Removing tailgate
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,014
Likes: 91
From: Concord, CA
Removing tailgate
Since I need to do everything by myself with my bed I thought I'd ask if there was a good way, bad way to remove the tailgate.
You got the folding bracket on the tailgate and on the body. Then the lower bracket, with two bolts, on the body. Any particular order or it doesn't matter and just watch out for where your feet are?
You got the folding bracket on the tailgate and on the body. Then the lower bracket, with two bolts, on the body. Any particular order or it doesn't matter and just watch out for where your feet are?
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
Likes: 74
From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
Mike I just went out to look at mine. You choose which side you want to remove and remove the bottom bolt with the tailgate closed. Next lower the gate and loosen the top bold on your chosen side, pull the side bars up while lifting the gate and remove them at the gate end (both sides). Let the gate down til it rests on the bumper, then complete removing the mount. Once the top bolt is out raise that side and slide the gate off the other end. You should now have it disconnected and in your hands. Rest it in the place of your choice.
Don't know what your next move might be.
John
Don't know what your next move might be.
John
Thread Starter
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,014
Likes: 91
From: Concord, CA
Well I started at the top and after removing the side brackets I lowered the tailgate down on top of a seat. Taking a look below I then raised it a bit to get the bottom bolt on each side before lowering it to get the top two bolts.
What I see after getting it out it will not be so easy, at all, putting in a new nicely painted tailgate without scratching something. That part is going to be nerve wracking.
What I see after getting it out it will not be so easy, at all, putting in a new nicely painted tailgate without scratching something. That part is going to be nerve wracking.
Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: Cloverdale CA
When I put my tailgate back on I used two bricks. One on each side of the bumper wrapped in a towel.
It worked out great the brick was the exact height I needed to lift bumper in place. I slid one side
on to the hinge, then with one hand holding the bumper I finger tightened the top bolt on the other side.
It was pretty easy, as always, just take your time.
It worked out great the brick was the exact height I needed to lift bumper in place. I slid one side
on to the hinge, then with one hand holding the bumper I finger tightened the top bolt on the other side.
It was pretty easy, as always, just take your time.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,014
Likes: 91
From: Concord, CA
While my truck was painted a second time I have noticed a few things. One, there is very little if any of the original holly green on the tailgate hinges. I'm sure all the brackets were bare original finish.
Two, despite the blue it looks like there is some of the two tone white paint on the inside of the bed cap. The white comes around the side of the bed to the back and then looks to slant ( / )upwards to meet the white along the inner edge of the bed.
Next, it seems Ford just used caulking sealer between the toolbox and the body of the bed. Same stuff I have seen countless times. Not that I intend to do that as I am thinking of using some rubber tubing, no bigger than 1/4" like windshield wiper hose, to wrap around the box. More water tight and less digging into the new paint with the edges of the toolbox.
Those lower brackets the tailgate rotates on were bone dry and had some surface rust. Looks like they could use a good coat of grease when the tailgate is put back in.
Two, despite the blue it looks like there is some of the two tone white paint on the inside of the bed cap. The white comes around the side of the bed to the back and then looks to slant ( / )upwards to meet the white along the inner edge of the bed.
Next, it seems Ford just used caulking sealer between the toolbox and the body of the bed. Same stuff I have seen countless times. Not that I intend to do that as I am thinking of using some rubber tubing, no bigger than 1/4" like windshield wiper hose, to wrap around the box. More water tight and less digging into the new paint with the edges of the toolbox.
Those lower brackets the tailgate rotates on were bone dry and had some surface rust. Looks like they could use a good coat of grease when the tailgate is put back in.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 860
Likes: 13
From: Asheville, NC
Several repop places list a replacement version of bottom tailgate hinge pivots as polyurethane "with impregnated lubricant". Have not tried so cannot say anything regarding how they work....maybe someone else had tried them.
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