Tailgate Handle Repro Question

[PabloCruise]

I was looking at a broken tailgate handle I have and came up with a question...

It looked like someone along the line drilled or otherwise removed the pins that form the hinge of the handle and replaced with bolts.

If we ever made reproduction tailgate handles, it seems like it would be less expensive to make them with bolts instead of a press-fit pin.

But this method would likely mean that you have to install the base of the handle, then insert the actual handle part into the tailgate, and then bolt together inside the tailgate.

Would this work for people? Would you purchase if we made some this way?

 

[scrapdaddy]

Pablo,

Don't you have be on the inside of the tailgate, to work on the handle anyway. If there's only one option, then they would buy it.

 

[PabloCruise]

Pablo,

Don't you have be on the inside of the tailgate, to work on the handle anyway. If there's only one option, then they would buy it.

You are correct, you do have to be in the gate to hook up the latch mechanism.
This would just make the install a 2-step vs. 1 step process.
I think if you try to design for a press-in pin things will get more expensive than need be...

But you don't need a handle in your current configuration, eh?

 

[scrapdaddy]

Odd enough, I have two good handles. Between three tailgates, I'll have enough stuff to make one good gate.

 

[PabloCruise]

Odd enough, I have two good handles. Between three tailgates, I'll have enough stuff to make one good gate.

Could I possibly borrow one of your good ones (if need be) for prototype? I have a spare broken one, hope that is sufficient.

 

[scrapdaddy]

Lil' John,

How you describe your handles is the same as my two. Bolts with a nut and cotter key.

If you want to send Pablo one, then I won't. Let me know.

 

[PabloCruise]

Thanks all.

I'll see if we can get some estimates with the broken one.

Does anyone recall how much these listed for back when Mr. T still made them?

 

[PabloCruise]

The other thing is that we will likely have to take the spring off our old handle and use on the reproduction.

 

[PabloCruise]

It might be possible to find an equivelent on McMaster Carr's website

Hmm, they do have torsion springs, but non appear to have the little "legs" that run 90 degrees to hook the handle pieces...

http://www.mcmaster.com/#torsion-springs/=n8ysgd

 

[PabloCruise]

Looks like the same deal at Grainger.

http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/to...K-16/N-mgg/No-0?Ndr=basedimid10071&sst=subset

Perhaps the ticket is to buy a long torsion spring and bend to fit, not sure how the process to bend them, probably more than basic hand tools.

 

[Midgainc]

Did anyone ever come up with a prototype or make any?

 

[PabloCruise]

Did anyone ever come up with a prototype or make any?

Working on it. I have the broken handle in to get a bid on how much $ it will cost at certain mins...

 

[PabloCruise]

I doubt it, trying to bend spring metal is a little beyond my skill set...

I think folks will have to re-use their spring.

 

[scrapdaddy]

Pablo,

I was messing around with the tailgate parts and thought I'd post a picture of the spring and bolts.

The bolts are different lengths and look like shoulder bolts with a flat head. I'm sure a reg. bolt could work. The longer bolt is to accept the spring in between.

 

[PabloCruise]

Thanks Ron!

The picture of the spring is great too.

I was trying bend my old sping a little to see how easy it might be to create those "legs", forget about it!