Gap in tailgate?
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New User
Joined: Nov 2010
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Gap in tailgate?
Wasn't sure if it was normal or not, so i figured i'd ask.
My '79 has an 8 foot bed, And when I drop the tailgate, The sides of the bed lean outward about 2 inches on either side. Then when I go to close it, I have to push the side back up to get it shut.
Normal?
Or what would you recommend doing to make it a bit stronger?
My '79 has an 8 foot bed, And when I drop the tailgate, The sides of the bed lean outward about 2 inches on either side. Then when I go to close it, I have to push the side back up to get it shut.
Normal?
Or what would you recommend doing to make it a bit stronger?
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 8,786
Likes: 28
From: Northern California
Sounds like the rear taillamp support structure is broken loose from the bottom of the bed where it connects to the bed floor or it flexes and is weak. Pictures of whats going on may help.
Leaving the tailgate down or off all the time can make the rear bed sides and supports spread apart. The tailgate helps hold the sides together.
Leaving the tailgate down or off all the time can make the rear bed sides and supports spread apart. The tailgate helps hold the sides together.
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 602
Likes: 1
From: Maryland
I have seen that same problem in another one of these trucks before. It wasent too bad for the one i saw though, the bed sides would just "lean outwards" if the tailgate was down and you put any weight against the inside of the bed sides or lean on it or something.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 13,145
Likes: 348
From: THIS IS SPARTA!, ...Mo.
Yeah, your bed sides are fatigued. Two 3" triangle kickers, or gussets welded in at the bottom will help stiffen everything up so that doesn't happen. FIX IT! Before something really bad happens.
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver Island
^^^this^^^it is normal for old trucks that get used as trucks to need some help, my box is so bad that when you open the tailgate it falls off, and another time didnt close right and dragged it a couple miles down the gravel road goin "what is that noise".
Just use a ratchet strap in the stake holes to line it back up straight and weld some small triangles in the corners as well as any fractures in the sheetmetal around that area. .02
Just use a ratchet strap in the stake holes to line it back up straight and weld some small triangles in the corners as well as any fractures in the sheetmetal around that area. .02
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 8,786
Likes: 28
From: Northern California
I wouldn't call it normal. Would call it a comon problem in some situations, in rusty states, trucks without tailgates or with them down all the time etc.. etc...
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Senior User
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