'05 Silverado - Access To "tailgate Guts"?

Kenny782 · January 1, 2009

I have an '05 silverado 1500 extended cab short bed.

I'm thinking of adding a door popper to the tailgate.

Problem is how can I access the inside of the tailgate?

I thought most had a few built-in access panels on the inside.

But I can't see anyway to crack it open.

I do have a line-x painted on.

So either it doesn't have any panels or I'm wondering if maybe they painted over the panels and access screws.

Thanks,

Kenny

mipsco1 · January 1, 2009

On my 04 there are no access panels like my ford had. All you can take off to get inside is the 3 bolts holding the handle on.

97SierraGMC · January 1, 2009

if you have a "spoiler" tailgate bed cap you can take that off... there are holes there you could maybe use...

you just take out the 4 screws then rip it off.. its only held on by 3m tape after you take the screws out. i take these off on a daily basis.

the holes on a GMT-900 are HUGE you could stick your hand in there lol.. and theres about 6 of them.

Kenny782 · January 2, 2009

No screws in mine they just stuck it on with some tape.

But even if I can get to it from the top it doesn't sound like I'll be able to do it.

I'd need to mount some actuators and hook up to both the rods. Not to easy in tight quarter like that. I'd love to know how they expected to be able to fix it lol

If I get bored though maybe I'll pull it off and take a look.

Thanks for the replies guys

Kenny

jdawg1234 · January 2, 2009

I was thinking of doing the same to mine at some point.

I have shaved door handles and tailgate handle and i have poppers on the door why not the tailgate right?

This is the kit i looked at

http://www.stylintrucks.com/parts.aspx?cat...rtfamilyid=2251

Kinda pricey if i compare it to what i spent to make my doors pop and i was never quite sure what they meant when they said "Just hit the button and your tailgate will pop open for you" Kinda sounds like your tailgate would just drop, not really interested in that lol.

jrrod2004 · January 2, 2009

I was thinking of doing the same to mine at some point.
I have shaved door handles and tailgate handle and i have poppers on the door why not the tailgate right?

This is the kit i looked at

http://www.stylintrucks.com/parts.aspx?cat...rtfamilyid=2251

Kinda pricey if i compare it to what i spent to make my doors pop and i was never quite sure what they meant when they said "Just hit the button and your tailgate will pop open for you" Kinda sounds like your tailgate would just drop, not really interested in that lol.

you would want to install this:

http://www.realtruck.com/dee_zee_ez_down_t...41480P1C1T.html

mipsco1 · January 2, 2009

I think you will have the 3 bolts in the back. I cant see them taping it on because theres no way you would not rip the handle off opening it.

Kenny782 · January 6, 2009

Yeah I've already got the ez-down, love it

Thanks for the link, that kit is basically what I would be using except I don't need the electronic portion. I'm just gonna wire it into my existing alarm.

I was thinking of doing the same to mine at some point.
I have shaved door handles and tailgate handle and i have poppers on the door why not the tailgate right?

This is the kit i looked at

http://www.stylintrucks.com/parts.aspx?cat...rtfamilyid=2251

Kinda pricey if i compare it to what i spent to make my doors pop and i was never quite sure what they meant when they said "Just hit the button and your tailgate will pop open for you" Kinda sounds like your tailgate would just drop, not really interested in that lol.