Split Tailgate Latch

[oilcan]

Hi all - have a 712M with a split tailgate/ barndoor tailgate. Part of the latching mechanism is a vertical pole that slides up and down when closing the door. I feel like there should be a receiver for the pole in the bed of the truck, but see no evidence, and i can't find any mention on this forum or my owners manual.

Anyone have these gates? pictures to follow... appreciate the help

[pcolette]

Maybe this diagram will help? : http://www.pinzgauer.com/parts.php?cat= ... view=28-26

I've never seen the barn doors in person but have always been intrigued by them.

[oilcan]

Thanks - realized i commmited a major faux pas - this was my first post and i didn't share anything to make it worth everyone's while!


the truck is a 1976 712M - its my first pinz, i've wanted one for about 10 years now. It's overall in really good condition (i think) and i have spent the last few weekends eagerly crawling all over it and taking it apart in more and more depth.

The ODO shows about 5,000K, which is since rebuild.

currently i'm doing what needs to be done to make it start and run safely for me and the truck, after that i will make it more fun.

First things first, i'm going to install a new muffler (old one is really shot) and rebuild the carbs. I've changed the oil in the engine and the portals.

The tailgate is currently kept snug with a bungie cord, though its really just to keep it from rattling. I know the folks at SDP built the door to stay closed better than it is, which is why i know im missing something.


after the mechanical bits... more cleaning, treating and preventing the spot rust (primarily in the bed), and maybe... paint?

[David Dunn]

Your truck may have been a conventional 712M ( with a single door)and the doors retrofitted from a Rapier truck and the the bottom strike hole not drilled. The Rapier doors would have been noisier and rattled more.
Look for holes drilled on the inside of your bed area for telltale signs of missile racks.

[CentAr712]

Those are the Rapier doors; I have the same. They actually latch into a lip on the missile storage racks that were originally installed in the rear of the truck. You will have to make a simple latch and attach it to the bed of the truck to have the doors secure properly. I made one in about 15 minutes from a piece of 1" A36 steel angle. I'll try to attach a photo and maybe an image of my original CAD drawing for mine.

If I recall, I secured mine with strong steel Marson brand rivets I got from Fastenall.

[CentAr712]

Actually, the Rapier doors were never installed by SDP, they were retrofitted later by another Swiss company; all Rapier trucks started life as a 712 M. There actually never was a strike hole, or any other holes drilled in the truck to mount the missile racks. All the racks were mounted using the existing seat mounting holes. My truck came straight from Switzerland and I was the first civilian owner, so it still had the racks installed when I got it. Mine is also a 1976. I think the doors themselves were actually made by a company called Hesso, if I recall correctly.

Too bad you didn't get the missile racks, you got cheated out of a nice six pack jerry-can rack that also came installed in the rear.

[CentAr712]

With a latch striker installed, there should be no rattling whatsoever; my doors latch up snug and tight with no issues whatsoever. I actually prefer them and they are great for loading and unloading camping gear from the bed, the only issue is that you need to find an accessible place to keep your spare tire. I keep mine in the rear, in the well, near the doors, but I built a deck that bridges the well so I can store camping gear on top, while still able to easily pull out my spare in case of a flat.

[oilcan]

Nice, thanks for all the great feedback and ideas. That's a great looking strike plate you made there centar712.

No missile racks for me unfortunately... I guess I'll make a strike.

You're right, I do recall seeing 'hesso' on the doors.
The latch on the door looks to be of a slightly different build / vintage than the one on SAV diagram, like the rest of the truck it's over engineered to excess.

[stiffler4444]

Nice looking 712, appears to be in great shape. Have fun!

[McCall Pinz]

Perfect write-up... my buddy needs to do the exact same thing.