Blacksmith's truck

[jayco]

This is the tailgate on my old '88 Ford pickup. If you're familiar with this model of truck, you may already know that the tailgate latches for these were notorious for breaking prematurely.

Needless to say, I hadn't had the truck very long when I pulled too hard and snapped the potmetal latch like it was glass. I intended to replace it with a regular latch, until I discovered they cost $40 (This was back when $40 meant something money wise)

Anyway, I replaced the broken latch with these two curved handles made from 1/4 in. round. Pull on the left hook........it releases the right side... and vice-versa.

It's a great conversation piece as well, when I go to the feed store or lumber yard, I'm the only one knows how to open it!

Anyone else ever modify your vehicles?

James Flannery

[philip in china]

When in UK I had a Land Rover. They are all different and heavily customised. So we always look at each other's vehicles. I was looking at one on the road where I worked. I noted his tow hitch was the same as mine, then that he had the same aluminiumn plate on the wings. It was fully 5 minutes before I realised that I was looking at my own vehicle. I had driven in rather than taking the train.

[MooseRidge]

My truck has a similar issue with the tailgate.... but I just push back against it and reach in and flip the sear by hand.....

[ThomasPowers]

my tailgate has a dent in it where I hip bump it to latch one side.

The back bumper also has a side that is a bit rumpled as my daughter backed into a post with it, (new driver), and I made her help remove it from the truck and bring it into the shop and use the screwpress to straighten it back out. Could have probably made it almost perfect but as I told her "The truck is 18 years old and is used by a blacksmith, cosmetics are not worth the time"

Bumpersticker: yellow and black stripes and "Weird Load"

[welder19]

My Chevy has a problem with the latch also but I am able to reach in and squeeze the levers to open it, it's good since no one else can open it so if I have anything in the back that requires the gate be open to get it out I don't have to worry about anyone steeling it, not only that but it's the little things like that which give a truck that " it's my truck" feeling, you know the little flaws that you come to love about a good truck. There's not much more important than a good truck in life.

welder19

[nett]

I have an '88 Ford too, but my tailgate is still in fine working order. The only fault I ever had with that truck was the paint job. After about one year, the paint started peeling off. Ford paid for the new paint job but wasn't happy.

[Donnie]

I have a 96 Chevy truck. Like everyone else my tailgate is a pain in the hind quarters. In my not so humble opinion, the chain and hook on the 50& 60 model tailgates worked just fine.

[cdent]

I had an '88 also. Tailgate worked ok for me. Got a little rusty, but ran great when we gave it to our pastor about two years ago. I really miss the staight six and granny low stick. Didn't do any smithing mods to it, but it hauled anything I threw at it without a wimper.

Take care, Craig

[chyancarrek]

Here's my ol 1950 3/4 ton Chevy doing what she does best . . .

Planning on doing a bunch of woodwork and forge work elements to it and turn it into my "go to market" ride.

[ThomasPowers]

Not moving?