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Few things are less rudimentary on stepside trucks than a chain-link latch pin (hook) setup. Obtrusive, clunky, and the “best” way to scratch up a nice paintjob—yet they were the norm for GM stepsides clear up to 1987. Other than swapping the chains for smaller-diameter, vinyl-coated braided cable, for those who want a cleaner look that still affords a manner in which to keep the gate from dropping on the ground when released, there is an answer.
Brothers Trucks has a combination of components comprising a pretty neat “kit” to solve that rudimentary aspect in a less obtrusive yet more functional manner. To eliminate the chains, their fleetside-style stainless links integrate into the tailgate with minor modification; the spring-loaded latches hide within the top roll of the gate, with access from the inner side; urethane hinge bushings provide a smoother operation—all together making a clean chainless setup that works as well as, if not better, than a modern tailgate latching mechanism.
While installation is not quite as straightforward as bolting components in place, the cutting and drilling (and subsequent welding/grinding for those who wish to finish off the bed side rails) is rather simple, even for the novice builder. Brothers even supplies laser-cut sheetmetal templates for integrating the links, allowing you to precisely plot and make cuts and drill holes in the gate and bedrails as well.
Products Used in This Installation
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- Hidden tailgate latch/link essentials (R-L): urethane hinge bushings, stainless spring-loaded latches, and polished links, all available on our website. (The new 1954-72 stepside tailgate at the top of this photo is available on our website also.)
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- Using the supplied template, attach to the inner vertical bedside rail (tailgate channel) with the notching facing inward toward the cab, as shown. Mark and drill a 5/16 hole on each side
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- Install the supplied stainless fixed pivot pins with the button-head Allen bolts.
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- Using the same templates, place and align on the inside face of the tailgate, as shown. Set approximately 3-11/16 inches above the bottom of the gate, which should place the top of the template 14-15/16 from the bottom.
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- Mark the area of the notch onto the tailgate skin clearly with a marker or paint pen
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- Using a thin-bladed cutoff wheel, trim out the marked area; deburr any sharp edges with a file
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- Brothers’ urethane bushing upgrade replaces the antiquated steel-on-steel tailgate pivot. As the originals are male and female oriented (R and L), insert the left side into the tailgate while bolted the right to the bed rail.
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- With the gate modified, set it into place with the new bushings and hang the links onto the installed pivot pins; support and level with the bed itself (not the ground). Secure the links to the gate sides with a clamp; drill two 1/4-inch holes.
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- Installed the stainless hardware with the nyloc half-nuts on the link side (so the buttonheads are visible when the gate is closed).
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- Now that the tailgate is hung, prepare for the hidden latch install by marking the location on each side by spotting the holes with the disassembled latch tube and appropriate sized center punch
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- We made holes using a 5/8-inch Rotabroach cutter on a pneumatic drill. The hole will locate near the inside edge of the tailgate’s top rail (for the spring-loaded lever). Transfer the hole placement on the bedside where the locking pin will insert when the gate is fully closed
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- Next, using the latch tube for reference, laid on the gate positioned as it will install, mark the area to slot for the lever, as well as the anchoring bolt hole
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- Deburr and clean up the slotted hole once you finished trimming it out
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- Insert the still-disassembled latch tube and install with supplied hardware. (You can see Scudellari still has some cleaning up to do on his slot before paint!)
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- Reassemble the latch mechanism by installing the (greased) spring and locking pin followed by the actuating knob.
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- The rubber grommet provided is used in the 1/2-inch hole drilled in the bedside rail for the lock pin.
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- Verify there’s no interference of any components in the operating of the latch mechanism. Using high-quality grease with the assembly will help ensure smooth operation
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- With fit and function set, we finished off the job by cutting the original chain pin tabs off and filling in the notch on the bed rail, as such
24 Comments
Really like that idea. I will order it for my 59 Apache
Do you have a video or instructions for a fleet side tailgate ????
Not at the moment, but we will try to get one made soon! Thanks for the suggestion.
Do you have to pull both pins at the same time to close and lock gate and pull both pins same time to open it?
Yes.
I have the same units but received instructions that when you attach the template to the bedside, you are instructed to insert washers between the template and the bedside. Why is this necessary to do and where are they to be inserted??
That part of the instruction specifically is referring to installation on Fleetside trucks. Thise trucks have a small indent where the bolt goes through and inserting a washer keeps the template flush.
I see that the truck itn not a 1953 chevy bed, this kit fit to my 1953 Chevrolet 3100 short bef??
Yes they will.
What’s the best way to cut the slot for the knobs? Any tips?
We’ve done it a couple ways, but our favorite is to drill the two holes at each end of where the slot will be, and then use a small cutting wheel on a Dremmel to connect them. This will give you the cleanest result. We’ve also done it using a step drill and basically “sawed” our way from end to end. This was functional, but the visual results were not pretty.
Hey were can t get the wheel tubs showen in the picture on that 1955 ????
These are 1960-66 stock fleetside tubs they cut down and used on this ’55. You can get them on our website here: https://www.brotherstrucks.com/60-66-INNER-WHEEL-TUB-PANEL/productinfo/IWT6066/
If you come up with a idea for a fleet side tailgate please inform me .I have a 64 chevy C 10 thank you Jeff PS it would also be nice to install a slow open tailgate shock.
We have a complete hidden latch fleetside tailgate available. check it out on our website at http://www.brotherstrucks.com
Do you have a step by step video for this installation?
I purchased an abandoned 1959 stepside project. It came with set of hidden tailgate latches and pivots, but they are for a 49-53 tailgate. Am I correct that these won’t work on my 59?
We can’t be 100% sure what you have there, but we can tell you that our latches work for all stepsides from 1947-87
Will this work on my 51 Chevrolet stepside? Do you have a video showing my a 51 bed?
We have specific “hidden” latches for the ’51 as well. Check them out on our website https://www.brotherstrucks.com/
Would be awesome to have a video for the tailgate especially for tailgate links. And I see others would also like this. Please
We have that video available now. Please check out our YouTube channel.
Can you post the link to the video, I cannot find it on YouTube. Thank you!!!
There is no video for this installation. Sorry.
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