1981-82 Metal Lower Tailgate Mldg

[BadBowtie]

I have an early production LOWER tailgate molding that I pulled from a 1981-82 full size truck in a salvage yard in the late 1980s.

Fast forward to 2024... What I can not remember is how it was attached???

Was it just several BIG blocks of 3M type double sided tape??

It is item #14 in the attached GM parts schematic.

I do not remember any metal or plastic clips like the rear cab molding or the earlier 1973-80 bodyside metal strips use.

Does anyone else even remember this early design- Or even have one on their current 1981-82 trucks?? This is not the peel and stick trim molding like used on all other 1982-87 trucks all the way around- Now aftermarket.



Thanks,

Jon in TX.

 

[Keith Seymore]

I did not remember them being any different than the later years (fully adhesive w/o clips).

The elimination of clips and holes was a corrosion prevention measure.

K

 

[TotalyHucked]

From my vast research on the subject, it looks like there were some plastic clips that were 3M'd to the tailgate that the molding then attached to

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[bucket]

From my vast research on the subject, it looks like there were some plastic clips that were 3M'd to the tailgate that the molding then attached to

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Typically when GM used those types of clips, they have snapped onto nail-head studs that are welded to the sheetmetal. Much like the rear cab bands.

 

[TotalyHucked]

Typically when GM used those types of clips, they have snapped onto nail-head studs that are welded to the sheetmetal. Much like the rear cab bands.

You're right, but I think these may well have just been tape. Though it's so hard to find any info on this setup at all though, I can't say for sure.

 

[bucket]

You're right, but I think these may well have just been tape. Though it's so hard to find any info on this setup at all though, I can't say for sure.

They could have been, I can't remember. Most of those early trucks have been gone from my area for a long time.

 

[BadBowtie]

Yeah. thanks for the replies guys. Wish I could get a PN# for a clip.

I remember the junkyard truck did not have holes left on the tailgate's sheetmetal, so it must have been those large clips with a LARGE band of 3M adhesive tape that held these things on the early trucks. After all there is NOT a lot of wind resistance trying to pull that molding off the bottom of a TAILGATE. LOL!!

At least I know I am NOT crazy!!

 

[idahovette]

I dunno.. I think maybe ALL of us Square Body owners are crazy^^^^^^^^to a degree....lol

 

[BadBowtie]

From my vast research on the subject, it looks like there were some plastic clips that were 3M'd to the tailgate that the molding then attached to

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Wished I could make out a PN# on one of those black, plastic, clips.

 

[PrairieDrifter]

Wished I could make out a PN# on one of those black, plastic, clips.

I've got some. I can take a look in the next couple days. They are indeed just taped on I believe. This one has no holes either.

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[BadBowtie]

That would be AWESOME "Prairie Drifter". It's odd this style of metal stamped lower tailgate molding came on the 1981-82 models.

Those tailgates all had the small, square block "ESC" badge in 1981. Or that massive "Electronic Spark Control" 2-tone badge with those two big 1/4" pins going thru the sheet metal in 1982.

I do not see that on this white tailgate of yours. Though the peel and stick 1981 badge could have been removed or fallen off 30 years ago. LOL.

 

[PrairieDrifter]

That would be AWESOME "Prairie Drifter". It's odd this style of metal stamped lower tailgate molding came on the 1981-82 models.

Those tailgates all had the small, square block "ESC" badge in 1981. Or that massive "Electronic Spark Control" 2-tone badge with those two big 1/4" pins going thru the sheet metal in 1982.

I do not see that on this white tailgate of yours. Though the peel and stick 1981 badge could have been removed or fallen off 30 years ago. LOL.

No problem, might even get them out to you. But yeah I can't see any other holes or spots where anything else was attached. It doesn't look like it's got any bondo or anything either. I just picked up the gate this last spring here.

 

[bucket]

That would be AWESOME "Prairie Drifter". It's odd this style of metal stamped lower tailgate molding came on the 1981-82 models.

Those tailgates all had the small, square block "ESC" badge in 1981. Or that massive "Electronic Spark Control" 2-tone badge with those two big 1/4" pins going thru the sheet metal in 1982.

I do not see that on this white tailgate of yours. Though the peel and stick 1981 badge could have been removed or fallen off 30 years ago. LOL.

Wasn't the ESC only on the 1/2 ton 2wd's?

 

[HotWheelsBurban]

Wasn't the ESC only on the 1/2 ton 2wd's?

IIRC it was the 305 and 350 4 barrels. Our '81 Sierra shop truck had a 305 2 barrel (dual jet). So no ESC badge...but I remember seeing a lot of trucks with that badge, back in the day. I was in high school in the early 80s....

 

[BadBowtie]

No problem, might even get them out to you. But yeah I can't see any other holes or spots where anything else was attached. It doesn't look like it's got any bondo or anything either. I just picked up the gate this last spring here.

Oh that's FREAKING AWESOME!!

I am just south of you, in a city called Wichita Falls, TX. 76308.