Need tailgate latch pics.

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Tuscaloosa Ala
Need some pics of what you guys are using for tail gate latches. Redoing a 40 and they are missing and I cant find any so I want to make somthing that looks decent. Need some idea,s for here.
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The latches are the same ones that are used on the share tire carriers. 58 thru 74 will work on the passenger's side. 75/76 will work on driver's side.
 
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Nice hardware, Vegas!

I'd like to see a full tailgate set-up, all installed. Anyone have pics? I'd love to remove the two half doors from my rig and put one of these one piece tailgates on it. Kewl!!

Did the factory tailgate have chains or cables or something to limit the swingdown to 90 degrees?

How'd the spare tire carrier work? Was there a latchhook on the tailgate for it to latch against?

:confused:
 
'66 FST tailgate

I'm not the expert here - but the tailgate was common to the FST. Chains allow the tailgate to go down to 90 deg. Spare tire has a mount plate that bolts to the tub. The mount plate has a latch identical to the ones that hold the tailgate.
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you can still get right hand latches from Toyota. I bought 2 and modified one for the drivers side and made my own catches. used them on a m-416 trailer
 
Nice hardware, Vegas!

I'd like to see a full tailgate set-up, all installed. Anyone have pics? I'd love to remove the two half doors from my rig and put one of these one piece tailgates on it. Kewl!!

Did the factory tailgate have chains or cables or something to limit the swingdown to 90 degrees?

How'd the spare tire carrier work? Was there a latchhook on the tailgate for it to latch against?

:confused:

Made this tailgate from a very trashed set of half doors. Had to make the hinges, stationary latches, and chain hangers also. You can find the right-side latches, as noted above. Get two right-side latches and convert one of them to left-side. All it takes is time and patience.

Lengthened my tire carrier about 3-1/2" inboard to stop the spare from getting hung up on trees along the trail and integrated the carrier latch into the middle tailgate hinge.
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Nice work spotcruiser. You grafted two halfdoors into one tailgate. I like it. :bounce2:
 
Spotcruiser - You don't, by chance, have a template for these do you?
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If so, are you willing to pass it along? I'm adding a tailgate to my '76 that has the hinge holes for the amby doors and I need to make these myself. Unless, of course.......you want to make me a pair......I'll happily pay $$.

In fact, if you made more of those tailgates with all the hardware, I'm sure you'd have a pretty profitable side business. Just sayin'.......

Good work.....:beer::beer::cool:
 
I'll make a quick sketch of them for you. There's no money in producing any these parts for other folks. It's all hand work and there's a limit to what somebody is willing to pay for something like this. I could make more money working at McD's. It's definitely a labor of love.

If you need other dimensions, let me know.

Spotcruiser - You don't, by chance, have a template for these do you?
4158385010_f62e03dda0.jpg


If so, are you willing to pass it along? I'm adding a tailgate to my '76 that has the hinge holes for the amby doors and I need to make these myself. Unless, of course.......you want to make me a pair......I'll happily pay $$.

In fact, if you made more of those tailgates with all the hardware, I'm sure you'd have a pretty profitable side business. Just sayin'.......

Good work.....:beer::beer::cool:
 
You rock! Thanks a bunch.....

I understand what you're saying about it being a labor of love. I would think, though, that with the hardware, hinges and the tailgate, you could do around $500 for a set. I'll bet people would pony up for something as clean as what you have there.

Well, either way, you've done a great job.....thanks for the sketch, in advance....
 
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They're pretty simple. Just 2 x 2 angle.
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I think I'll make a second set for the upper hinge holes with a tab to mount camp lights.....

I don't follow. That is the upper hinge mount (ambulance door) in the photo.
 
You're right. That isn't the upper hinge mount in my photo. I didn't think about it with a top on.

Good idea. Lights back there would be real handy when cooking or doing something on the tailgate.
 
nice looking tailgate and set up............
 
got a right side4 latch on ebay (says its a barn door latch but looks just like a right side), I can fab up the catch. was thinking of another one and taking my plasma cutter and cutting the plate off and welding it on the other side for the left side latch.
 

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