tailgate latches early J-series truck

[eBrite]

I recently picked up a '70 Gladiator and the tailgate did not have any latches to secure the tailgate up. Has someone made these or have they been able to find a replacement set? I saw a set on ebay but for chevy fleetside 58-66 https://www.ebay.com/itm/58-66-Chevy-Tr ... :0&vxp=mtr

Would these work? I don't have anything to compare them to. Any information would be helpful, even a picture and/or measurements of the real deal. I am also curious how the mounting is done also.

Thanks.

[BCRAWLER]

What style box do you have?

[eBrite]

What style box do you have?

Fleetside ...



Dont mind the naked latches ... wrong side markers ... missing tailgate Work in progress

[tgreese]

As I recall, they are bars that go across, and the slot goes over the tab. The tailgate chains hook through the holes. They look like the Chevy part, and those might work, but there's no guarantee without some measurements. And you'd need the bolts to hold one end.

I would expect that there are extras around, since the beds will rust out much faster than the latches will wear out. Try posting to the "want to buy" forums here and at IFSJA.

[Phils67]

Its basically just a bolt.

[eBrite]

Its basically just a bolt.

Are you selling those? If not, you mind taking one out and showing what it looks like all apart with the pieces?

Thanks.

[Phils67]

If you take the cover off behind the tail light panel you will see a square nut which is welded. It uses a bolt that looks to be 7/16 coarse thread, 2" long, and has a special head (picture a ball cut in half with 2 flat sides). There is a jam nut on it between the head of the bolt and the panel. Between the jam nut and head is a 8.5" curved bar with a 3/8 wide x 1.25" groove which is parallel to the bar that goes over the tabs on the gate. The chain itself is 12" long and then the hook adds about 4 inches or so. The chains can be found online new, usually on the bay under M715 parts. If you cant find the curved bar they attach to you can easily make one. For the bolt that attaches it, if it were me, I would buy a stainless carriage bolt and nut of the sizes I mentioned and round off the squared portion below the head, then give the head a flat spot on 2 sides and be done with it. I will try to upload more pics shortly. And no, I wont sell those. Sorry

[Phils67]

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre ... 2493324108
Here is a link to the chains

[Phils67]

I recently picked up a '70 Gladiator and the tailgate did not have any latches to secure the tailgate up. Has someone made these or have they been able to find a replacement set? I saw a set on ebay but for chevy fleetside 58-66 https://www.ebay.com/itm/58-66-Chevy-Tr ... :0&vxp=mtr

Would these work? I don't have anything to compare them to. Any information would be helpful, even a picture and/or measurements of the real deal. I am also curious how the mounting is done also.

Thanks.

I just looked at the link, I would say contact the seller for general dimensions if you are uncomfortable buying them blind, however they look like basically the same thing. Personally for that price I would just take the gamble.

[Phils67]

[eBrite]

All that information is immensely helpful. I was having trouble understanding how the latch was able to rotate with the bolt tight. Thought maybe it was a shouldered bolt but the nut makes it easier to reproduce. Thanks again.

[Phils67]

A shouldered bolt may work as well. If you have any other questions on dimensions you may need just ask. Keep me updated if you try that GM one. I'm real interested if that works or not

[Phils67]

One last pic for the night, this shows the bar next to a tape so if you make your own you'll have a general idea where the bends need to be .

[eBrite]

Once I get it figured all out, I will update in here. Thanks again