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Tailgate Cables?

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by Tom Stephens, Mar 25, 2019.

  1. Mar 25, 2019
    Tom Stephens

    Tom Stephens New Member

    Arnold, CA
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    I see cables available for CJ7s, but I can't seem to find any threads on making up tailgate cables for a CJ5. Mine is a '62 that had the tailgate bolted shut.

    Is there a reason I should just use chains?

    Tom
     
  2. Mar 25, 2019
    Keys5a

    Keys5a Sponsor

    Florida Keys
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    Chains w/hooks are what they came with. This setup has always suited the character of the early Jeeps. Replacements are available. Keep in mind the hooks are "handed", as in right and left.
    -Donny
     
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  3. Mar 25, 2019
    Tom Stephens

    Tom Stephens New Member

    Arnold, CA
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    I've seen pointy and straight cut hooks. Which were original? And if pointy, where can they be purchased?

    Tom
     
  4. Mar 25, 2019
    TIm E

    TIm E Aggressively average

    NW Arkansas
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    Beach66Bum likes this.
  5. Mar 25, 2019
    Tom Stephens

    Tom Stephens New Member

    Arnold, CA
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    I love Walck's and buy parts from them, but need to make up my own as I won't be using the split link.

    Walck's hooks are not pointy. I've seen pointy and straight cut hooks. Which were original? And if pointy, where can they be purchased?

    Tom
     
  6. Mar 25, 2019
    Twin2

    Twin2 not him 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Virginia Beach, VA
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    I like the condition of the hook and chain walcks sells
    like donny said theirs a left and right in set .and covers of many colors
    post a ad in classified section
     
  7. Mar 25, 2019
    Keys5a

    Keys5a Sponsor

    Florida Keys
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    When you say "pointy", yes the original hooks have a slight bit more point than those pictured in Walcks listing, but theirs are substantially copied from originals, including the split link.
    Why would you not want to use the split link? If you have the original brackets on the upper body openings and on the tailgate, the ones that Walcks sell would function just like original.
    -Donny
     
  8. Mar 25, 2019
    Tom Stephens

    Tom Stephens New Member

    Arnold, CA
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    Donny,

    Now THERE's the question! Since I got my CJ5, I've wanted to eventually change the color. So I thought I'd just use a threaded quick link, so as not to damage the paint while removing the split link. Now that I am saying this out loud, my idea makes no sense. If I'm going to repaint, it won't matter if I ding the paint taking off the split link. If I'm not going to repaint, the split link will just stay attached.

    Logic does not always apply ;-)

    Thanks!

    Tom
     
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  9. Mar 25, 2019
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
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    It ain't how much they point, it's which way they point.

    The OEM hooks have a left or right skew to them, and it is functional in how they operate.
     
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  10. Mar 25, 2019
    maurywhurt

    maurywhurt Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Western North...
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    Check out these photos I took of the tailgate of a (reportedly) almost completely original CJ-3B. It was at the 2018 Southeastern Willys Get-Together in Asheville, NC in October.

    Note the "pointy" hooks:

    [​IMG]


    Driver's side:

    [​IMG]


    Passenger side:

    [​IMG]


    Now, compare those hooks with these photos of an NOS tailgate hook & chain to fit a late '60's / early '70's Kaiser M715:

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]


    Sure looks the same....after a little paint stripper, it would be a dead ringer for the passenger side hook and chain on the 3B.

    Some good news for those looking....here's a link to the NOS M715 hook & chain on eBay, and the seller (Brent Mullins Jeep Parts) apparently has a fair number of these in stock:

    Kaiser Jeep 1 1/4 ton M715 NOS Tail gate Chain and Hook | eBay

    What I don't know is whether or not the driver's and passenger side hooks were different on the M715 like they were on the CJ's - and if they were, if he has both sides.

    Alternatively, if both hooks were the same on the M715, or he only has one side, maybe one of these could just be bent to match the driver's side hook on the CJ?


    Follow up - I asked Brent Mullins about the above, and here's his response:

    "The chains/hooks are all the same. I don't know if there was a mirror image hook. We only have the one type."
     
    Last edited: Apr 11, 2019
  11. Mar 25, 2019
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    IMHO those are hooked backwards on the CJ3B.
     
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  12. Mar 25, 2019
    Keys5a

    Keys5a Sponsor

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    X2 on the 3b hooks, and the M715 had "handed" hooks too.
    -Donny
     
  13. Mar 26, 2019
    Beach66Bum

    Beach66Bum 1966 Tuxedo Park Mark IV 2024 Sponsor

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    I bought my replacements from Walck’s.
     
  14. Mar 26, 2019
    Cowboyjeeper

    Cowboyjeeper Member

    Show low az
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    If you get in a pinch you can use gm ones from lmc truck. I had them on my 3a from a Chevy stepside that was a engine fire victim.
     
  15. Mar 26, 2019
    Rick Whitson

    Rick Whitson Detroit Area 2024 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    I live South of...
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    Welcome from Michigan Tom, I bolted my tailgate closed on my Jeep, I could see no reason to open it, as anything I carry, I can put in over the tailgate. When I first got my Jeep I would open the tailgate so the dogs could jump in the back, now my dog jumps in the front seat, so I don't open my tailgate. I don't want to scratch it up opening and closing it, some Jeeps didn't have opening tailgates. I did consider putting pick up cables on the inside of the tailgate, but decided to just bolt it closed.[​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Mar 26, 2019
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  16. Mar 26, 2019
    70cj5134f

    70cj5134f Member

    East Tn
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    Bolting(Or welding as I did)adds ridgiddity to the tub! Figured I'd never need to open it, but it could be ground back out if ever needed.
     
  17. Mar 26, 2019
    maurywhurt

    maurywhurt Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    Just out of curiosity, are these hooks on the right way?:

    [​IMG]
     
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  18. Mar 26, 2019
    Boyink

    Boyink Super Moderator Staff Member

    Tulsa, OK
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    Thats how I did mine.
     
  19. Mar 26, 2019
    matt johnson

    matt johnson Caretaker of family Jeeps

    chesapeake, va
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    Looks like my stock '71.
     
  20. Mar 26, 2019
    Keys5a

    Keys5a Sponsor

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    Thats a very nice looking Tux! Yes, that looks correct on the hooks.
    -Donny
     
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