Frequently bought together
Description
A latch kit for the tailgate on a 1976–1987 Squarebody Chevy or GMC. It replaces the old tailgate hardware while reusing your factory handle and the rods that run from the handle to the latches, and it goes in without welding.
Features
- Reuses the factory handle and the rods that connect it to the latches.
- No welding required.
- Mounts to existing holes, with one hole per side enlarged for a nutsert.
- Brackets come in raw steel so you can paint match them to your truck.
Kit includes
- 2x latches
- 2x raw steel tailgate latch mounts
- 2x raw steel bed bracket and cable mounts
- 2x tailgate cables
- Templates
Additional mounting hardware is included. Factory latch hardware is still required.
Not included
- The factory handle and the rods that run from it down to the latches. Both are reused.
- The factory latch hardware, also reused.
- Paint - the brackets come in raw steel so you can match them to the truck.
- A drill. No welding is needed, but one hole per side is enlarged for a nutsert.
Truck compatibility and specs
Fits these trucks
1976–1987
Not sure this is the right part for your truck? Send us your year, make and model and we will confirm the fit before you order. Not sure what year your truck is? Decode its VIN.
Specifications
- Part number
- AP7787TLK
- Material
- Raw Steel
- Brand
- Tre5
- Interior / Exterior
- Exterior
- Weight
- 2.3 kg
Fits alongside
Most often bought with this part:
Installation
No welding. Cutting is limited to removing one tab per side, which the new latch mounting plate then covers. Every mounting hole is an existing hole except one per side, which gets drilled out to take the nutsert supplied with the kit.
Take your time cutting that tab in the tailgate jamb area and the factory paint comes through untouched. It is a fairly easy install that most anyone can handle.
Reviews
Customer reviews
What owners are saying
3
Tailgate Latch Kit - 76-87 Squarebody GMC/Chevy Truck
Common questions
Is trimming or drilling needed?
On the latch kits, yes. Expect to trim the tailgate itself, drill one hole in the tailgate jamb for the supplied rivnut and one in the bedside jamb for the striker mount. Templates are included in the kit and the installation template is also published as a PDF on the product page.
Do I reuse any factory hardware?
On the latch kits the factory latch hardware is still required alongside the additional hardware supplied. Everything else - latches, latch mounts, bed bracket and cable mounts, cables - is in the kit.
Will this fix a gate that will not close square?
A worn latch mechanism is the usual cause and the kit replaces it, but a sagging gate is normally the trunnions or hinges rather than the latch. If the gate drops at one end when it is closed, start with the trunnion and hinge kit for your year.
How do I know it fits my truck?
This part is listed for 1976–1987 Chevy and GMC C10, C20, C30, Sierra and Silverado. The full year, make and model list is in the Truck Compatibility tab on this page. If your truck has been modified, or you are between two of the year ranges we list, send us the year, make and model and we will confirm the fit before you order rather than after.
How long before it ships?
It is a stock item and leaves our warehouse in 1-3 business days. Transit after that is typically 2-5 business days in the United States. Larger orders can arrive in more than one box on different days.
What if it is not right for the truck?
You have 30 days from delivery to return it by mail. Return shipping is on you, and the part needs to come back uninstalled and unmodified - once a panel has been trimmed or welded it cannot go back. Made-to-order items are final sale. The full terms are on our returns page.
Still not sure? Contact us before you order.
Everything I’ve purchased for my square body has been perfect fit and finish and installs as advertised.
Just a great upgrade for all trucks!! (I think there are 2 versions, so double chk which you need…I hope I ordered the correct on…depends on what yr your tailgate is from..I bought mines separately)
Suprime