Tailgate issue

[gaman1966]

One side of my tailgate closes before the other. The original tailgate had a bow in it. I bought a new one and still had the same problem. I put new hinges in and I still have the the same issue. Is there a way to adjust the tailgate? From what I can see there is not. Any help would be great.

 

[HotWheelsBurban]

One side of my tailgate closes before the other. The original tailgate had a bow in it. I bought a new one and still had the same problem. I put new hinges in and I still have the the same issue. Is there a way to adjust the tailgate? From what I can see there is not. Any help would be great.

Perhaps the bed is a little bit out of square? Sometimes I have trouble closing the tailgate on my truck (though it is a cheap freeflow tailgate, that was on the truck when I bought it).

 

[GoToGuy]

Is the area of bed floor ,square, flat , and plumb and checked the " X " deminsions ? If one side of the bed is pushed forward, like rear end collision the bed will be out of square. Meaning one latch will engage before the other.

 

[HotWheelsBurban]

If the truck is not on flat level ground, that will also affect the tailgate/bed relationship. Can also make the doors not open or close properly.... happens often with my Crew Cab longbed.

 

[Jeepwalker]

How far off are we talking? 1/4" , 1/2" ..or 1" at the top? Lay the tailgate on the concrete and verify it's good or if the new tailgate is 'tweaked' (warped).

If your new tailgate is 'true' or you want to use it anyway, no reason you couldn't do a little opening of the bottom hinge holes ....on the appropriate side, using a die grinder. With them slotted it would allow you to move one hinge 'out' so the top will go in. Of course the bottom of the tailgate might protrude a little bit, but down low it will not be visible to most onlookers (than the top). If your tailgate hinge on the body-side has a peg, just cut the peg and re-weld it back to the new location it needs to be (for strength) ...even if the peg is off-center.

If your tailgate is 'true' it's possible your your truck box was pushed in at the top or bottom from an accident, or a box side replaced with new at one time due to a collision ..and is a little off.

But if you have access to some tools or a buddy's tools and a welder, should be able to compensate if it's not grossly off. Good luck!

 

[Jeepwalker]

If the tailgate *isn't* true...and you want to straighten it up or tweak it the other way so it fits perfect, you can get creative and tweak it the other way 'straight' again. Or tweak it whatever way you need ...so it fits perfect.

To do this, a guy could lay the tailgate on the concrete. Slide a block of 2x4 under the opposite side of the tailgate that sticks out. Lower a car/truck tire on the other corner (same side as the block). That will hold the tailgate down tight. You don't need all the vehicle weight on the tailgate to hold it down, just a few hundred lbs. Then press down on the high side (the side you need to bring 'in') ...press that side down with a skid steer, forklift, utility loader bucket, etc, whatever you can get your hands on. As long as it has downpressure. You could even use a bottle jack under another pickup bumper.. perhaps.

That ought to tweak the section of the tailgate that was sticking "out" ...back in ...the direction you need it to go. Use 2x4's or 2x6's appropriately and press on the corners, not in the center ...so you don't dent the tailgate obviously. I mean it's kind of a redneck way of doing it but you have to use whatever resources you have avail. I don't think you're talking about a whole bunch of weight needed because it sounds like the tailgate is pretty close.

A guy can do all kinds of fun things with equipment beyond moving dirt!

 

[gaman1966]

Thanks guys for all of the advice!!!

 

[GoToGuy]

How far off are we talking? 1/4" , 1/2" ..or 1" at the top? Lay the tailgate on the concrete and verify it's good or if the new tailgate is 'tweaked' (warped).

If your new tailgate is 'true' or you want to use it anyway, no reason you couldn't do a little opening of the bottom hinge holes ....on the appropriate side, using a die grinder. With them slotted it would allow you to move one hinge 'out' so the top will go in. Of course the bottom of the tailgate might protrude a little bit, but down low it will not be visible to most onlookers (than the top). If your tailgate hinge on the body-side has a peg, just cut the peg and re-weld it back to the new location it needs to be (for strength) ...even if the peg is off-center.

If your tailgate is 'true' it's possible your your truck box was pushed in at the top or bottom from an accident, or a box side replaced with new at one time due to a collision ..and is a little off.

But if you have access to some tools or a buddy's tools and a welder, should be able to compensate if it's not grossly off. Good luck!

What hinges are you talking about ? Where are you slotting these holes? Please show us on the tailgate. I live for new science fiction shows.
Oh, and how many members have a " skid steer " and a " forklift " to tweak ( I see a flattened tailgate ) with in their magic tool box?

 

[Jeepwalker]

The question was if the hinges can be adjusted. The answer is probably not much, as you probably already know. However, tailgate hinges as shown below, the holes could be slotted and or if that's not enough, you could get out the metal tools and cut/re-weld the circle as necessary if thats what was required. I mean the OP didn't indicate how much ..I'm assuming it's a little. The OP may know someone with a welder if he doesn't have one.

Or if the new tailgate is warped and the OP wants to attempt to straighten it, or compensate ...they could attempt to 'tweak' it. Ask around (friend/neighbor/relative/worker) ...one likely to find someone with access to a piece of equipment. Just about everybody around where I live has or knows someone who has access to a skid steer/backhoe or tractor-loader. I get some may not ...but as I suggested, a guy could try using a bottle jack under a truck bumper or some other immovable object to tweak 'down' the tailgate (where it's high).

The point was, *if* it's warped or ya want to warp a little (to fit) ...find a way using yer resources (tap into your contacts) to do what's necessary to get it to fit right. Assuming it's only a little 'off'. A guy can only tweak a little until he/she warps or damage it, or break spot welds.

W/o seeing pictures of the issue I'm just imagining and laying out a couple possible courses (you can argue all day long If/when/why/who.....). If we aren't getting it right, please try to post some pics where we can see the issue better.

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[gaman1966]

What hinges are you talking about ? Where are you slotting these holes? Please show us on the tailgate. I live for new science fiction shows.
Oh, and how many members have a " skid steer " and a " forklift " to tweak ( I see a flattened tailgate ) with in their magic tool box?

I have a new tailgate coming today. I will take pictures when it gets here.