Stovebolt.com Forums The Shop Area Making a Stovebolt Bed Tailgate stops

Here's pics of how I do it; shape of hook doesn't gouge paint. You can sit on it without harm. I also like bicycle inner tubes for covers.

I think if you switch the chains to the opposite side of the truck it won't contact the paint if they are made right. I've seen this before where the R and L designations are stamped wrong. As Joe H said, the bend in the hook should prevent contact with the paint when you open the tailgate and hold it horizontal with the chains.

Mark

Right. So weird. Mine are clearly stamped L and R but looking at the pics from skooter I think I need to try swapping. Very peculiar. Thank you

The 47-53 hooks are not the same as the 54 hooks
Non of the photos above are the correct hook for the tailgate they are on
The photos all appear to be 54 hooks or newer
The 47-53 hooks have a 3d twist shape in them
They cannot lay flat

There are photos in previous threads about the shapes of the hooks and examples of correct shape and deformed shape side by side
The hooks weren’t the best design because just the slamming force of the tailgate can deform them
Many parts websites don’t know the difference between the different year hooks so their photos aren’t a great source for authenticity
-s

Added a photo of supposedly original correct shape 47-53 tailgate chains
Notice they are not as closed and the hook and loops are not in a flat plane
These are not my chains the photo is from a previous discussion
This topic has been done a few times before in the forums

Some pics of my original 54 3100 chain set-up. Chains had been repaired over the years but the hooks are original to the truck. Had this truck since new.

It may not be showing in my photos but mine are a 3D shape. The issue for me was that they were simply mislabeled L and R. It seems improbable but it’s true. I swapped them and the fit now makes sense. I think we are now just shamelessly posting close up pics of our tailgate paint jobs. 😁😁

Jethro…. “Had the truck since new”

Wowwwwww. That’s awesome 👍👍

50Shep,

In your first photo you hook the gate from the outside in.

Mine seems to naturally hook from the inside out. The indentation in the vertical part of the gate allows the hook and its base to nestle.

Obviously there is no right or wrong way but I was wondering if there are any factory photos showing which way Chevrolet intended the hook to be inserted.