Finally got my recall on the galvanized tailgate support straps. They want to replace them with the stainless cables.


I would like to get the stainless steel flat straps that someone here was making a few months ago but cant find them now for some reason. (maybe it was the other forum?)


Included in the letter was a "Reimbursement Procedure" for if you have already had them replaced. I would like to purchase the "Stainless Straps" and send them the bill as reimbursement........hopefullyhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley3.gif, maybe???


Has anyone done this??

<span style="font-weight: bold;">Victory Red </span>was the one who selling them a while back.

http://www.vrstraps.com

just a warning, i like the cables better. i had the folding straps like that on my 89 and when they got worn, they would try to bow out when you closed the tailgate and i had gouges on both sides under the taillights from them hitting when i tried to close the gate (if that makes sense at all).


just curious - why would you want to change to those? i had the truck in yesterday for the intermediate steering shaft replacement and they did the tailgate straps recall while it was there since they noticed it was covered in the recall.

just curious - why would you want to change to those?


Because I dont trust the cables. I have had several sets break on my on my '96 3500, and my '98 Z71.


Fortunately, no one has been hurt or nothing damaged but I dont want to take the chance again.


These were actually designed by one of the forum guys and several here in the forum have them.

... i had the folding straps like that on my 89 and when they got worn, they would try to bow out when you closed the tailgate and i had gouges on both sides under the taillights from them hitting when i tried to close the gate...


This wont happen Rick's VRStraps (http:\\www.vrstraps.com).. They are made from high quality Stainless Steel.


http://dsdd.com/vrstrap/Images/straps4.gifhttp://dsdd.com/vrstrap/Images/Strappice1.jpg


The Tailgate will fold in half before VR Straps bend. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley4.gif

If only the rest of the things on the truck were as strong as worked as well as VR Straps and Bilsteins. IMHO, those of two of the best products out for the trucks.

Not along the same line, but i to got a letter in the mail the other telling me about the straps. But when i went to talk to the previous owner about a couple things i brought up the straps and he told me he already had them replaced. So is a recall to the recall or what?

I have Rick's VR Straps. Was one of the first to buy them from him. He made a quality, well thought-out part.
They beat the crap out of the cables any day, all day. Since the cables bend and flex every time you open/close the tailgate, you're slowly, surely breaking the wire in the cables, no matter if its galvanized or stainless steel. Another example of GM being cheap.


Did you ever hear of tailgate failures before 1988 (or whenever it was that GM switched to cables from straps)? Nope.


Tom http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley30.gif

I have the VR's as well. They are a good product. The cable will be bent over 90% of it's life. This "bend" will cause deformation of the cable over time... And, when the gate is dropped only part of the cable holds the load. Fatigue, plain and simple, gets the stainless steel cables. The VR's have a hinge point that should last a very very long time. The VR's will have some movement while the bed is closed. I placed little clear tabs, like what you would see on heavy table glass, on the inside of the bed and the inside of the strap. With the tabs, mine are quiet. I also like the fact that heavy objects don't peel rubber coating off or nick wire, that can get you later, when drug accross. The VR's will just get a little nick while the cable will need replacement under working conditions.


VR's are the way to go!


And Rick is a top notch fella. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley4.gif





Burner----------------&gt; http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley4.gifEdited by: Burner

Well how can I get them. How about another group buy. I am tired of GM and the wait.

I got my recall notice a couple of weeks ago, too. Didn't need it as I have also been one of the first VR Strap customers. They are a quality product well engineered and supplied by a great guy and active forum member. They are very reasonably priced for the amount of security and usefullness they provide. You don't need a group purchase price, just order them before you, your loved ones or your truck gets hurt by the sudden and unexpected failure of the poorly designed OEM cables!http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley18.gif

My 01 had the affected cables, which broke suddenly before I got the recall notice.


