Tailgate Bracket
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 921
Likes: 305
From: Wanilla, MS
Tailgate Bracket
Anyone knows the purpose of this bracket on the passenger's side fo the tailgate????
I've got a "Line of Fire" LED taillight bar and this bracket is in the way.
I've got a "Line of Fire" LED taillight bar and this bracket is in the way.
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,598
Likes: 5
From: Maryland
I still haven't fully figured out their intentions with that one. Both the piece on the tailgate and the one on the truck have been gone from my truck for over 50,000 miles now. I took them off to install a light bar just like you intend to do. My brother has also removed his.
The two pieces never made contact on my truck so I can't figure out how it can help with aligning or retaining the tailgate. This much I can tell you, your tailgate won't fall off without it!
The two pieces never made contact on my truck so I can't figure out how it can help with aligning or retaining the tailgate. This much I can tell you, your tailgate won't fall off without it!
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,598
Likes: 5
From: Maryland
When you have the step and stripper pole, the tailgate is covered with an ignorant plastic bedliner piece. I never realized those pieces weren't on the non-step tailgates. Maybe those brackets are related to the step cantilevering the tailgate. My fat a$$ uses the step all the time and I've never noticed any movement without the brackets in place.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,616
Likes: 6
From: Whitecourt AB, Canada
Yeah I thought it was to provide additional support for the tailgate but they don't touch when the tailgate is opened so as far as I can tell it's supposed to prevent side-to-side shifting of the tailgate on the hinges and reduce any play that may be present.
I don't have frillsy stuff like that on my truck so I just have the regular tailgate which doesn't have this piece, but the threads are present.
I don't have frillsy stuff like that on my truck so I just have the regular tailgate which doesn't have this piece, but the threads are present.
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 921
Likes: 305
From: Wanilla, MS
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Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,051
Likes: 10
From: TEXAS
This is one thread I sure did appreciate, time to remove mine and put the light strip in place.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 6,673
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From: Milford, MI
It's that the factory "tuffbed" liner?
Most of those light strips attach with double sided tape, and I found out the hard way tape does not stick to it. Ended up giving mine to my brother in law.
Most of those light strips attach with double sided tape, and I found out the hard way tape does not stick to it. Ended up giving mine to my brother in law.
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 921
Likes: 305
From: Wanilla, MS
Yes, it's the "tuffbed" factory lining. On my F-150 the LED bar had screw tabs on it and I used stainless steel screws to install it. I have to check my new LED bar to see if it also has the screw tabs.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,536
Likes: 200
From: southeast PA
I have to agree with Senix here. It keeps the tailgate on the hinges unless you intend to take it off. I know on my 04 F150 (did not have bracket) I had it happen one time, but if you get enough debris between the gate and bed then try to close the gate, it'll flop off the hinges and you get to try to catch it. These damn tailgates are heavy and that's no fun. I've had my gate off a few times with the bracket on the 13 and it needs to be in just the right position for it to come off.
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