1988-1991 Chevy Truck — Metal Strap Style
The early GMT400 trucks hung the tailgate on metal straps, and those straps rust, stretch and rattle. Our cable kit for 1988-91 trucks replaces them with a bolt-on cable and a new shoulder bolt on each side. Nothing is drilled, so the job takes well under an hour. First, gather the tools below. Then work one side at a time.
Tools you will need
- Sockets and wrenches for the striker plate bolts
- Grinder or cut-off wheel for the factory rivet
- Blue thread locker
- A second pair of hands to hold the tailgate
OBS tailgate cables install steps
- First, open the tailgate and remove the metal strap.
- Remove the striker plate. Take out the bolts from the tailgate striker plate and grind off the factory rivet.
- Install the new cable. Fit the new cable with a new shoulder bolt, using blue thread locker.
- Repeat on the other side.
- Reinstall the striker plate into the tailgate.
- Attach the cable. Connect the slotted end of the cable onto the factory pin (box panel side).
- Finally, check the gate sits level. Close it, open it slowly, and confirm both cables go tight at the same time.
Early OBS trucks used metal straps and later ones used cables, so check which you have. If the gate already hangs on cables, you only need replacements when a cable frays or the end fittings wear through. Cables are usually the first part of a tailgate rebuild, and the 1988-98 tailgate saver guide covers the strut that goes in next. Also, while the gate is open, look at the hinge pins and the striker plates, because worn pins let the gate sag and put extra load on the OBS tailgate cables. The Gate Saver strut and the rest of our billet hardware for these trucks are in the 88-98 OBS truck parts collection.
For any questions or concerns with your install, don’t hesitate to email us at info@lsfab.com
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