1973 Tailgate Trim Band Replacement

[K5 Blazer]

I have a 1973 K5 Blazer and trying to replace the tailgate trim band. Unfortunately, I have not been able to find a clean oem or reproduction one. LMC makes a tailgate trim band for 1981 thru 1991. Does anyone know the difference between a 1973 and 1981 thru 1991 tailgate trim band? Can someone measure their tailgate band, if you have a 1981 to 1991 Blazer or Jimmy?

My tailgate band measurements are 66 3/4" length and 7 1/2" wide.

 

[Tank6x2]

No difference in length, there’s slight manufacturing differences but your talking 1/16 - 1/32”

 

[jimmy1986k5]

The mounting holes are way off as well.

 

[bucket]

The later one has a stamped ridge around the perimeter, with a black painted boarder.

 

[ali_c20]

I have a 1973 K5 Blazer and trying to replace the tailgate trim band. Unfortunately, I have not been able to find a clean oem or reproduction one. LMC makes a tailgate trim band for 1981 thru 1991. Does anyone know the difference between a 1973 and 1981 thru 1991 tailgate trim band? Can someone measure their tailgate band, if you have a 1981 to 1991 Blazer or Jimmy?

My tailgate band measurements are 66 3/4" length and 7 1/2" wide.

You can restore your old one. It is in real good shape and can be done with a little elbow grease. The Chevrolet tailgate emblem is available at OER, LMC, etc.

https://www.gmsquarebody.com/threads/1973-blazer-tailgate-aluminum-panel-restoration.40736/#post-976882

 

[K5 Blazer]

Needed new door hinges put on the Blazer so I took it to the bodyshop. While it was there, I had them restore my original tailgate trim band because I was unable to find a reproduction or replacement trim band that was in excellent shape.

 

[75gmck25]

The ‘73 tailgate and band is a completely different shape than later years. The tailgate has an inset in the middle, and the narrow band fits into the inset. The band does not extend anywhere near the end or top/bottom of the tailgate, since the inset tapers in from birth the top and the sides.

In those years they also centered the embossed (in the metal) Chevrolet or GMC logo on the inset of the tailgate, not set to the left or right like later years.

I can take picture of my ‘75 band and tailgate (they are off the truck) and show you what I mean.

 

[Grit dog]

The ‘73 tailgate and band is a completely different shape than later years. The tailgate has an inset in the middle, and the narrow band fits into the inset. The band does not extend anywhere near the end or top/bottom of the tailgate, since the inset tapers in from birth the top and the sides.

In those years they also centered the embossed (in the metal) Chevrolet or GMC logo on the inset of the tailgate, not set to the left or right like later years.

I can take picture of my ‘75 band and tailgate (they are off the truck) and show you what I mean.

So ‘73 was the only year of the little band and ‘74 -up were all the larger ones? Feel like I’ve seen far too many of the little bands to only be a 1 year offering.
Last blazers I had was a long time ago and they were beaters with heaters , not concerned with aesthetics but I’d think the Blazer trim would mount differently than the trucks because the windows roll down into the tailgate.

 

[bucket]

So ‘73 was the only year of the little band and ‘74 -up were all the larger ones? Feel like I’ve seen far too many of the little bands to only be a 1 year offering.
Last blazers I had was a long time ago and they were beaters with heaters , not concerned with aesthetics but I’d think the Blazer trim would mount differently than the trucks because the windows roll down into the tailgate.

Correct, the Blazer (with fiberglass top) bands are all the large size and they are also different from pickups. Blazers (again, the ones with fiberglass tops) have a flat tailgate without the concave area that pickups have. Also, there is no exterior tailgate handle. Blazers without the optional top just got a pickup tailgate. I've never seen one of those with a tailgate band to know which type they got.

And yes, the smaller tailgate bands were used on pickups at least through '79.

 

[75gmck25]

No, the narrow tailgate band went well beyond ‘73 (my ‘75 has the narrow band).

 

[WFarm]

Here is the tailgate band on my 75 Blazer. Mine came with the fiberglass top.

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