Liftgate cracking all over
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Liftgate cracking all over
I have an '86 BronchoII Eddie Bauer. Where the spare tire rack goes into the holder, my liftgate is cracking all over. The holder is getting ready to let go, and the tire holder rattles every time I hit a bump. I really need to figure out how to fix this. If anyone knows how to do body work, and is in IN, let me know. HELP!! Angel ....I'd replace it with another, but they want $350 without glass, and I have the split glass on mine.
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From: Pittsburgh, PA
Liftgate cracking all over
[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 18-Jul-01 AT 01:39 PM (EST)[/font][p]i have an 86 BII and also and had the same prohblem with the gate cracking. i repaired it once and it cracked again so i riped the carrier off and threw the spare in the back and patched up all the holes and cracks and know my BII rides a lot quieter. Besides i hate the way vehicles look with the tire on the back. (just my opinion)
PS= Body work isn't all that hard, i had never done it either before this and i turned out great.
PS= Body work isn't all that hard, i had never done it either before this and i turned out great.
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Liftgate cracking all over
I'll try to fix it first, because I have to have room for 3 daughters soccer and softball equipment, plus chairs. Also, what happens when I got to the grocery store? Do I put the kids on the roof? LOL Thanks, Angel
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Liftgate cracking all over
I have the same liftgate cracking in my 85 B2. Ford wanted over $700 for a new one and no telling how long it will last on the bumpy roads out here on the Mojave Desert. Love my B2 but am not happy with Ford for putting on such a cheap liftgate. Guess I'll take mine off, unless someone has some ideas for a fix.
Jay
Jay
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From: Pittsburgh, PA
Liftgate cracking all over
it is not the tailgate it is the bracket. where the 2 bolts go through the gate they go into a peice of metal bracket about 4" by 6". the does not give enough support to the fiberglass so it cracks. you could go and put in a bigger peice of metal to spread the weight of the tire over a bigger area and then fix the crack.
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Liftgate cracking all over
We tried putting in a bigger piece of metal, and it worked for a little while. Once I started driving down the rough pothole roads around here, it didn't take too long for it to come loose again. Next try is a bigger bracket and piece of metal inside, then a fix on the fiberglass. What a pain!!!!
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Liftgate cracking all over
My friend had the same problem with his 87. He had an idea that not only works better, it adds utility to the truck. He used squared steel tubing and coustructed a fold down rack that bolts to the frame. It holds the spare solidly and never squeaks. He still has access to the hitch. You have to fold it down to open the gate, but its the same way with the side mount rack. The cool part is that it has a leg that swivels down from the top. and forms a table or seats or any flat surface. He keeps a piece of plywood back there for that purpose. E-Mail me if you would like to see drawings. They are not to scale and are pretty basic, but you'll get the general idea. The whole thing cost about $100 (U.S. Dollars) to build but he did his own welding. Its easy welding if you care to know. The rack also uses the stock hinges.
Mike
mikecmckeen(No Email Addresses In Posts!)
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From: Northern Virginia
Liftgate cracking all over
Part of the problem with the rear lift gate design is the slack that develops between the bracket and the tube that rests in the bracket. My 87 BII had a little piece of plastic in it originally and it rattled and bounched like crazy. After several attempts to solve the problem I finally decide to try duct tape. I put enough wraps around the tube until the fit was snug and the problem went away. Once or twice a year as the weather gets to the tape or it starts to wear, I remove a few wraps and then add some new tape. This last time, I removed all the tape and bought some 2" wide Scotch 33 electricians tape and applied the same way as before and it seems to be holding up even better than the duct tape. Good luck!
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From: Pittsburgh, PA
Liftgate cracking all over
you can try to replace the gate with a pickup truck tailgate! and mount the bracket on the metal of the gate.
check out these pics
http://1984fordbroncoii.homestead.com/files/Mvc-005s.jpg http://1984fordbroncoii.homestead.com/files/Mvc-003s.jpg
check out these pics
http://1984fordbroncoii.homestead.com/files/Mvc-005s.jpg http://1984fordbroncoii.homestead.com/files/Mvc-003s.jpg
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Liftgate cracking all over
That looks way too cool! I have to show this to my husband. that would be the best idea ever!! My back door rattles even without the tire or the tire rack on there. I'm so sick of hearing it rattle that I'd do anything right now. Thank you for the pictures. 
I might just go that way. Angel
I might just go that way. Angel
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