tailgate removal

[bigk]

how does the tailgate come off a 71 sweptline?

[soopernaut]

You lower to the open position. You will see #4 Phillips head screws on the tailgate pivots, remove these screws. You may need to drill them out if you can't get them out with any other tools.

If it is a Camper Special truck you won't need any tools to remove the tailgate. It will be an easy off tailgate.

[nfury8]

Probably will need lots of PB Blaster also. I tried to weld a nut on to one on my new bed,
and still ended up twisting it off. This was after half a can of PB Blaster and the welder
had them bright red. I am afraid to see what the other 4 will take!

[ozzie]

if you want to save lot of time and, aggravation, do what I did. cut a slot out of the tailgate just wide enough to slip the tailgate out of the cone shaped pivot. with the tailgate down mark it on the bottom with two lines wide enough to slip it off. then cut that section out. this works like a dream.OZZIE.

[Hobcobble]

if you want to save lot of time and, aggravation, do what I did. cut a slot out of the tailgate just wide enough to slip the tailgate out of the cone shaped pivot. with the tailgate down mark it on the bottom with two lines wide enough to slip it off. then cut that section out. this works like a dream.OZZIE.

This would be the "Ozzie-off" tailgate.....
[That's a good idea. ]
John

[nfury8]

cut a slot out of the tailgate just wide enough to slip the tailgate out of the cone shaped pivot. with the tailgate down mark it on the bottom with two lines wide enough to slip it off. then cut that section out. this works like a dream.OZZIE.

Interesting. Would this be like a Camper Special Tailgate?
I am having a hard time visualizing it though.

[soopernaut]

cut a slot out of the tailgate just wide enough to slip the tailgate out of the cone shaped pivot. with the tailgate down mark it on the bottom with two lines wide enough to slip it off. then cut that section out. this works like a dream.OZZIE.

Interesting. Would this be like a Camper Special Tailgate?
I am having a hard time visualizing it though.

I am thinking it would be like the homemade version of this. The Camper Special tailgate probably used a different pivot on one side like the modern trucks do. Instead of being a circle like the normal pivots is was probably more of a rectangle which would line up with a slot in the tailgate when at a 45* angle.

I'm guessing Ozzie just cut a slot in the very bottom part of the tailgate that rides on the pivot. You could probably pull it out at any position but gravity would hold it in place in most postions.

[ozzie]

actually, with the gate in the upright position, the first cut is at the very bottom of the tailgate, and the second one is 2 inches from that going out towards the front of the gate. I used a dremmel tool to make the first cut on the bottom of the gate, as it is small enough to get in the space. the second cut I used an air saw, and then cut to meet the two cuts. once you the gate off grind smooth, and put some paint to keep from rusting. sorry for the long winded post Ozzie.

[bigk]

could you possibly post a pic of the slot you made? kenny

[nfury8]

I second that request!

[ozzie]

I am unable to post a picture of the tailgate,but if you guys would send me your email I will send you a picture of the tailgate. my email is, oznoff67@msn.com Ozzie.

[HellBelly]

ozzie, we need to sort out your picture posting issues. Can you send me a picture that your unable to post. sweptlineadmin@gmail.com

[Russ]

If you are going to modify your tailgate I would say to be sure that you consider that the FRONT of the tailgate referred to in Ozzie's post is the rear side when installed on a truck. Does that make sense? I've never seen a factory removable tailgate but I am thinking that they are made where they won't come off when fully closed or fully open. I always thought that you have them at about a 45 degree angle to get them off. I also wonder if the pivot is different.

[Oldguy]

Okay, the one on my 68 Camper Special, on the passenger side, had a pivot that was rectangular and not round and fit into a slot on the base of the tailgate. It had to be at a 45 degree angle to remove it. I don't have it anymore or I would post pics. I'm sure it would be easy enough to convert one. That is, if you can get the screws out so you can remove it to work on it! LOL Mike

[RussRoth]

Okay, the one on my 68 Camper Special, on the passenger side, had a pivot that was rectangular and not round and fit into a slot on the base of the tailgate. It had to be at a 45 degree angle to remove it.

That's the way the tailgate was on my '73.

[HellBelly]

Here is the image ozzie sent me today of his tailgate. I'll let him describe what we have here.

[ozzie]

as you can see the left side of the tailgate is where I trimmed off the sheet metal. this pic. was taken before I finished painting the truck. that rough edge was sanded a little smoother. Ozzie.