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My 2 cents... Get rid of it. Not sure what size tire you are going to run or how valuable inside storage space is to you but I always liked the factory spare carriers that were in the cargo space.
The long piece across the tailgate was never hard mounted on the 81+ trucks. The 2 rear corners are/were though. But the kits are cut long enough to wrap all the way around. I chose to do that at leave the OE tin corners off. That trim doesn’t really like bending that tight and the “chrome” wrinkled a little at the 90deg bend. But good for now.
That's what I thought too but I SWEAR somebody posted a picture of a hard, aluminum piece with clips recently. And it wasn't '73-80 cuz it was right at the bottom of the gate. This is really gonna bother me now lol
Ha, idk. Only thing I can think of like that is the back of cab trim. It's always been and still is clipped.
Nope, was definitely a bed piece haha. I was telling one of our R&D guys about it this morning, idk why I didn't save the picture or bookmark it. Dang it
Yeah! That's what I was talking about. That's not the picture I saw (this one was off the truck and you could see the mounting tabs) but that's exactly what I mean. I've never seen one in person and didn't know that was a thing until I saw that. We're developing our own kit and even he (he's been in the classic truck biz for 25+ years) didn't know about it either. I wonder if that was only certain trucks/plants or what? My truck just has the vinyl but they put all new trim on it when they cut the bed down.
I like SIMS Radiator in Lawrenceville. Been using those guys for over 20 years. Never a problem. I do buy them all a sausage biscuit from the Red Barn across the street tho before the work starts.
That pic. is my truck, I would take it off and get a pic. of the clips and tabs for you but I am afraid I would bust the clips holding it on. But I have seen several with the aluminum piece on the tailgate. The only problem is they get milky looking with age and most people just use the vinyl as a replacement. It was built in Canada if that helps.
Haha oh no, I wouldn't ask ya to do that! We just now found out about it, so I highly doubt they'd wanna tool that piece up. I've already asked around to several friends of mine and none of them knew about it. But if they do want to pony up, I'll definitely let ya know!
Just backing up @Lugnut , my 1987 also has the aluminum corner piece with the vinyl everywhere else. Mine has clearly seen better days but here is a pic:
Those aluminum corners are easily restored, here’s a restored set of original ‘84 trim
