CK5
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Tailgate cables
- Thread starter Jhos
- Start date
Not with stock parts. The length of linkages for truck gates is different. Also, the K5 gate is wider than the truck gate in the interior, so the truck latches wouldn't fit. I suggest grabbing some scrap stock and seeing if you can get 2 pieces to fold up in the space available.
I think people dislike the cable because the 20+ year old plastic is split and they fear a new set won't last. I put new ones on (GM) at least 15 years ago and they're still just fine. The metal links would probably be rusty by now. Also, the cable is quieter and this can be a factor when it's in your interior.
Be different! Use step-side chains!
I think people dislike the cable because the 20+ year old plastic is split and they fear a new set won't last. I put new ones on (GM) at least 15 years ago and they're still just fine. The metal links would probably be rusty by now. Also, the cable is quieter and this can be a factor when it's in your interior.
Be different! Use step-side chains!
Soft top + truck tailgate = problem solved! Glad I could help. 
Wasn't there a recall with the plastic cable because they can snap over time. It was a voluntary recall where the customer had to pay for a new cable.
88-up i know had a recall on them .
suppler was to use solid galvanized cable then coat it in plastic . but only used dipped in galvanized steel cable and coated it .
suppler was to use solid galvanized cable then coat it in plastic . but only used dipped in galvanized steel cable and coated it .
I have the truck tailgate swap on mine and it rattles like hell. I am looking into options to quiet it down or swap to cable. The truck stuff never needed to be rattle free.
I've been thinking about doing this swap. What rattles the tailgate or the linkage?
The linkage for sure, probably the tailgate a bit too. I have all the stock truck rubber isolators in there but they don't seem to do much.
The stock k5 tail gate has a one piece rubber gasket on the bottom and going up the sides. Maybe this gasket would help.
It might. I figured if I was going to a truck tailgate I would use all the truck stuff. Works fine but rattles a lot. Its time to mix and match and try to improve the setup. I am going to start with figuring out if I can swap to a cable support or not. Then probably adjust the latches a bit and look into a weatherstrip gasket of some sort.
I caused a few head scratches with those chains, especially when I chose not to use them. Folks aren't used to seeing the tailgate fold completely downward.
I think the early GMT800 trucks had a similar recall to replace the gate cables.
Honestly, I don't see a need to change the design of the cables to the links. If your cables have damage, broken strands or show signs of rust, replace them. Takes 5 minutes. Trust me you don't want your cable to break when you have weight on it. A broken cable will allow the gate to swing down far enough to nail the bumper. If you are sitting on it or have something sitting on it, either will be on the ground quickly. And you'll have a nice whammy on the gate from where it got into the bumper. I speak from experience.
rampage
3/4 ton status
Why not just install new cables? They last for years and it's hard to beat the original design. Engineers spent a lot of time designing those cables to do their job. Even if the originals weren't made to spec and triggered a recall, installing new cables seem like a "no brainer" unless your switching to a truck tailgate. Sometimes it's too easy to over think things. YMMV.
The K5 gasket doesn't fit the truck gate. I ended up buying some universal type gasket and making my own seal. It doesn't seal perfectly but the K5 gate never did either.
For a truck gate it works better having the seal on the truck. Truck gates don't have the fat step-up section the K5 gates have, so a seal on a truck gate is sticking out of your working/loading surface and will get damaged soon.
Moody Bricker
1/2 ton status
- Joined
- Feb 1, 2016
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The wire rope was piss poor designed, if you going to remake them put a ring,or chain link in the middle so it fold without bending the wire rope then it would last forever, well,,jm2w.
