How to partially close tailgate
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 26,007
Likes: 575
From: Brentwood,CA
Not sure if you have the ability but I bought a pair of tailgate hold open bars and cut them in the center and overlapped them by 3" and welded them. Keeps my gate at about a 25 degree angle. I did it to hold a set of tires for a sprint car and there wasn't enough room with my toolbox and transfer tank.
Hotshot
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 12,360
Likes: 4,394
From: SW VA
Go to Tractor Supply/Lowes/HD and get a piece of 1" or 1.25" flat bar, 1/8" thick. Measure the distance you need, cut to length, drill holes on each end for mounting. Remove the stock cables and replace with these.
If you do it right, you should even be able to pop it off the bedside and shut the tailgate without having to remove them. I don't have my truck right in front of me to study though...
If you do it right, you should even be able to pop it off the bedside and shut the tailgate without having to remove them. I don't have my truck right in front of me to study though...
Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 906
Likes: 107
From: Seattle area
I’ll sell you my patented method for just $20...
Just loop the tailgate cable over the latch stud. If you want it a little higher, loop it twice. Works with almost all years and models, it’s strong, and doesn’t require any extra parts.
Now, about that $20...
Mountain Pass
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 180
Likes: 36
Ive been doing this for years. Works great.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 195
Likes: 3
I like. What happens if I hit a speed bump, have the cables ever jumped off and the tailgate drop? I like the flat bar idea, guess its not that big of deal to remove and reinstall cables. Really wanted to use my welding machine....
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 195
Likes: 3
You guys be careful what angle you levant it at. if you don't have a tailgate lock you will pop your tailgate off
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Tuned
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 345
Likes: 21
From: Galveston, Texas
Do you know from a bad experience lol
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 906
Likes: 107
From: Seattle area
Absolutely! A hose clamp on the passenger side hinge is a must if you want to drive like that. Forgot to mention that in first post.
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robski_1970
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Feb 17, 2020 08:26 AM