What tailgate hooks for 39 truck?

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Being that the bed sides and tailgate are taller on the tonners, I'd guess you'd need another link. The rest looks totally correct, right down to the big gap where they had to cut it off the eyes on the pockets. Easily welded up. I could count links or measure tomorrow. Mine's a 47, but they are exact same other than width.
 
The hooks were cut from the chains I have so I assume they cut a link to get the hook. Knowing how many links there should be would help. I see vendors online with hooks but the eye is closed. If I was to buy that hook how do I get it onto the chains?
 
Can you post a picture of what you have? The top link with the offset cross bar is made into the eye permanently, the lower hook is just rolled around the last link. I will get some pics up within the hour. We are experiencing perhaps 3" of rain today so I'll have to suit up.
 
The hooks were cut from the chains I have so I assume they cut a link to get the hook. Knowing how many links there should be would help. I see vendors online with hooks but the eye is closed. If I was to buy that hook how do I get it onto the chains?

I can measure mine when I get home.
 
Actual hook by itself measures 3 5/8" length. Without measuring, I'd say 5/16" stock. Overall length of complete assembly 29 5/8".
 

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As far as I know the hooks should have closed eyes. My 36,40 and 41 all had original chains, hooks and latch links. I have cut open and rewelded the end links in a lot cains over the years for guys wanting to retain the correct ends. Tim
 
I didn't even look at the right side ... It could have a closed end. My tonner had a hardscrabble existence. Was owned by a couple of bachelor brothers that 'made do' as a lifestyle. Let's see what our duck hunter comes up with.
 
So obviously where mind attach to the bed arrest original. The hook looks like it may be but the chain has likely been replaced at some point. Length of the chain is 22.5" that attaches to 1.75" quick link. Dang you guys, now you got me wanting to find the original style attachment
 

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In the picture on the right I see you poked the hook through from the top. They tend to pop out when hitting a pot hole, specially on stiffly sprung. empty tonners. In my 30s, an old guy at a jobsite taught me that if you introduce the hook up from the bottom they stay put. So now I get to be the old guy. I bet some of the repro pickup box guys sell the correct parts, but most stuff is sold for 1/2 tons, I have a half ton too so will check length of chain tomorrow. My guess is you would buy the 1/2 ton set and use longer chain or add a link or two. Bear with us, we'll have this figured out tomorrow. I do have a pic I took of my 1/2 ton yesterday. Not a close up but when I expand it you can see the top link with the crossbar. This top link is a very ingenious design. It snaps around the offset eye on the tailgate before the hook is inserted. The long top link, when both sides are latched ensures that even with extreme pressure from heavy grain or sand load, the bed sides cannot spread outwards. The hook carries none of this outward force, it just keeps that top link in place.
 

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So obviously where mind attach to the bed arrest original. The hook looks like it may be but the chain has likely been replaced at some point. Length of the chain is 22.5" that attaches to 1.75" quick link. Dang you guys, now you got me wanting to find the original style attachment
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In the picture on the right I see you poked the hook through from the top. They tend to pop out when hitting a pot hole, specially on stiffly sprung. empty tonners. In my 30s, an old guy at a jobsite taught me that if you introduce the hook up from the bottom they stay put. So now I get to be the old guy. I bet some of the repro pickup box guys sell the correct parts, but most stuff is sold for 1/2 tons, I have a half ton too so will check length of chain tomorrow. My guess is you would buy the 1/2 ton set and use longer chain or add a link or two. Bear with us, we'll have this figured out tomorrow. I do have a pic I took of my 1/2 ton yesterday. Not a close up but when I expand it you can see the top link with the crossbar. This top link is a very ingenious design. It snaps around the offset eye on the tailgate before the hook is inserted. The long top link, when both sides are latched ensures that even with extreme pressure from heavy grain or sand load, the bed sides cannot spread outwards. The hook carries none of this outward force, it just keeps that top link in place.
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Dammit, you guys are getting me anxious again about getting an old truck. My Yota serves me well but it ain't me.
 
I ordered some 5/16 hooks. I have the original top links and some chain still attached but I think I will need a link or two. So now I need to find some chain
 
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