tailgate upper hinges, differant lengths? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**bautino95** · 10-05-2018, 06:42 PM

I did a post just a little bit ago about my reinstalled tailgate not laying down all the way. One top hinge takes all the load and the other is loose. Took them both off and one is a little longer then the other. Is this right? I don't remember one being loose when I took it apart. I aslo tried adjusting the hinges and tailgate but just cant seem to get them both tight with the gate down.

**bautino95** · 10-05-2018, 06:44 PM

Pic

71sierragrande · 10-05-2018, 06:51 PM

I have a set I just compared. They are the same length within 1/8 of an inch max. That amount if difference should be negligible. I'd guess your gate or bed has a twist.

Edit: I guess I didn't thoroughly read post 1. If yours are more than a 1/8 inch difference, one may be the wrong support bracket.

**samkost** · 10-05-2018, 08:49 PM

I answered your first post and stated that there is a left and a right hand link.
Does the tailgate close and latch/lock properly?

**bautino95** · 10-06-2018, 12:08 AM

thanks for your reply on the other post. yes tailgate closes and opens fine. I double checked that i have them installed on the correct side. i had both upper hinges off today and one is for sure longer then the other. i will post a pic tomarrow

**bautino95** · 10-09-2018, 08:08 PM

so here are the 2 tailgate arms side by side. see how much longer one is then the other.

**samkost** · 10-09-2018, 08:52 PM

You definitely have a mismatched pair.
I'm not sure but it's possible that one tailgate arm may be from a later year C10 Fleetside 1973 to 1987.
Determine which arm makes your tailgate level then find a matched length replacement.
Good luck

weq92f · 10-09-2018, 08:58 PM

If these had no slack or much less before it was disassembled, as you indicated, you should swap them side to side and reinstall, just to make sure. A previous owner could have made some.. other.. adjustments.

-klb

**bautino95** · 10-09-2018, 09:59 PM

maybe it was slack and i never noticed before. i dont think you can swap sides with them because they have a ramp for tailgate catch bolt to slide onto. if i switch sides the ramp will face backwards.

**bautino95** · 10-09-2018, 10:02 PM

by the way how are the reproduction arms? or should i look for orignals. thanks everyone

weq92f · 10-09-2018, 11:14 PM

D'oh! My bad.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bautino95

maybe it was slack and i never noticed before. i dont think you can swap sides with them because they have a ramp for tailgate catch bolt to slide onto. if i switch sides the ramp will face backwards.

-klb

**Boog** · 10-10-2018, 04:54 AM

One option is to cut and section one piece then welder back up and be done with it.

**CS1972** · 08-04-2020, 08:25 PM

The tailgate hinges on my truck are at the point where the arms connect are tired (extremely loose and catch on the tail light trim/metal), so I found and bought NOS OEM GM labeled 3924246 and 3924245 (old stickers intact). I painted them and went to install only to find the same problem as bautino95, both were exactly 1" different in length. When installed it looked like my tail gate had become a massive spoiler. Did I search and find the wrong part #'s or ???????

Pics are tail gate with old hinges laying flat, new hinges - spoiler effect and the last pic showing the difference in length.

10-05-2018, 06:42 PM	#1
bautino95 Active Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: vallejo, ca Posts: 147	tailgate upper hinges, differant lengths? I did a post just a little bit ago about my reinstalled tailgate not laying down all the way. One top hinge takes all the load and the other is loose. Took them both off and one is a little longer then the other. Is this right? I don't remember one being loose when I took it apart. I aslo tried adjusting the hinges and tailgate but just cant seem to get them both tight with the gate down.

10-05-2018, 06:44 PM	#2
bautino95 Active Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: vallejo, ca Posts: 147	Re: tailgate upper hinges, differant lengths? Pic Attached Images

10-05-2018, 06:51 PM	#3
71sierragrande Petroleum User Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: San Diego, California Posts: 928	Re: tailgate upper hinges, differant lengths? I have a set I just compared. They are the same length within 1/8 of an inch max. That amount if difference should be negligible. I'd guess your gate or bed has a twist. Edit: I guess I didn't thoroughly read post 1. If yours are more than a 1/8 inch difference, one may be the wrong support bracket. __________________ 1971 GMC Sierra Grande 2WD 1/2 ton, 350/400 auto 2008 Chevy Silverado 2WD 1/2 ton LT1 5.3L auto Last edited by 71sierragrande; 10-05-2018 at 07:00 PM.

