Tailgate Safe to put weight on?
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Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 47
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From: Staunton, IL
Tailgate Safe to put weight on?
Last week I stood on my tailgate and BAM, the rear window completely shattered in it. Well, while getting a new window put in, the installer realized that the torsion bar had broke its spot welds to the tailgate. So I had a guy that knew what he was doing weld it back, but he said that the tailgate would be really heavy to lift now, and since one of my tailgate support cables was broken and one was in really bad shape,I should get new ones. So I installed brand new support cables. So, should I trust my tailgate with weight again? Right now I am afraid to even step on it, since last time the glass busted on me and that torsion bar is no longer properly installed (i am guessing since the tailgate is a lot heaver now.)
Derek
Derek
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
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Tailgate Safe to put weight on?
I'd say it was a problem that was a history in the making. Putting weight on the tailgate is normal. As long as the torsion bar and cables are good, there should be no problem putting weight on it.
I stand on my 89's tailgate, which has orig. equipment. I actually unloaded an entertainment center by standing on the tailgate. The entertainment center was probably an additional 80+ lbs and I am over the 300# mark myself. (Mostly muscle of course! Well, 70% muscle) So I KNOW that it will hold 400 lbs or so.
just replace bad parts and you will be fine.
jim
I stand on my 89's tailgate, which has orig. equipment. I actually unloaded an entertainment center by standing on the tailgate. The entertainment center was probably an additional 80+ lbs and I am over the 300# mark myself. (Mostly muscle of course! Well, 70% muscle) So I KNOW that it will hold 400 lbs or so.
just replace bad parts and you will be fine.
jim
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 9,182
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From: Gateway to the West
Tailgate Safe to put weight on?
Had the same thing happen to mine. It was a result of attempting to close it. Torsion bar did the same thing. Its more likely that the brackets have rusted and caused the problem. The bar was never welded in. Rust and corrosion may make it seem that way. I replaced the tailgate, the rear glass, and the torsion bar all at the same time. The internal end of the bar rests in a trough that is supposed to keep that end stationary while the other end is free to rotate as the gate is opened and closed. The added weight most likely just aggravated the weakened trough and it let go.
Interesting to note: When I bought a new torsion bar from Ford, the new one was much longer at the internal end than the original had been. The guys at the parts counter said it was because the shorter ones had a history of doing exactly what happened to you and me. The longer one may still be susceptable to having its brackets rust and release it but its too long to spin around and shatter the glass.
Interesting to note: When I bought a new torsion bar from Ford, the new one was much longer at the internal end than the original had been. The guys at the parts counter said it was because the shorter ones had a history of doing exactly what happened to you and me. The longer one may still be susceptable to having its brackets rust and release it but its too long to spin around and shatter the glass.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,987
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From: Memphis, TN
Tailgate Safe to put weight on?
My brother & I repeatedly jumped off my father's roof onto my camper, then onto my t/g when we were roofing it, so it's certainly capable of handling weight (2 guys ~200lb ea, sometimes carrying a pack of shingles). I've also rolled a piano into the bed. 
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Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 47
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From: Staunton, IL
Tailgate Safe to put weight on?
Ok everyone...BUT CAN THE TAILGATE HOLD WEIGHT WHEN IT ONLY HAS THE TWO CABLES SUPPORTING IT. I DO NOT TRUST THE TORSION BAR NOW THAT IT WAS BROKEN AND WELDED TO THE TAILGATE JUST SO IT WOULDN'T HIT THE WINDOW. IT IS NO LONGER FUNCTIONAL LOL
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 2,205
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From: Vancouver WA
Tailgate Safe to put weight on?
The cables support the tailgate when it's open. The torsion bar is there to make it easier to close the tailgate. So, it should support the same amount of weight, when open, with or without the torsion bar.
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Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2003
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From: Staunton, IL
Tailgate Safe to put weight on?
Thank you! Finally I feel comfortable standing on my tailgate again 
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2001
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From: Round Rock, TX
Tailgate Safe to put weight on?
Steve has mentioned that a good torsion bar should be able to hold the gate at whatever position you leave it at if it's open more than 1/2, and that it should close the gate if it is less than 1/2 open. My torsion bar seems to do nothing. I took the access panel off of the tailgate and checked out the torsion bar. It is complete, not broken anywhere in the middle. Its brackets are still attached at each end. Do they wear out, or is there something else that I should look for?
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2003
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Tailgate Safe to put weight on?
My torsion bar must be bust, because I have never had any help from it when closing the tailgate, it weighs a good deal, so I am interested in this assitance. I'll have to go get My stuff checked.
Bama
Bama
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Joined: Jan 2003
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Tailgate Safe to put weight on?
I recently replaced the tailgate & torsion bar on my 90. The torsion bar wasn't bad to slide into the tailgate, but hooking it up to the body was a major pain without help, as you have to hold the tailgate almost closed, pry the new torsion bar out from the tailgate and then bolt it to the body. And a tailgate in proper condition requires a fair bit of force to pry out. It is most definately worth the price and effort though!
1990 XLT Bronco (Casper)
31 x 10.5 Kumho Powerguard MT's, 4" Trailmaster lift
1990 XLT Bronco (Casper)
31 x 10.5 Kumho Powerguard MT's, 4" Trailmaster lift