For once I have a simple question! Did 5th gens ever have rubber stripping for the tailgate and if so, where does it go? :-D

Yes they did have weather seals arround the tail gate. At least my 83 has them, one goes on each side of the bed (vertically) where it closes and I can't remember for sure but I believe that there is one allong the botom edge of the tail gate, although I couldn't say for sure (mines been in winter storage for a wile now). I hope that helps

TyBo is correct, The two verticals and one across the bottom of the bed.
You should be able to see the small holes in the bed if the weren't filled and painted over.
You can buy the verticals from Honest Charley's about 6 bucks. I don't think they have the bottom one,I bought the bottom from Lone Star weather stripping around 30 bucks.

Cool, thanks for the answers guys :cool:

I removed the bottom one from my truck. Helps the water drain from the bed and does not create a rattle either.

Good point! And that's less work for me too!

I used a 5/8s hose & split it down the side. I sliped it over the edge of the tailgate. It worked great.

The verticals look like this:

http://www.elcaminocentral.com/ebayimages/seals/strip2.jpg

and this:

http://www.elcaminocentral.com/ebayimages/seals/strip1.jpg

I also sell these too, helps maintain elcaminocentral.com

And I too remove the horizontal seal so the bed will drain. The verticals keep the tailgate from rattling.

I really wish I knew you sold those!! They look better than the ones I got from OPGI, softer and most likely cheaper too! But none the less, I put them on and it stopped that rattle. I'll try to return the lower one. I didn't know they just slipped over the metal, that's great. Thanks guys!

Should these tailgate seals be put in with an adhesive of some type?

I'm not sure, but the ones I got from OPGI fit nice and snug so I didn't use any.

Hey Glassman....The side seals do not require any adhesive. They have "metal teeth" molded into the rubber that grips the sheetmetal once they are pressed on.

Robert, like Supercharged86, I did not realize you sold products for our trucks. Like him, I would buy from you before any other vendor. And yes, I would even pay more. Are your products listed on the site anywhere?

The bottom horizontal tailgate seal keeps dust from being drawn into the bed by negative pressure; you know the General wouldn't have spent the money for a part that they didn't consider important.

I don't consider that important. :P The whole bed is open to the dust in the air anyway.

If you have a bed cover it is.

I KNEW you were gonna say that! I was hoping you wouldn't so I'd have a better point, but there it goes! Darn it!

Hey Supercharged you have to agree with me that the weatherstrip (gasket, seal, plastic barrier?) must serve some purpose. I was in the auto industry for many years and I can assure you that no auto manufacturer, especially General Motors, wouldn't spend an additional $.05 on a part if it was not absolutely necessary.

Without a bed cover, I just don't think it's necessary. And the bed drains water faster too. With that thought, I just changed my mind. If you're hauling mulch or sand, you'd need the strpping to prevent it all from falling out the back. That's all I can think of.

Mulch or sand?, what about cow manure?

I don't think I'd go the extra mile to keep monure IN my car :lol: :P