Tailgate Band Measurements

[chiefburns]

I bought a tailgate band for my 76 GMC and was wondering if someone who had one on their truck would send me the measurements to the bolt hole locations. I've tried the "grease on the bolt head" trick but I wanted to confirm the exact locations before I actually drilled them.

 

[Scott91370]

I won't be home tonight but if you remind me tomorrow night I can get a pic with measurements for you. I have a tailgate with the band already removed so it will be really easy.

 

[Grit dog]

If you don’t get the measurements by this weekend I can measure.
Old 3 bolt style or newer 4 bolt?
i have both currently.

 

[Scott91370]

Good question! I have the 4 bolt style.

 

[Grit dog]

I’m pretty sure it changed in 81.
Got a tailgate supposedly from a 1980. It’s 3 bolt and the tailgate profile is different.
The brace on the back needs trimmed and bolts relocated if used on newer models.

 

[Doppleganger]

So what was the measurements? I'm thinking of adding one myself.

 

[Scott91370]

I totally dropped the ball on this. My truck is in the paint shop for a few weeks and it is the 4 hole style.

If this hasn't been answered by the time I get it back I can measure.

 

[Termite_Delight]

Not the best pics.

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My '76 GMC has 5 holes about 14 3/8" apart. This is for the wide band, don't know what the narrow band has. 1981 and up is different.

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[AuroraGirl]

i have 2 3 bolt tailgates.. so what you are saying bolt wise.. on the front?

both arent exactly clear shots, but both are intact. Althought one is kinked significantly so a measurement across may have upwards an inch off
1977 and 1980 presumably, but i dont know for 100%

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[75gmck25]

The original taligate on my '75 had the GMC logo centered (like the pictures Auroragirl posted) , and the aluminum/chrome piece in the center was more of a wide insert than a band. However, my truck bed was in such bad shape that I bought one from a newer wrecked truck, so I now have a '75 cab with an early 80's bed. Newer trucks have the wide tailgate band (like picture posted by Termite_Delight), and the logo is on the left or right, depending on whether its a GMC or Chevrolet.

I still have my original '75 tailgate and trim, but won't be at the house where is stored until sometime late next week. If you still want measurements, send me a PM and I can get them for you.

Bruce

 

[Termite_Delight]

The original taligate on my '75 had the GMC logo centered (like the pictures Auroragirl posted) , and the aluminum/chrome piece in the center was more of a wide insert than a band. However, my truck bed was in such bad shape that I bought one from a newer wrecked truck, so I now have a '75 cab with an early 80's bed. Newer trucks have the wide tailgate band (like picture posted by Termite_Delight), and the logo is on the left or right, depending on whether its a GMC or Chevrolet.

I still have my original '75 tailgate and trim, but won't be at the house where is stored until sometime late next week. If you still want measurements, send me a PM and I can get them for you.

Bruce

The band I posted is an early one (70's), the later (80's) wide band has a black line around the perimeter.
There are 3 different bands that I know of, 2 in the 70's (wide & narrow) and one in the 80's (wide)

 

[Grit dog]

I totally dropped the ball on this. My truck is in the paint shop for a few weeks and it is the 4 hole style.

If this hasn't been answered by the time I get it back I can measure.

Me too.
You are best off to not take measurements from the internet people, but rather lay it out on your own.
Don’t just measure from one end. That’s a tripe for failure for anything you’re trying to “center”.
Mark center on both pieces and then measure from center each way.