What is the easiest way to remove the chrome panel on the back of the tailgate? There are YouTube videos where they tear the whole tailgate down to small parts but I don't want to do that. I just want the bib off so I can paint.
CK5
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Removing tailgate bib
- Thread starter aceroth
- Start date
If it’s adhesive mounted, I’d try a thin piece of say stainless steel sheet metal to push into the adhesive while very gently prying it as you go to separate. If some kind of fluid is needed to help loosen up the adhesive, try 91% Alcohol. Total guess. But thinking about it logically, that’s what I would try. But No I have never removed one.
I'm talking about the chrome panel that runs the whole length of the tailgate. It seems like it clips or maybe bolts on but I can't tell if it slides/clips from the outside or screws from the inside and my rear window is a PITA to get up and out of the way bcs its power (junkyard gate from an 85) and my 73 truck isnt.
rampage
3/4 ton status
IIRC it has speed nuts that you unscrew from the inside. It’s been about 15 yrs since I removed mine to paint the tailgate so don’t quote me. But the OEM ones are brushed aluminum and cost a small fortune to buy from LMC. In fact, I just checked the LMC catalog and it shows the mounting hardware, so that should give you an idea of how it attaches.
Thanks, rampage. If you look at the hardware that LMC shows, it really looks like clips. They attach to the gate with nuts but it looks like you ought to be able to slide the chrome band out of the clips with the clips still bolted to the gate if you know which way to pull/push. Kind of like the clips that hold the dashpad on. Thats what it feels like when I push/pull on the one on my truck.
Glass up, inside panel off, get in there and take off the nuts, trim falls off, celebrate
rampage
3/4 ton status
Those nuts hold it tight against the tailgate, so even if you could slide it off you'd end up scratching the paint when you take it off (which you don't care about) and when you put it back on and you run the risk of putting a permanent dent in the aluminum. I bet it'd take you just as long if not twice as long to do that than to do it correctly.
Yep, did what k85 said. PITA because of the disconnected window actuator but I got it to move with a drill motor. Looking at the back of the bib, it looks like you could whack the drivers side of the bib toward the passenger side with a deadblow and it would probably come free.
Unless it's really gunky/rusted or stuck. In which case you'd probably break either the screws or the brackets. ;-)
Unless it's really gunky/rusted or stuck. In which case you'd probably break either the screws or the brackets. ;-)