10-05-2018, 08:49 PM	#4
samkost Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Lake Tapps, Wa. Posts: 607	Re: tailgate upper hinges, differant lengths? I answered your first post and stated that there is a left and a right hand link. Does the tailgate close and latch/lock properly?

10-06-2018, 12:08 AM	#5
bautino95 Active Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: vallejo, ca Posts: 147	Re: tailgate upper hinges, differant lengths? thanks for your reply on the other post. yes tailgate closes and opens fine. I double checked that i have them installed on the correct side. i had both upper hinges off today and one is for sure longer then the other. i will post a pic tomarrow

10-09-2018, 08:08 PM	#6
bautino95 Active Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: vallejo, ca Posts: 147	Re: tailgate upper hinges, differant lengths? so here are the 2 tailgate arms side by side. see how much longer one is then the other. Attached Images

10-09-2018, 08:52 PM	#7
samkost Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Lake Tapps, Wa. Posts: 607	Re: tailgate upper hinges, differant lengths? You definitely have a mismatched pair. I'm not sure but it's possible that one tailgate arm may be from a later year C10 Fleetside 1973 to 1987. Determine which arm makes your tailgate level then find a matched length replacement. Good luck

10-09-2018, 08:58 PM	#8
weq92f Registered User Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Dallas Texas Posts: 2,860	Re: tailgate upper hinges, differant lengths? If these had no slack or much less before it was disassembled, as you indicated, you should swap them side to side and reinstall, just to make sure. A previous owner could have made some.. other.. adjustments. -klb __________________ 67 C10 fleet fuel injected '70 402, 700r4, 3.73 posi 07 335 sport turbo 6sp 94 Trans Am GT LT1 6sp posi -- sold after 22yrs 99 540 sport V8 6sp -- sold 73 240z L24 4sp -- given to friend 68 C10 step 350/350 3.73 open -- sold

10-09-2018, 09:59 PM	#9
bautino95 Active Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: vallejo, ca Posts: 147	Re: tailgate upper hinges, differant lengths? maybe it was slack and i never noticed before. i dont think you can swap sides with them because they have a ramp for tailgate catch bolt to slide onto. if i switch sides the ramp will face backwards. Attached Images

10-09-2018, 10:02 PM	#10
bautino95 Active Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: vallejo, ca Posts: 147	Re: tailgate upper hinges, differant lengths? by the way how are the reproduction arms? or should i look for orignals. thanks everyone

10-10-2018, 04:54 AM	#12
Boog laying low Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Searcy, Ark. USA Posts: 12,946	Re: tailgate upper hinges, differant lengths? One option is to cut and section one piece then welder back up and be done with it. __________________ Boog 69 Chevy stepside, 358/T350, 4.11 posi, 4.5/4 drop, rallys, poboy driver primer is finer 91 Chevy sportside, Tahoe, Yukon & GMC Crewcab All GM..'nuff said. I stand for the flag and kneel at the cross

08-04-2020, 08:25 PM	#13
CS1972 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Austin Texas Posts: 449	Re: tailgate upper hinges, differant lengths? The tailgate hinges on my truck are at the point where the arms connect are tired (extremely loose and catch on the tail light trim/metal), so I found and bought NOS OEM GM labeled 3924246 and 3924245 (old stickers intact). I painted them and went to install only to find the same problem as bautino95, both were exactly 1" different in length. When installed it looked like my tail gate had become a massive spoiler. Did I search and find the wrong part #'s or ??????? Pics are tail gate with old hinges laying flat, new hinges - spoiler effect and the last pic showing the difference in length. Attached Images __________________ Ron 1972 Cheyenne Super 1/2 ton LWB 4x4 - Grapefruit Yellow / White Last edited by CS1972; 08-04-2020 at 08:27 PM. Reason: need to flip pic

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