Bowed Tailgate
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Junior User
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 70
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From: Southwestern MO
Bowed Tailgate
I had this in the paint and body work forum and received no reply. Does anyone know how to straighten a slightly bowed tail gate? It is in good shape except for being bowed in the middle. It is on my 1979 F-150 Styleside
Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 900
Likes: 3
Have you talked to your local body shop? They should have hydraulic rams and a frame machine they could use to tweak it. Maybe worth it just to stop by and get a quote at least. The labor would probably be close if not more than a reproduction tailgate. Do you have a shop press? Maybe a sturdy piece of equipment like a bucket on a backhoe to anchor it to and some bottle jacks or floor jack to gently massage it back into shape?
Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 1,244
Likes: 12
I also have this issue ( I'll try to take a pic tomorrow in the light). Mine looks straight on the outer face, but the inner face (box side) is bowed with about an inch of space between the truck and it in the middle.
I haven't been able to get it to open, though I can feel everything moving when I pull the handle. It does also have some dings and rust, not sure if this is worth having soneone fix.
I haven't been able to get it to open, though I can feel everything moving when I pull the handle. It does also have some dings and rust, not sure if this is worth having soneone fix.
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 7,893
Likes: 2,371
It takes a lot to bow them it takes more to straighten them. good luck I've never got one back where I wanted it without screwing it up.
If you get a repop and it bends you can just lean on it and straighten it back out. or find a good used one they're out there.
If you get a repop and it bends you can just lean on it and straighten it back out. or find a good used one they're out there.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 954
Likes: 575
Take it too a shop with a four post lift, park truck on lift. Take tail gate off and block it up under lift with 4x4. Set lift down on tailgate until desired effect. Never done tailgate but fixed lots of bumpers.
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Moderator & parts slinger
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 50,247
Likes: 5,815
From: S/W Missouri, Polk county
Here is how to get it open. https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post17563884
Good luck getting the bow out if it...what ever you use to "pull in/down" maybe using some straps to get a pull on all of it at once?
FYI the bow or bend in a t/g comes from it being open and to much weight is set on the middle part closest to the bed. Like big logs, or large rocks or a 833/1100 lb round bale of hay...
Good luck getting the bow out if it...what ever you use to "pull in/down" maybe using some straps to get a pull on all of it at once?
FYI the bow or bend in a t/g comes from it being open and to much weight is set on the middle part closest to the bed. Like big logs, or large rocks or a 833/1100 lb round bale of hay...
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Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,922
Likes: 153
I put a floor jack under the rear axle and jack the truck off the ground. Then I put the tail gate under a wheel sitting it on two blocks, one at each end. Slowly let the jack down on it and a few tries later and it was straight, with no damage.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 996
Likes: 318
I just straightened mine yesterday. It was bowed from farm use mostly in middle and bottom and a little at top. Laying a straight edge across the middle it was bowed at least 1.5". I placed the gate on 4x4s at each end then using 2' long pieces of 4x4, 2x4 and 5/8 plywood strips placed at strategic location mostly in middle. Try to place wood so you are pushing evenly on more than just one area. This is reason for various thicknesses of wood. I had the luxury at work to use a forklift and a 2000lb heavy steel plastics injection mold and lowered it down very slow onto the wood blocks placed over the bowed areas and kept working it slowly. Stop and check, stop and check, etc. You have to bend it slightly over as it springs back. Caution you have to watch because mine wanted to kink dead center right above the hole for the hand latch because it is weak there. If I had to do over I would remove the latch handle and cut a couple wood blocks that fit tight up in to help support the outer skin and keep it from bowing. You can also place wood underneath to support areas that don't need as much straightening. I was amazed at how well it turned out. Unfortunately I did not have phone with me to take pics.
More Turbo
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 656
Likes: 5
From: Salisbury, PA
I tried to straighten mine by placing under my engine hoist frame and then using a strap and the engine hoist pulling around the middle. It did straighten it but it pulled the middle up and left two gentle dips on either side of the center. Depends on how perfect you are wanting it. If you plan on doing a professional body work and paint scheme you are better off buying a good aftermarket one.
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