Tailgate Latch

[TonkaC]

I was just wondering what you are using to hold close an aftermarket tailgate. I've made mine out of 3/16" diamond plate steel and used the factory lower gate hinges for it. I like the look of the original hinges on it. I have two thoughts:

1. use the original latch that held the bottom swing gates closed, but that will only give me one side, the other side would be upside down or I would have to find one somewhere like it.

2. use the latch for the top door, but that would make my top door unusable if I ever want to put the hard top back on.

or I have to come up with a third option.

TIA, Chris

 

[haystax]

www.alegiscorp.com is where I got the latches for my tailgate project. They have a ton of stuff in their catalog, almost too many choices.

What's up with the Heep style tail lights?

 

[nuclearlemon]

get oem tailgate latches. i think ccot has them new if no one has used ones

 

[Gumby]

I found a neat pair of latches on an old Toyota p/u in a junk yard. They look just like the ones on the w/s of the pre-dash pad 40s.

Or a pair of semi-truck hood hold downs on the inside might be kind of cool.