DropGate Changes

Interesting note about gates-
You will notice a half moon cutout where the bolts come thru on *all* year side gates ( SC/DC *rear* gates did not have a half moon) The reason for this cutout is to make clearance for the nut for the rubber bumpers that attach to the gate on the outside. Well on some side gates (especially early 60's double cabs) you may find that there is a half moon cutout in the middle of the side gates for no reason and some original trucks have been known to have one gate with it, and one without it . It appears that in some cases VW used the leftover earlier 52-54 inner gate rib material to complete gates from 55 to early 60's. So you may see a moon cutout like this in the middle of the inner side your side gates. The pic below is taken in the center of a side gate, from the inside, right below the upper strengthener.

How's that for being anal retentive =)

Single cab		Double cab
1952 only - gates use 6mm bolts for the latch brackets. Side gates have a rubber stop in the middle as well as the one at each end. Gates had smooth side 'panels' or 'skins'.		BINZ only gates (pre 60). Front half of a SC gate was cut off to use on the 'custom' double cab made by Binz. (note the smaller front rectangle)
1953 only - gates still the same except for the latch brackets which now use 8mm bolts throughout all years		1959-> mid1960 After VW took over production of the Double cab, they made their own custom gates for it which were just Single cab gates with the center section cut out. (note the smaller middle rectangle)
1954 only -To be technical, there is such a thing as 54 only side gates. In 54 they decided to strengthen the side skins and add rectangle pressings in them which they continued throughout the years - *but* -  They continued having  a hole drilled for the rubber bumpers on the side gates in the middle which was dropped the next year. Besides the middle bumper hole, the gates are identical to the rest of the years. The only way you could tell if it wasn't just a 55-66 with a hole drilled, is the inner skin strengthener has a half moon cutout in it where the bolt comes thru.		approx mid 1960->1966.VW finally got around to making gates specifically for the DC.  Had even rectangles.
1955-1966 same as previous except middle rubber stop was removed.		1967-Small strengthening indents added near all hinge areas.
1967- Small strengthening indents added near all hinge areas.		1968- holes added to rear gate so you could see the taillights and drive with the gate folded down. Holes had a sort of flare that flared towards the inside of the gate. I only added this so noone would buy a later rear gate on accident even though it does fit. Side gates also lengthened by approx 4 inches to match the new longer bed
1968- holes added to rear gate so you could see the taillights and drive with the gate folded down. Holes had a sort of flare that flared towards the inside of the gate. I only added this so noone would buy a later rear gate on accident even though it does fit. Side gates lengthened by about 4 inches to match the new longer bed.

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