When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Has anyone seen any alternatives to the factory tailgate supports like cables or something? I don't know if mine are warped or what, but they won't allow the tailgate to close. It doesn't seem to be an adjustment issue, as I've tried moving it every which way. They are not aftermarket, they are the original arms. The bed is from a different truck though, but also OEM. The tailgate is a reproduction from Dennis Carpenter. Maybe that's the issue?
Here you can see the issue, the post where the lower end of the arm attaches collides with the upper part of the arm when the tailgate closes.
Are the tailgate latch assemblies new (Part: 431D76)? I know you said the arms (Part: 44400) are the original ones, so I would imagine that not be the problem. It looks like the posts are sticking out too far.
Just went through this issue, well sort of. I took the bed from a '94 and put new dent bed sides on it. While I was at it, I took the guts from the '94 tail gate and put them in my '79. I used the '94 cables as well. I had to do quit a bit of fab work to make it all fit properly. All in all it was a worthwhile thing to do. I now have a tail gate that opens and closes as it should. No herkie jerkie tugs to open, no slam and have to hold the handle just right to close. I also modified the tail gate so it can be installed and removed like the newer trucks. I guess that don't answer your question other than you can install cables if you are too stupid like me to know it can't be done.
BTW, nice paint. In the picture it looks to be the same main color I painted mine.
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.