I took the truck in yesterday to the dealer. He put the new cables on. Today, I looked at it--the cables are different lengths! I took it back and they swapped the short one for another--same problem! So now my tailgate is not level with the bed of the truck--it tilts up slightly. And, now all the weight of the gate, plus whatever is on the gate, rests on one cable, which I would think would be a bigger problem. And, if I put something really heavy on the tailgate I'm worried about the tailgate itself flexing, bending.


The dealer guys all shrugged their shoulders. We walked over to a new Avalanche and looked at it's cables. They were both taught.


Should I press the issue with the dealer?


Rip

The VR straps are 10 times anything GM can every build. Those who doubt them have never used them..

I just ordered the VR straps a couple days ago. Can hardly wait!


D

Just installed my VR straps......top of the line!http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley4.gif

... i had the folding straps like that on my 89 and when they got worn, they would try to bow out when you closed the tailgate and i had gouges on both sides under the taillights from them hitting when i tried to close the gate...


This wont happen Rick's VRStraps (http:\\www.vrstraps.com).. They are made from high quality Stainless Steel.


The Tailgate will fold in half before VR Straps bend. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley4.gif





i believe you misunderstood what i meant. my straps never bent either. see pic below...


http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/uploads/haneym/2004-10-29_132443_Strappice1.jpg


as you fold the tailgate up, the straps fold down. the part i circled will end up traveling like the arrow and fold in near the bottom of the taillight. the straps cant be tightened too much or else they wouldnt fold in with the tailgate, so there is a little bit of lateral movement. when i would fold the tailgate, the joint of the straps would catch and take a knick out of the truck right at the bottom of my arrow. it wouldnt do it every time, but once in a while. after a while, there was a noticable notch at that spot. all i am saying is be careful when you close your tailgate if you put these on.


i never questioned the strength of this particular product and have never seen them in person, i was simply pointing out something to look out for. also - yall have only had your trucks a couple years so you dont know yet how they will wear over time. just something to think about...Edited by: haneym

Haneym,


Sorry, I did misunderstand your post...http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley9.gif... Thanks for clarifying your point! http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley1.gif


It is possible for the VR straps to slightly "wear" the paint. I added some Trimbrite paint protection film (http://community.webshots.com/photo/63497470/121921990TVZxtm) (more pics 1 (http://community.webshots.com/album/63497470OVEkww) .. pics 2) (http://community.webshots.com/album/63497470OVEkww/1) in the same spots you indicated to prevent this.


http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley23.gif

While it's true it's hard to tell how these will work after a few years down these are not made like the bars of old. The old styles used to use a hollow rivot to hold the two pieces together, the set I designed use a solid pin for the hinge.


The binding that the old style had was caused by a few different things wear, dirt and corrosion. Since the pin can be removed by the end user using nothing more than a flat blade screwdriver and a rubber mallet they can cleaned(emery cloth or fine grit paper),inspected for unusual wear(no suprises with failure) serviced(graphite or other similiar lube) these should long outlive our trucks.


The problem with solid metal to solid metal, yes that does exist, but many(jpblock) and others found ways to protect their paint if that's a concern.


They are BY NO MEANS perfect, just another choice for those who choose them.


I do however enjoy the comparision to the Bilsteins which IMHO are one of the best aftermarket products we can addhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley32.gif

Victory Red,


KUDOS to you! http://dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley32.gif I got those VR Straps in record time! They came in the mail on Saturday and took me about 5 mins to install.


Man, these are the shiznit!!!! http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/hihi.gif Thanks a million!!!


Seems more like a real truck with these straps vs cables!


TO anyone else out there that doesn't have these....yes, they are kinda pricey, but they are extremely well made and look real good. Fit and finish are excellent. Those who have these will toute that they are well worth the money. They really are.


Thanks again, Victory Red for a great product!!!!


Doug

I have been using these straps all spring and summer and they are top
quality. They haven't scratched my truck. People always ask were I
bought them.

Tailgates don't look nice after the straps break and your Snowmobile is
hanging by the tie-down straps.

They look like they are cut with a CAD controlled Laser-cutter. Well worth
the money.