I've got a 1973 blazer w removable hard top that at minimum needs a new tailgate skin and in a perfect world, a new tailgate. At least one parts company told me these are no longer in production which would jive with not finding them anywhere. I ended up ordering a version for a 73 w non removable hard top on LMC (38-9350-T) as I was under the impression they could be swapped. That doesn't seem to be the case. LMC's site didn't show measurements and upon measuring what showed up vs. what I've got, they are two different sizes. Wondering if anyone has had any luck finding a reproduction tailgate (with or without a window) that would fit a 1973 blazer with removable top? Thanks!
CK5
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Tailgate Trouble
- Thread starter rtolle31
- Start date
I think all '73 Blazer would be removable top. Non removable would be a suburban tailgate and they are different from the body line up.
I don't disagree at all as I've not seen a 73 Blazer that didn't have a removeable hardtop which is why I went ahead and ordered. I figured it just meant that there was no window and just a traditional tailgate. It's interesting how they show them. Most of the companies label them similarly.
www.lmctruck.com
Tailgates
Explore our tailgates for Chevrolet Blazer, GMC Jimmy and Chevrolet/GMC Suburban 1973-91. Ideal for revamping and personalizing.
www.lmctruck.com
The notable word here is hard top. It is correct that not all Blazer and/or Jimmy's had removeable fiberglass hard tops, it was possible to spec one with a soft top. Soft top trucks came with a truck tailgate, all of the illustrated tailgates on the LMC link are truck tailgates.
U.S. built square body Blazers and/or Jimmy's were never built with a solid / metal / non removeable hard top like the newer '92+ body style .
U.S. built square body Blazers and/or Jimmy's were never built with a solid / metal / non removeable hard top like the newer '92+ body style .
Soft top only was an option most years, which is why a pickup tailgate is a bolt-on for a K-5. What they sent *should* just be a pickup gate, which could be bolted on if you got the trunions and latches, but you would not have a back window.
You can look for used tailgates on eBay or look for somebody here that has one. Clean ones tend to be pricey, but there are only so many options.
You can look for used tailgates on eBay or look for somebody here that has one. Clean ones tend to be pricey, but there are only so many options.
With everyone's responses, it's all starting to mentally come together. I do believe I received a truck tailgate. As a starting point, I'm going to look into the trunions and latches as you suggest as I don't ever plan to put the fiberglass top back on. Thanks!
I have several sets of trunnions and latches for sale in the classified section.
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Sold - Squarebody Gas Caps, Cab Clearance Lights, Marker Lights
1973-74 gas cap, stainless with dent $5 1975-78 gas cap, stainless $10 1975-78 gas cap, aftermarket with warning lapel label $5/ea 1975-78 gas cap, painted $10 each SOLD 1975-78 locking gas cap, with key SOLD 1979-87/91 locking gas cap, $10 with key 1982-87/91 6.2L diesel radiator brackets...
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Swapping to the truck gate is pretty popular for those not running the hardtop. It's lighter, simpler, no window to break and the exterior latch handle is easier to operate.
https://ck5.com/forums/threads/swapping-k5-to-truck-tailgate-and-lift-glass.334230/
https://ck5.com/forums/threads/squarebody-truck-tailgate-tech.347535/
https://ck5.com/forums/threads/swapping-k5-to-truck-tailgate-and-lift-glass.334230/
https://ck5.com/forums/threads/squarebody-truck-tailgate-tech.347535/
