft, I saw a neat trick the other day about simply putting a hose clamp around the slotted trunion. Easy enough to defeat but it'll slow down a snatch and run type person.
For theft, I saw a neat trick the other day about simply putting a hose clamp around the slotted trunion. Easy enough to defeat but it'll slow down a snatch and run type person.
That’s why I asked how often he was going to open it.
Easier is always better but maybe we need a car with a remote button.
When I get to the point of my gates too heavy I won’t be doing much else with the K5 including lifting things in and out of the back of a lifted truck.
Just mixing it up a bit
Is tailgate theft an actual thing?
Probably not for these older trucks but for newer stuff it is.
I never plan on putting the hard top back on. Reaching inside to open it does not bother me and i don't plan to take it off for any reason. I will probably just gut it and see how I like it and if I come across a good truck tailgate one day I might pick it up.
I bet any truck's tail gate is liable to be stolen around here--mostly all I hear about lately are late model trucks with back up camera's in the tail gate getting swiped at shopping centers,and other places--but an old square body tail gate is rather hard to find in decent condition here,so it wouldn't be unlikely one may get stolen...
i'd say it's, maybe 1/3 the weight.. if that... it was a no brainer for me once i went softtop...
1) I think the truck gate looks better
2) Lighter weight, even gutted, but it might be a toss up without the assist springs
3) Get rid of rusty lower hinges, if you have rust
4) With it gutted or truck gate, it's nice to remove the window wiring along the frame.
5) Handle on outside, for lifted trucks, it's easier to get to.
6) I feel better with steel support rods than cable.
but really, I think truck gate just looks better
2) Lighter weight, even gutted, but it might be a toss up without the assist springs
3) Get rid of rusty lower hinges, if you have rust
4) With it gutted or truck gate, it's nice to remove the window wiring along the frame.
5) Handle on outside, for lifted trucks, it's easier to get to.
6) I feel better with steel support rods than cable.
but really, I think truck gate just looks better
And one point not mentioned is the truck gate gives you a couple more inches of interior room.
I liked that from when I swapped mine out.
I liked that from when I swapped mine out.
Lmc sells the trunions. If you find a good condition gate buy it!
Dorman sells them too,for most years...
