Tailgate Announcement
Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 1,117
Likes: 2
From: Hatfield's side of river
This is a real design mistake of Ford's part. I dinged my 2014 tailgate the first time I washed the truck by dropping the gate on a scrub brush. It was disappointing. This 2017 design is much worse. Imagine a couple of pieces of gravel on you bumper. The tailgate turns into a rock crusher. In my opinion, there should be no less than 2" between the bumper and tailgate.
This issue will probably be in the next Chevy truck commercial. They just love to find fault in their arch-nemesis.
This issue will probably be in the next Chevy truck commercial. They just love to find fault in their arch-nemesis.
Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 10,128
Likes: 663
From: NH
Snow and ice could actually be a concern on the last generation bumper / tailgate as well. I trained myself to remove snow and ice first before lowering the gate.
The new one is worse, from that regard anyway, but at least Ford continues to provide the ribbed plastic tops to the bumpers which are designed to break up frozen-on ice when you hit them with your fist. That works well.
Its probably hard to create a nice, tight-looking bumper and gate design while still making it functional and damage-resistant. If the gap was larger, than reviewers would probably complain about fit and finish.
Today is supposed to approach 90F, but this past Sunday we got 3" of snow! And the bumper had to be cleared of snow before lowering the tailgate!
The new one is worse, from that regard anyway, but at least Ford continues to provide the ribbed plastic tops to the bumpers which are designed to break up frozen-on ice when you hit them with your fist. That works well.
Its probably hard to create a nice, tight-looking bumper and gate design while still making it functional and damage-resistant. If the gap was larger, than reviewers would probably complain about fit and finish.
Today is supposed to approach 90F, but this past Sunday we got 3" of snow! And the bumper had to be cleared of snow before lowering the tailgate!
Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 10,128
Likes: 663
From: NH
Jimzpsd, could you post a pic of your truck? I'd love to see a Blue Jeans long bed XLT! Unless you already did somewhere else.
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 364
Likes: 1
Well, dropped the bumper a bit last night. I have about a quarter inch of clearance on each side now.Theres not a lot of room for adjustment, but enough to give some clearance. Happy that I can atleast use my tailgate step. Buddy is going to bring his by this evening and we are going to drop his some also.
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 2,438
Likes: 732
From: Wisconsin
These might not do it justustice, they were taken at the dealer in January prior to delivery, then home.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 241
Likes: 1
Thanks for the heads up.
Checked mine, got around 3/8 of an inch clearance minimum.
Was underneath and wondered if they aluminum from the can makers..... thinner than I would like. Gotta remember not to clip a snow pile at the end of the year.
Checked mine, got around 3/8 of an inch clearance minimum.
Was underneath and wondered if they aluminum from the can makers..... thinner than I would like. Gotta remember not to clip a snow pile at the end of the year.
New User
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
Just checked the tailgate to bumper clearance on my King Ranch and there is at least 3/4" gap.
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 364
Likes: 1
I guess whoever built our two trucks, didnt have the KR applique in mind when installing the bumper. Either way, even with the new found clearance, still catch my self triple checking that I dont have any tools or anything on the bumper before letting the tailgate down.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,027
Likes: 7
From: 46th State
I had Line-X done and I paid particular attention to the tailgate rear bumper clearance concern. I mentioned it to the Line-X guy and he said they was aware of the potential Issue.
Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 1,117
Likes: 2
From: Hatfield's side of river
I guess whoever built our two trucks, didnt have the KR applique in mind when installing the bumper. Either way, even with the new found clearance, still catch my self triple checking that I dont have any tools or anything on the bumper before letting the tailgate down.
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Kurtboyd
1961 - 1966 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
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Sep 13, 2015 05:02 AM