Tailgate differences after 76?

[folkenheath]

I searched and couldn't' find the answer to this, if I missed it I apologize and tell me where.

Were they functional or just cosmetic changes with the tailgate in 77?

Will the tailgates latching mechanisms interchange between old and new? If you have an older bent tailgate from a 75 or so can you take the internal latches and handle out of it and install them in a newer tailgate?

Can you take any year truck tailgate and swap it into an 85 blazer for example, or does it have to be an 81-87 tailgate?

 

[82355]

I have a '76 tail gate on my '90 Blazer.

Martin

 

[folkenheath]

Thank you Martin, you are fast. That answers some of my questions.

76 was the year they could be "1st or 2nd design", but I don't know what changed?

My 83 uses a folding link bar to hold it flat, did they always have that? You just fold it the wrong way to unhook it and remove the tailgate, no tools needed.

 

[onetonbb74]

I have a 79 gmc tailgate on my 89 blazer with 74 hardware/hinges (not quick release). Everything hust bolted on. I'd rather have an 1981 and newer gate, they are thicker then the prior generation.

 

[folkenheath]

Is that the difference, pre ~76.5 is not quick release on the hardware? Other than that its all interchangeable if you have all the hardware? If so that's real easy...

 

[Blue85]

I outlined the styles/years for the links/latches and trunnions here, if it helps: https://ck5.com/forums/threads/swapping-k5-to-truck-tailgate-and-lift-glass.334230/

 

[fastazz81]

There is a difference between the trunnions , one is bigger than the other the latches look the same on both styles ,first set of pics are of my 76 second are from my 81.

 

[folkenheath]

I outlined the styles/years for the links/latches and trunnions here, if it helps: https://ck5.com/forums/threads/swapping-k5-to-truck-tailgate-and-lift-glass.334230/

Thank you, that is a nice summary you have there, and exactly what I needed.

There is a difference between the trunnions , one is bigger than the other the latches look the same on both styles ,first set of pics are of my 76 second are from my 81.

Your pictures are perfect, thank you.

I have one question left.

Does the 76 and earlier link bars still release from the separate link without tools, or it requires a tool?

I saw the pictures of the latches in Lukes thread, and I see the pic of your 81 which looks like my 83. But I can't see the link pivot on the tailgate of the 76 and earlier.

I obviously have my 83 to look at here. But I need to be on the lookout for a used tailgate since I'll likely keep that one with the truck. Trying to decide if I can buy a pre 76, but I will avoid it if I need tools to remove it.

If I'm in the drags popping the doors and tailgate off is a quick way to eliminate quite a bit of weight. I can convert the door hinges to release if I go with manual windows and locks instead of my current power windows and locks, the tailgate is easy on my 83, would like to keep that function.

Thanks guys!

 

[fastazz81]

the 76 comes off the same way my 81 does

 

[Blue85]

I think it was only in late models that get $3000 multi-function tailgates that the quick-release concept was eliminated.

 

[folkenheath]

I have a 79 gmc tailgate on my 89 blazer with 74 hardware/hinges (not quick release). Everything just bolted on. I'd rather have an 1981 and newer gate, they are thicker then the prior generation.

Do you have pictures of this "not quick release" hardware?

 

[onetonbb74]

I will get some later tonight.

 

[82355]

Before you eliminate power windows, have you that Brodozer thread, with the deutsch connectors?

Martin

 

[82355]

Check this out.

1990 K5 Duramax Blazer (BroDozer)

@Truckman4life guess what i picked up from Summit Racing yesterday? :D I used the 3M strip chalk (link below) to seal the outside of the AC Heater Box together and to the firewall. Picture looks different but when i picked it up it looked just like the one Truckman4life has...

ck5.com

1990 K5 Duramax Blazer (BroDozer)

@Truckman4life guess what i picked up from Summit Racing yesterday? :D I used the 3M strip chalk (link below) to seal the outside of the AC Heater Box together and to the firewall. Picture looks different but when i picked it up it looked just like the one Truckman4life has...

ck5.com

Martin

 

[onetonbb74]

Left is a 1974 truck tailgate hinge, on the right is a 1979 truck tailgate quick removal hinge. Both of these are the passenger side hinge bracket. The support bars were the same.


My tailgate has been welded here and looks like it needs to be redone again, but you can see the green full circle hinge. You have to remove the 2 bolts to get the tailgate off.

 

[folkenheath]

Ah, so the change is not in link bar connection, its in the tailgate connection, I see, thank you.

I thought it was in the link bar connection since it was a two piece there instead of 1 piece.

 

[ZombieK5]

Thank you Martin, you are fast. That answers some of my questions.

76 was the year they could be "1st or 2nd design", but I don't know what changed?

My 83 uses a folding link bar to hold it flat, did they always have that? You just fold it the wrong way to unhook it and remove the tailgate, no tools needed.

I have THREE tailgates in my possession.

1st was taken off my 1977 but i have zero idea if it was original
2nd was taken off an known 70's K5 but the exact year is not known
3rd is NOS tailgate shell only. I have the part # sticker still attached which should show the year range it was used.

They all look identical. Not sure this helps..

 

[Blue85]

All of the gates should fit all of the trucks, as long as you have the right hardware. To state it another way, the required hardware depends on the gate, not the truck.

This was the result of my research, but I've only ever had this one truck gate. If all the gates are the same (73-91), then you can use either version of hardware as long as it all matches. Is that the conclusion?

 

[shady]

I have an 86 tailgate that has totally different latches and such than my 81 has. I have no idea what year the bed on the 81 is. But that tailgate won't work on it without a bunch of wrenching.

I'll have to look through that link blue85 posted I guess. See if I can make it work.

 

[folkenheath]

I have THREE tailgates in my possession.

1st was taken off my 1977 but i have zero idea if it was original
2nd was taken off an known 70's K5 but the exact year is not known
3rd is NOS tailgate shell only. I have the part # sticker still attached which should show the year range it was used.

They all look identical. Not sure this helps..

Thanks Chris, I am referring to truck tailgates, for the conversion like Luke mentioned. I want it because it's lighter and easier to remove like my truck currently is. You lose the rear glass window, which I prefer gone. Blazer tailgates are a whole different animal with different hinges and latches and assist springs because of the weight.

This was the result of my research, but I've only ever had this one truck gate. If all the gates are the same (73-91), then you can use either version of hardware as long as it all matches. Is that the conclusion?

You are probably right on that, I just wanted to make sure I didn't buy some used tailgate that left me stuck with requiring tools to remove it.

I have an 86 tailgate that has totally different latches and such than my 81 has. I have no idea what year the bed on the 81 is. But that tailgate won't work on it without a bunch of wrenching.

I'll have to look through that link blue85 posted I guess. See if I can make it work.

Luke's link is a good bit of info, helped me out.