LPB tailgate hardware

[island45]

Both of my tailgate latches are in horrible shape. I have used windshield latches in the past with success, but it takes two hands to get the loop over the hook. Also, the two tailgate hinges that remain were blob welded to the tailgate and lower panel. I'm working my way back to the bed area, and wonder if anyone has found a source for these items. Also oem tail light assemblies. I'll have to get creative with tail lights if I go oem, because some po added 1/8 plate over the original tail light panel. Yeah, you're right, I gotta remove that 1/8 plate and get to the bottom of what's back there.....Latches, hinges, lights anyone?

 

[spotcruiser]

Hi Gary,

No good info on hinges, except that reproduction hinges may be available from Ehsan at a pretty high price.

Aren't the latches the same as the 40 tailgate latches? If so, they are still available from SOR (OEM, I believe) and are probably still available from Toyota (try CDan, if you can get no love from the local dealer).

Todd.

 

[3_puppies]

I think the tailgate latches are different than 40's

on taillights try sourcing some from a Stout. same as 45's I found some locally in a wrecking yard, so I just sold the extras I had.

Stout hinges and latches are different. altho the tailgate chains are almost the same....1 link longer...easy to modify

 

[spotcruiser]

Turns out that SOR does have them. I'd check with Toyota also.

Todd.

 

[krzyabncanuck]

I got my latches from SOR also.

 

[Kief]

I know that an early ford courier has tailights that are close in size so maybe an old mazda would have the orange and yellow verses the red only lenses/ 3 filaments. If not something could be fabricated. I know the clasps are similar but different and might be able to be adapted.

 

[bull]

You can get the tail lenses from foxfab. Or I think I have an extra set.


bull

 

[65swb45]

I looked over the latch situation pretty closely last summer when the 'stolen' tailgate drama was going on. From what I could see, if you were to weld two prongs onto the ends of the windshield latches, they would work pretty good as tailgate latches.

As for hinges, I have three repro hinges from Ehsan I am willing to part with. Call me at the shop to follow up.

Best

Mark A.

 

[island45]

A wealth of info here. Thanks! I will follow up on all of this soon. I now have the radiator frame I needed and the new u-joint for my winch should be here today, so maybe do that tonight. The front end of things will be together by week's end. I keep it all on the truck, held in place by a minimum of hand tightened bolts, just so I don't get depressed when I go down to the damp, unheated shop at night to work on it.( because it still looks like a cruiser, not a pile of parts) All this new work will come off in a matter of minutes when I am ready to install the engine. I plan to work on the bed next, as it is the worst part of what's left to fix. Then everything left to do will be mostly bolt up stuff. Hinges, latches, tail lights? sheesh, this site is awesome.....