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Old 05-09-2017, 11:28 AM   #1
Mr.Mike
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1981 C20 Stepside Chevy tailgate

I got several answers on how to remove the tailgate, and most were wrong. You do not close the tailgate to within 6 inches and it pulls up...on a stepside, you have to unbolt the trunnion. The trunnion has a slot and you have to hold it from turning (needle nose vise grips worked for me) and undo the bolt. It's not at all like the other tailgate removals. Just wanted to share in case somebody else has the question. Thanks.
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Old 05-09-2017, 04:06 PM   #2
old Rusty C10
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Re: 1981 C20 Stepside Chevy tailgate

mine was able to pull off like a regular tailgate... perhaps one is original and one was replaced with a different hinge system?
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Old 05-09-2017, 04:29 PM   #3
Mr.Mike
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Re: 1981 C20 Stepside Chevy tailgate

Maybe you are right. I just know mine would not come off like a regular tailgate. Interesting.
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Old 05-21-2017, 03:15 AM   #4
1981Stepside
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Re: 1981 C20 Stepside Chevy tailgate

On my 81 c10 I also had to unbolt the trunion using needle-nose vise grips like Mr. Mike - the steel on the bedside did not have a slot to allow the tailgate to pull up and out like I've also heard.
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Old 05-21-2017, 10:10 AM   #5
Mr.Mike
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Re: 1981 C20 Stepside Chevy tailgate

Quote:
Originally Posted by 1981Stepside View Post
On my 81 c10 I also had to unbolt the trunion using needle-nose vise grips like Mr. Mike - the steel on the bedside did not have a slot to allow the tailgate to pull up and out like I've also heard.
Thanks for verifying that information. Maybe it will help somebody else with the same issue.
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Old 05-21-2017, 10:39 AM   #6
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Re: 1981 C20 Stepside Chevy tailgate

Rather than using needle nose visegrips to keep the trunions from turning, there will be a small hole in the very bottom of the tailgate directly below the trunion. You can insert a screwdriver into the hole. As you turn the bolt and trunion, there will be a slot in the trunion that will line up with your screwdriver. Once the screwdriver is in the slot it can't turn anymore and you can remove the bolt.
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Old 05-21-2017, 10:55 AM   #7
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Re: 1981 C20 Stepside Chevy tailgate

Thanks. I saw that slot on the trunion.....did not see the hole....next time!!
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