85 Silverado tailgate trim removal

[Westislander]

How do you remove the aluminum Silverado trim that is below the tailgate insert. I know the one on the back of the cab will slide off when you remove the corner trim pieces. Although the piece is similar it does not look like it slides off the end. Possibly press down and roll off? I was hoping for some guidance before I torn it into a pretzel.....TIA for your help

 

[CSFJ]

I believe that the strip below the tailgate insert is held on with adhesive tape.

 

[Westislander]

It is definitely held by clips of some sort, I was able to feel them when I slipped a putty knife behind the trim

 

[Blue Ox]

On an '85 it's glued on. The only pieces that are mechanically attached are the back corners on the bed and the cab trim like CSFJ said.

But maybe someone did something different on yours. A pic wouldn't hurt.

 

[Westislander]

So here it is aluminum trim, I can slide a putty knife easily between the trim and tailgate and slide it to the next clip

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[Blue Ox]

Well, that's definitely different. Mine is glued on like the ones on the sides. Must have been those goofy Canucks.

 

[Westislander]

I know, I may risk it and replace it with stick on

 

[ajd89]

Ive never seen that either. But I wonder if its held on with clips like the ones that hold the trim on on the back of the cab. Your trim looks kind of like that trim. With those you push down on the top and pull out the bottom I believe.

 

[Blue Ox]

I don't know about your specific case, but I've seen square metal clips that have a pin on them with spring barbs that get pushed into holes in the sheet metal. If you can get to the back side you can compress the barbs and push the pins back out, If not it's probably a destroy and replace process.

 

[Craig 85]

I took these pictures today on my '85. It's a plastic clip. Granted my trim is a little loose, but I was able to gently push up on the bottom of the trim and make it slide off the top of the retainer.

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[bucket]

Wtf!!??!! What years got this aluminum trim? I never knew such a piece even existed!

 

[Westislander]

I took these pictures today on my '85. It's a plastic clip. Granted my trim is a little loose, but I was able to gently push up on the bottom of the trim and make it slide off the top of the retainer.

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Thanks Craig! You’re the man!

 

[Westislander]

I just tried putting pressure on the trim and it doesn’t budge, possibly pop it off with a bottle opener type of tool.... similar to drip rail

 

[DanMcG]

So why does my 85 silverado have the taped on vinyl? I got jipped!

 

[Craig 85]

I just tried putting pressure on the trim and it doesn’t budge, possibly pop it off with a bottle opener type of tool.... similar to drip rail

Or something similar in shape to a paint can opener. It's very similar to drip rail trim.

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