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The tailgate is installed a little lopsided. The opening is 1/2" tighter at the top then the bottom. The supports already hit and damaged the metal next to the tail lights (see pics) The supports move in and out when opening and bind when the tailgate is near closed and it shifts the tailgate over where ever it wants it to be and its not centered up at all inside the bedside openings. So here are my questions:
1. How do I open up the top 1/2" wider to match the bottom opening of the bed? Force and verbal manipulation? Loosen a few bolts somewhere?
2. Is the bottom opening too wide? My measurements are 67 3/4" Bottom width and 67 1/4" Top width
3. Are there better quality and cheaper quality supports? Not sure which ones the PO bought. Seems like these have a lot of play and binding in them but maybe that will change some with proper bed alignment?
Looks like left side is pulled inward and right side is pushed out. They should be parallel, and both 90 degrees from the bed floor rear crossmember. Stock, only the rear bed side stake pocket supports them, it's just stuck to the floor (welded) and often they rust or get tweaked by loads, etc. I've seen them flap if the tailgate is open, the tailgate braces them.
One alternative is installing pre runner style braces. I braced mine 35 years or more ago in my own way, tying the sides together with a 4" wide 1/4" thick steel addition behind the lower tail gate. The braces found in a google search for "bed braces" or "pre-runner braces" are easier to make and can be bought.pre runner bed braces - Google Search
Looks like left side is pulled inward and right side is pushed out. They should be parallel, and both 90 degrees from the bed floor rear crossmember. Stock, only the rear bed side stake pocket supports them, it's just stuck to the floor (welded) and often they rust or get tweaked by loads, etc. I've seen them flap if the tailgate is open, the tailgate braces them.
One alternative is installing pre runner style braces. I braced mine 35 years or more ago in my own way, tying the sides together with a 4" wide 1/4" thick steel addition behind the lower tail gate. The braces found in a google search for "bed braces" or "pre-runner braces" are easier to make and can be bought.pre runner bed braces - Google Search
so I should be able to man handle the bed tops apart a half inch or so without too much effort?
I've seen them flapping, but if not straight up from the bed floor, they've been tweaked. Open the tailgate, then push in or out a little to test them. You might be able to get them straight up, and there be enough room in the latches. Has the truck ever had bed sides replaced? The skins that you see are attached to the inner bed sides and it could be they weren't positioned so well. Truthfully, I've seen much worse.
I've seen them flapping, but if not straight up from the bed floor, they've been tweaked. Open the tailgate, then push in or out a little to test them. You might be able to get them straight up, and there be enough room in the latches. Has the truck ever had bed sides replaced? The skins that you see are attached to the inner bed sides and it could be they weren't positioned so well. Truthfully, I've seen much worse.
I think both bedsides were replaced. They are in there solid. Not much wiggle room. I may have to make up some contraption to get them to separate a little at the top.
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