Top Of Tailgate Removal

[unit731]

The top of the tailgate. The black plastic part.

 

It's friggin' glued on !

 

Of course, if you live in a warm climate, the glue may not have stuck too much and an easy off.

 

But up here in cold country, the glue sticks good.

 

Yes, I took all the screws out first. Then it just would not budge. Very gentle plying, it did eventually come off without any damage to anything. Yes, I was inside a somewhat heated garage.

 

Just a tidbit of information.

[dsmazz]

Heat gun or blow dryer helps quite a bit too. Just have to be careful with a heat gun to avoid burning the paint.

[Rocco715]

Are you putting a tonneau cover on? thats the only reason I would take that piece off becuase the top of the tail gate is full of cuts and holes. Not just the 4 screw holes.

[Zembonez]

Are you putting a tonneau cover on? thats the only reason I would take that piece off becuase the top of the tail gate is full of cuts and holes. Not just the 4 screw holes.

I think he is going with the lower profile tailgate cap instead of that awful "spoiler".

[3n8fan]

Are you putting a tonneau cover on? thats the only reason I would take that piece off becuase the top of the tail gate is full of cuts and holes. Not just the 4 screw holes.

I think he is going with the lower profile tailgate cap instead of that awful "spoiler".

 

 

I put an ARE tonneau cover on and had to remove the spoiler cap and put on the slim one but now the snow really covers the tailgate and tailights. Anyone else having this problem?

[Rocco715]

Are you putting a tonneau cover on? thats the only reason I would take that piece off becuase the top of the tail gate is full of cuts and holes. Not just the 4 screw holes.

I think he is going with the lower profile tailgate cap instead of that awful "spoiler".

 

 

I put an ARE tonneau cover on and had to remove the spoiler cap and put on the slim one but now the snow really covers the tailgate and tailights. Anyone else having this problem?

 

 

I've got a tonneau on my other truck and notice the whole rear end does get covered in snow. as for my NBS I put a covermaster Fibreglass hard tonneau on and have yet to let it see snow.

[NathanL]

The new tailgate is a joke, an outright joke. You pull off that cheap and cheezy tailgate protector from the factory and there's no metal under it. The plastic tailgate protector IS the top of the tailgate and a structural piece I guess...I was really disappointed when I ripped mine off. It's so soft if you actually use it for what it was designed for - to protect the tailgate while hauling stuff it shreds pretty easy. I stack 10'x10' timbers up there and in a matter of days it looked like someone took a utility knife and sliced it to pieces.

 

But I'm sure it saved 2.5 lbs which equaled 0.00005 mpg which made it worthwhile.

[sonjaab]

Just in case you guys are removing the "whaletail" for use with a cap or

tonneau cover please note that most aftermarket flat gate caps will NOT

cover the FACTORY screw holes (that would be there anyhoo) !!!!!

 

You would need to order the real GM only 2500 model replacement piece !

Reason: They are longer than the aftermarket caps and will cover the screw

hole FYI....................geo

[unit731]

Are you putting a tonneau cover on? thats the only reason I would take that piece off becuase the top of the tail gate is full of cuts and holes. Not just the 4 screw holes.

 

 

A.R.E MX Series cap. Color matched.

 

At the time of ordering, I could not find another manufacturer of caps similiar to the ARE MX. Got a coupon for free front tilt/sliding front window - and optional tilt side sliding windows. All the other manufacturers of mid-high caps stated that the "molds" were still in design state and not available till next year (2008) with no specific date given. A.R.E caps are more expensive than others looked at.

 

 

MX Series Truck Caps The MX Series sets the standard on versatility. The mid-high roofline offers the extra headroom for your active lifestyle. The popular "Tilt Side Windows" option is great for placing smaller items and tools thru side.

 

 

 

X = Standard Options O = Optional Equipment

Cap & Tonneau Series Z CX MX V TW LSX LSII

Tilt-Down Front Windows O O O O O

Front Picture Window X X X X X

Sliding Front Window O O O O O

Compression Front Boot O O O O O

Dark Tint Side Windows X X X X X

Front Skylights X

Radius 1/2 Side Sliders O X X X X

Screen-Vent Side Windows X O O

Single Bay Windows O

Side Access Win-Doors O O O O

Side Privacy Doors O O O O

Ventilated Privacy Doors O O O O

Rear Privacy Door O O O

Double T-Lock Rear Door O O O O

All Glass Rear Door X

Heavy Duty Rear Door X X X X

Dome Light - Battery Operated O O O O O O

12-Volt Dome Light X X X X X O

Sport Wing with Brake Light O O

Sport Wing O O

Full Fiberglass Walk-In Door O O

Carpet Interior X O X O O X X

Remote Keyless Entry O O O

Interior Clothes Rod O O O O O O O

Yakima Control Tower Racks O O O O O

Cap & Tonneau Series Z CX MX V TW LSX LSII

X = Standard Options O = Optional Equipment

[chitownpete]

I switched out the tailgate cap to install an Undercover brand lid and had no problems whatsoever. The GM cap fit perfect and easy, couldnt be happier with the tailgate cap or the Undercover lid. If anyone needs a oem spoiler/talgate cap let me know, its just sitting in my basement.

[pm26]

The new tailgate is a joke, an outright joke. You pull off that cheap and cheezy tailgate protector from the factory and there's no metal under it. The plastic tailgate protector IS the top of the tailgate and a structural piece I guess...I was really disappointed when I ripped mine off. It's so soft if you actually use it for what it was designed for - to protect the tailgate while hauling stuff it shreds pretty easy. I stack 10'x10' timbers up there and in a matter of days it looked like someone took a utility knife and sliced it to pieces.

 

But I'm sure it saved 2.5 lbs which equaled 0.00005 mpg which made it worthwhile.

 

I have not taken the factory tailgate protector off my '06 yet, but I am curious - if the tailgate as flimsy on top as in the NBC '07 and up trucks?