Adjusting tailgate
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Concord, CA
Adjusting tailgate
I thought there would be something in the manual, Vol. 2, about adjusting the tailgate. I thought wrong as there was no mention of it in the body section.
So how does one get different movement? I have the top of the gate level with the bed itself. I have the very bottom of the gate flush when looking from the side. However, the top when looking from the side is almost 1/4" out. This, of course, prevents the tailgate latch to mate up and secure the tailgate. The other interesting thing is that all the tension is on the right scissors hinge while the left has no tension in it despite being level at the top.
So how does one get different movement? I have the top of the gate level with the bed itself. I have the very bottom of the gate flush when looking from the side. However, the top when looking from the side is almost 1/4" out. This, of course, prevents the tailgate latch to mate up and secure the tailgate. The other interesting thing is that all the tension is on the right scissors hinge while the left has no tension in it despite being level at the top.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2011
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Not sure I understand what your saying, course I'm sometimes a little slow. Age maybe.
Anyway, let me see if I understand you.
- the gate is even across the top - left fender top, top of gate, right fender top.
- Gap between the bottom of gate and bed floor is even.
- outside surface is lever - L. fender, face of tail gate, R. fender. (Both top and bottom)
SO, are you saying the 'gap' between the sides of the gate and the bed are not the same, AND are is the gap at the top (same area) larger on one side?
Gate support arms is another issues, need to understand the above first.
Anyway, let me see if I understand you.
- the gate is even across the top - left fender top, top of gate, right fender top.
- Gap between the bottom of gate and bed floor is even.
- outside surface is lever - L. fender, face of tail gate, R. fender. (Both top and bottom)
SO, are you saying the 'gap' between the sides of the gate and the bed are not the same, AND are is the gap at the top (same area) larger on one side?
Gate support arms is another issues, need to understand the above first.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2011
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Interesting. With the gate closed, look down on the inside surface of the 'bottom' of the gate. Is there any gap at all between the bottom of the gate and the bed floor? If there is no room, the bottom hinge might be to far forward toward the bed, which might not allow the top of the gate to close flush. I have run into that be on a guys truck. Just a couple thoughts here. Do you have the rubber bumper stops at the top of where the gate hits the bed tops. I remember one of the members getting the wrong rubber bumpers from a supplier that were WAY too big and prevented the gate to fully close, and not latch. He reused the old ones and the gate closed correctly. The other thought is,,, are those the original support arms for that truck. Wonder if they might be in the way. ??? Note really sure if all the years match. Bill (ND) or another member might know the answer.
I know the latches are adjustable but it looks like those are not the problem since the gate will not close flush. Just a thought.
Don't get frustrated, the cure will find its way.
I know the latches are adjustable but it looks like those are not the problem since the gate will not close flush. Just a thought.
Don't get frustrated, the cure will find its way.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,014
Likes: 91
From: Concord, CA
The gate I took off was for a 1972 F100. Can't make an assumption one way or the other as to which support arms were used. The bottom of the gate does have space between it and the bed I made sure of that. So those hinges are rear as far as they can go. I did cut down the middle rubber bumpers a little to make sure they didn't restricted movement of the support arms. Tomorrow I'll pull the small top round bumpers to see what happens.
I do know one thing and that is the accent line along the top of the two gates is slightly different. Since I painted my gate off the car I measured the depth of the white top on the 72 gate. So when I put my 65 gate in I found that the white line on the two end caps was between 1/8-3/16 deeper than the one on the gate. A mismatch. However, painting a 1/8" line might be more trouble than it is worth since the whole top would need to be done.
I do know one thing and that is the accent line along the top of the two gates is slightly different. Since I painted my gate off the car I measured the depth of the white top on the 72 gate. So when I put my 65 gate in I found that the white line on the two end caps was between 1/8-3/16 deeper than the one on the gate. A mismatch. However, painting a 1/8" line might be more trouble than it is worth since the whole top would need to be done.
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Posting Guru
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I know some guys use the later model gate but they are different than the earlier 61-66 gates. Even the 67 gates are different. I think only in facial features though. I do believe one of the members posted a while back that he had trouble also mounting the later yr gate.
I'm sure when Bill (ND) gets time, he will chime in on what fits what. Maybe its just a change of hinges,
I'm sure when Bill (ND) gets time, he will chime in on what fits what. Maybe its just a change of hinges,
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From: Simi Valley, CA
1961/66: Three different Styleside tailgates: 1961/66 F100/350's with "wrong" beds; 1961/63 F100/250 2WD Uni's and 1964/66 F100/250 2WD & 1966 F100 4WD
C4TZ-9940700-A .. Styleside Tailgate-has large FORD block letters ~ Original applications: 1964/66 F100/250 2WD & 1966 F100 4WD
September 1966: FoMoCo replaced C4TZ-9940700-A with C7TZ-9940700-A .. 1967 (1967/72) F100/350 Styleside tailgate for use as a "service part replacement."
C7TZ tailgate has smaller FORD letters surrounded by a raised ovate scallop line. ALL the mounting hardware is exactly the same as the C4TZ tailgate!
The "scissors" (C4TZ-9944400-A R/L tailgate supports) were also used on the 1973/79 Styleside tailgate, but no other parts are the same.
AFAIK, no one is reproducing the C4TZ tailgate and nice examples can be difficult to find...considering it hasn't been available since 9/1966.
C4TZ-9940700-A .. Styleside Tailgate-has large FORD block letters ~ Original applications: 1964/66 F100/250 2WD & 1966 F100 4WD
September 1966: FoMoCo replaced C4TZ-9940700-A with C7TZ-9940700-A .. 1967 (1967/72) F100/350 Styleside tailgate for use as a "service part replacement." C7TZ tailgate has smaller FORD letters surrounded by a raised ovate scallop line. ALL the mounting hardware is exactly the same as the C4TZ tailgate!
The "scissors" (C4TZ-9944400-A R/L tailgate supports) were also used on the 1973/79 Styleside tailgate, but no other parts are the same.
AFAIK, no one is reproducing the C4TZ tailgate and nice examples can be difficult to find...considering it hasn't been available since 9/1966.
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