1979 tailgate adjustment?
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 151
Likes: 4
1979 tailgate adjustment?
There doesn't seem to be much info on the 73 to 79 tailgate latch and tailgate adjustments. Mine has to be slammed with the latch handle pulled out and it still doesn't latch most of the time. It there any info on how to get the tailgates working well on the 73 to 79 trucks?
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 110
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From: B.C. Canada
There is in/out adjustment on the latch on the gate itself, and the striker on the box has vertical adjustment. There is supposed to be a rubber bumper on the part of the box that the gate shuts on to stop it rattling.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 151
Likes: 4
I put new rubber bumper/dampers on that most to the box. The brackets them selves need adjustment, I will check to see if they need to be moved. I thought there would have been adjustments inside the tailgate.
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 854
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Don't fear the hammer. My bed was slightly tweaked from years of abuse. When I restored it (patch panels, welding, straightening dents, etc) the whole thing was ever so slightly off. When I reinstalled the tailgate, it wouldn't close right, no matter how much I messed with adjustments........ eventually I put a small pry bar in the upper lockink tab on the "tight" side and gave it a few sharp tabs with a ball peen hammer. Bent the tab about 1/4 inch and everything aligned up beautifully. Also, a dab of grease on the strap hinges and striker points makes a world of difference.
Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 4,436
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From: Regina, Saskatchewan
I recently disassembled my tailgate on my 1979 F250 thinking that the adjustments had something to do with the mechanisms inside the gate itself. I was wrong.
All of the adjustments happen along the edge of the bed between the space where the tailgate goes. Be prepared by having some penetrating lubricant and some heat available to break loose stuck bolts.
It will take a lot of patience, but there's a surprisingly large amount of adjustment available on these old truck tailgates.
All of the adjustments happen along the edge of the bed between the space where the tailgate goes. Be prepared by having some penetrating lubricant and some heat available to break loose stuck bolts.
It will take a lot of patience, but there's a surprisingly large amount of adjustment available on these old truck tailgates.
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 151
Likes: 4
I recently disassembled my tailgate on my 1979 F250 thinking that the adjustments had something to do with the mechanisms inside the gate itself. I was wrong.
All of the adjustments happen along the edge of the bed between the space where the tailgate goes. Be prepared by having some penetrating lubricant and some heat available to break loose stuck bolts.
It will take a lot of patience, but there's a surprisingly large amount of adjustment available on these old truck tailgates.
All of the adjustments happen along the edge of the bed between the space where the tailgate goes. Be prepared by having some penetrating lubricant and some heat available to break loose stuck bolts.
It will take a lot of patience, but there's a surprisingly large amount of adjustment available on these old truck tailgates.
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Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 151
Likes: 4
Don't fear the hammer. My bed was slightly tweaked from years of abuse. When I restored it (patch panels, welding, straightening dents, etc) the whole thing was ever so slightly off. When I reinstalled the tailgate, it wouldn't close right, no matter how much I messed with adjustments........ eventually I put a small pry bar in the upper lockink tab on the "tight" side and gave it a few sharp tabs with a ball peen hammer. Bent the tab about 1/4 inch and everything aligned up beautifully. Also, a dab of grease on the strap hinges and striker points makes a world of difference.
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