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Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks  Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
Lots of work on Brad's part ... pure enjoyment (and references) for you!
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For helping keep this great
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| | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,983 Sir Searchalot | | Sir Searchalot Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,983 | Hand out cards with a picture of it and the price. Get the "Square" credit card "kiosk". Sell it on the spot at swap meets, etc.
Right is right, even if everyone is against it, and wrong is wrong, even if everyone is for it. - William Penn
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,997 Big Bolt Forum Co-moderator | | Big Bolt Forum Co-moderator Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,997 | Neat piece of engineering. Reminds me of the tailgate on a Willys Station Wagon. But of course it wasn't as nice as this one, and didn't retract. It was two pieces of rod with a joint in the middle that pivoted.
A day without laughter is a day wasted- Charlie Chaplin
When wrestling a grizzly bear, you have to keep at it until the bear gets tired, not when you get tired. 1948 Chevy 2-Ton | | | | | Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 256 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 256 | "Neat piece of engineering....it wasn't as nice as this one, and didn't retract."
Super55: Thank You for the positive comment! | | | | | Joined: Jul 2013 Posts: 160 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jul 2013 Posts: 160 | I was just commenting on the look. I looked at my '51 tailgate and now see the s-hook needs to be different to work on this era gate.
Do you have a photo of one of those installed? | | | | | Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 52 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 52 | | | | | | Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 256 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 256 | topcat...thanks for the compliment. Nhlustruck: yes I understand your comment regarding the look of the S-Link vs the chain....personal preference, life's full of choices.... for your 47-53 AD tailgate the S-link is different in that rather the two loops being in the same plane they are turned 90 degrees from each other: 47-53 AD tailgate S-Link ….and with the perspective of the bed to the tailgate also being different than the 54-87 AD tailgate….here’s how the link would index into your 47-53 AD tailgate when closed (and I apologize for how crude this looks but you’ll get the idea)…. 53 AD tailgate sitting on workbench
cardboard bedside template next to 53 AD tailgate
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 256 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 256 | | | | | | Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 256 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 256 | Nhluvstruck; all said, the S-Link doesn't stand out as much on the 47-53 AD version, and also the magnet I'll use is a .125"x1.5"x1.5" rubberized magnet....lays flatter on the return on the bedside. | | | | | Joined: Jul 2013 Posts: 160 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jul 2013 Posts: 160 | Nhluvstruck; all said, the S-Link doesn't stand out as much on the 47-53 AD version, and also the magnet I'll use is a .125"x1.5"x1.5" rubberized magnet....lays flatter on the return on the bedside. I get it now, that does look pretty good. I'd paint the magnet and hook to match the gate and it would be barely noticeable. | | | | | Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 256 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 256 | Hi Dusty, thanks for the input. I checked out your 40 PU in the gallery.....well done, I like the stake pockets. You do beautiful work! | | | | | Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 256 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 256 | The May issue of the classic truck magazine has an article detailing the install of a set of steel folding tailgate links. Its a great piece if you're considering that option, however, as you read the story consider all the work involved, versus the S-Link Tailgate Chain Eliminator, which takes maybe an hour to install...... | | |
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