Tailgates

[KilgoreTrout]

Ok, so my truck is an 87 Silverado V10. It has the all steel tailgate with plain raised "Chevrolet" letters on the right side.
I thought 87s (and especially the Silverado trim) would have the tailgate with the aluminum center trim and Chevrolet emblem?
Is this correct?
The tailgate on mine needs replaced (rust holes) when the rest of the truck is basically rust free. That's what initially led me to believe it was replaced at some point.
So does anyone know what's correct? And what years I can use for a correct replacement?
Thanks!

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[CSFJ]

Ok, so my truck is an 87 Silverado V10. It has the all steel tailgate with plain raised "Chevrolet" letters on the right side.
I thought 87s (and especially the Silverado trim) would have the tailgate with the aluminum center trim and Chevrolet emblem?
Is this correct?
The tailgate on mine needs replaced (rust holes) when the rest of the truck is basically rust free. That's what initially led me to believe it was replaced at some point.
So does anyone know what's correct? And what years I can use for a correct replacement?
Thanks!

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The aluminum insert was usually found on the upper trim trucks. I can't recall if it was an individual option or tied to a trim group, however. The base trucks would normally have the plain gate like yours has.

 

[HotRodPC]

I'm thinking you should have had the brushed aluminum tailgate band insert you're talking about. You can always tell if it had the band and someone took just the band off since there are holes drilled for the screws to hold it on. If no holes, someone either filled them, or it was swapped with another tailgate.

 

[Blue Ox]

Right. The band is bolted to the standard tailgate. If you buy a replacement tailgate you have to drill the bolt holes. If it has Chevrolet embossed in it, it is either a GM gate or an authorized repro. Aftermarket parts can't use GM trademarks.

 

[Craig 85]

I couldn't find a good picture on the web, but here's a picture of my '87 GMC in 1989. The Chevy lettering would be on the right vs. the left on a GMC. All '87 Chevy's should have a Fuel Injection emblem on the left of the tail gate above the band. On my GMC it's the rectangular line on the on the right.

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[RoryH19]

Here is my 87R10, Silverado.
It comes with the panel and if I recall doesn't have the Chevrolet stamp in the metal underneath. It would also have the fuel injection tag.
I believe 81-87 PU are the same tailgate and panel.

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[KilgoreTrout]

Here is my 87R10, Silverado.
It comes with the panel and if I recall doesn't have the Chevrolet stamp in the metal underneath. It would also have the fuel injection tag.
I believe 81-87 PU are the same tailgate and panel.

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This is exactly what I'd expect to see.
What I have is this one in green, but with a bunch of rust holes. Heh..

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[KilgoreTrout]

I like the one with the insert better anyway. Now I just need to find one that isn't junk or 1,000 miles away. [emoji16]

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[HotRodPC]

I like the one with the insert better anyway. Now I just need to find one that isn't junk or 1,000 miles away. [emoji16]

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You can put the insert band in any OEM tailgate, just have to drill the holes. It's hard to find a band that's not all dinged up these days. So in the event you find a good band on a trashed or damaged tailgate, grab it. Then you just have to find a good tailgate.

 

[KilgoreTrout]

You can put the insert band in any OEM tailgate, just have to drill the holes. It's hard to find a band that's not all dinged up these days. So in the event you find a good band on a trashed or damaged tailgate, grab it. Then you just have to find a good tailgate.

Good tip, man. Thanks.

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[idahovette]

What are the year separation for the wide bands and the narrow "insert" type bands?

 

[Craig 85]

What are the year separation for the wide bands and the narrow "insert" type bands?

73-80

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81-87

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[KilgoreTrout]

I'm thinking you should have had the brushed aluminum tailgate band insert you're talking about. You can always tell if it had the band and someone took just the band off since there are holes drilled for the screws to hold it on. If no holes, someone either filled them, or it was swapped with another tailgate.

Ok, so I think you cracked the case on this one. Lol....
I believe mine had the original band covering an embossed gate.
Apparently, I'm a bit of a ******* because I just got home and went out to investigate and the 4 worst rust holes are symmetrical and exactly where I'd expect the bolt/screw holes to be holding on the insert.
So I'd bet money that it had an insert at one point, covering an embossed gate.
The screw holes caused the gate to rust either before or after the insert fell off. [emoji16]



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[KilgoreTrout]

So now I can decide whether to cut and weld this one and add an insert to cover up the debacle, or just buy a new gate and junk this one. Haha....
Probably the latter.

But thanks for everyone's help. You guys are alright.

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[HotRodPC]

Ok, so I think you cracked the case on this one. Lol....
I believe mine had the original band covering an embossed gate.
Apparently, I'm a bit of a ******* because I just got home and went out to investigate and the 4 worst rust holes are symmetrical and exactly where I'd expect the bolt/screw holes to be holding on the insert.
So I'd bet money that it had an insert at one point, covering an embossed gate.
The screw holes caused the gate to rust either before or after the insert fell off. [emoji16]



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YEP, that will happen. And yes, GM didn't make a separate gate for the bands, so all the tailgates are embossed. Just that some of the higher end trim level trucks got holes drilled for the band to be attatched and the more base models did not.