Installing tailgate band

84 Shorty · Jul 17, 2018

Wanting to install a tailgate band, problem is I don’t have any screw holes to go off of to mount it. What would be the best way to transfer over the mounting holes to the tailgate?

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Craig 85 · Jul 17, 2018

Here's a picture I found on the internet to give you a ballpark. Maybe make a paper template of the raised area of the back side of the trim? IIFC that sits down in the channel of the gate.

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Big Chip · Jul 17, 2018

Put it wrong side out on the gate. Mark the vertical locations and measure off a body line or the edge of the gate for the horizontal locations.

smoothandlow84 · Jul 17, 2018

Or use 3m double sided moulding tape. I filled in all of the holes back when I did bodywork and used the tape instead. Grainger sells a roll of the high strength adhesive tape for $20. If you ever have to remove the trim moulding, you wont have holes to be concerned with. I also filled all of the holes due to water and rust. Late model vehicles all use adhesive.

84 Shorty · Jul 17, 2018

smoothandlow84 said:
Or use 3m double sided moulding tape. I filled in all of the holes back when I did bodywork and used the tape instead. Grainger sells a roll of the high strength adhesive tape for $20. If you ever have to remove the trim moulding, you wont have holes to be concerned with. I also filled all of the holes due to water and rust. Late model vehicles all use adhesive.

Thought about that, just wasn’t sure how well it would hold up. Double sided tape seems like the better option for me, thanks.

bucket · Jul 17, 2018

Put a loose fitting nail in each bolt hole, with a little ball of dum dum (or similar) on the nail heads. Stick the panel into position on the tailgate and carefully lift it straight up off the tailgate. The holes go where the nails are stuck down.

smoothandlow84 · Jul 17, 2018

84 Shorty said:
Thought about that, just wasn’t sure how well it would hold up. Double sided tape seems like the better option for me, thanks.

I was apprehesive about using the 3m tape too.....but DAMN that stuff is sticky ! I have my cab mouldings attached with it and I doubt it will come off without a huge fight. I didnt want to drill any holes and liked the option of taking it off (although it will be a huge pita to do so).

Blue Ox · Jul 18, 2018

Keep in mind most manufacturing decisions are based on cost, not making a superior product. That's just what marketing tells you to get you to buy "cost effective" solutions. So just because they're using adhesives now doesn't necessarily mean it's better. It just eliminates multiple installation steps on the production line.

Tuggnice · Mar 10, 2023

smoothandlow84 said:
I was apprehesive about using the 3m tape too.....but DAMN that stuff is sticky ! I have my cab mouldings attached with it and I doubt it will come off without a huge fight. I didnt want to drill any holes and liked the option of taking it off (although it will be a huge pi

smoothandlow84 said:

Or use 3m double sided moulding tape. I filled in all of the holes back when I did bodywork and used the tape instead. Grainger sells a roll of the high strength adhesive tape for $20. If you ever have to remove the trim moulding, you wont have holes to be concerned with. I also filled all of the holes due to water and rust. Late model vehicles all use adhesive.

Click to expand...

How's your band holding up with the double sided tape? did you use Graingers?

Grit dog · Mar 10, 2023

What am I missing?
Measure the bolt locations on the trim piece and lay them out on the tailgate.
For best accuracy, mark center on tailgate and trim. Measure the distance each way from that. That will guarantee L to R center.

Vertically I believe they’re centered in that portion of the tailgate.

I could measure my factory 80s style holes for you. But imo would be better served to just measure your trim piece.

Fwiw, seems like trim tape would be difficult. Although it would keep from drilling. Tough part is I don’t believe the center section of the trim piece really contacts the sheetmetal completely. Only at the bolt locations. Would have to do a little noodling on it so your $400 piece of trim doesn’t fall off and get run over by the car behind you!

Fwiw for others, the 70s style and 80s style tailgates are different as are the mounting bolt locations (and 3 vs 4 ea) and reinforcement piece is different.
Although each can be made to fit the other style tailgate with a little trimming of the reinforcement and relocating the mounting bolts on the trim panel (if the tailgate is already drilled).

I’ve been planning to mount a 70s panel to our 80s truck. But I haven’t restored the panel and emblem yet so the $8 GMC sticker is doin the job for now.

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Craig 85 · Mar 14, 2023

Grit dog said:
I’ve been planning to mount a 70s panel to our 80s truck. But I haven’t restored the panel and emblem yet so the $8 GMC sticker is doin the job for now.
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I'm not sure the 70's full size trim will fit the 81 and up gate. I know the 1/2 size one does not due to the shape of the 81+ gate. The slope by the GMC on you gate prevents it.

73-80

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81-87

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Grit dog · Mar 14, 2023

@Craig 85
Yes you’re correct. 70s full height trim wont fit 80s tailgate without modifications.
The panel is the same size but the reinforcing needs to be trimmed down to clear where you pointed to and new screw holes located on that piece to match the 4 holes in the tailgate.

miguelt4 · Aug 21, 2024

smoothandlow84 said:
Or use 3m double sided moulding tape. I filled in all of the holes back when I did bodywork and used the tape instead. Grainger sells a roll of the high strength adhesive tape for $20. If you ever have to remove the trim moulding, you wont have holes to be concerned with. I also filled all of the holes due to water and rust. Late model vehicles all use adhesive.

How has the 3m hold up did you use it on the tailgate band?

HotWheelsBurban · Aug 21, 2024

Craig 85 said:
I'm not sure the 70's full size trim will fit the 81 and up gate. I know the 1/2 size one does not due to the shape of the 81+ gate. The slope by the GMC on you gate prevents it.

73-80

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81-87

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And the 73-74 GMC tailgate doesn't have the letters/emblem in the center; it's stamped in the upper left side. Therefore the full size trim piece for those two years are smooth (another mod Dad did on his '75; back then he just bought a trim piece from the dealer!).

84GMCSierra · Nov 29, 2024

I used orange painters masking tape. Put it on the back of the band, marked the holes then transferred it to the tailgate. I have a Chevy band but put GMC SIERRA emblems from a 93 Sierra on it

Installing tailgate band

84 Shorty

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