Tailgate spacers
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
Tailgate spacers
When I went to install the tailgate on my 54 the bottom is so close to the bed that they rub when the tailgate opens. I want to space the tailgate out to give it a gap and was wondering if anybody has any ideas. I thought about cutting some fender welting as spacers and placing them behind the hinges.
Any other ideas?
Any other ideas?
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
I thought about that, but then the center area of the hinge isn't touching anything and I am concerned about how this would look. That's why I thought about the welting because I can cut it out to fit the entire hinge.
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,190
Likes: 2
From: Riverside, So Cal
Have you checked to see if the sill is flat all the way across? Is the gate straight? There should not be any rubbing between them. Makes me think something isn't straight.
The spacer is a good idea. I would use a sheet of stainless or aluminum.
The spacer is a good idea. I would use a sheet of stainless or aluminum.
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,005
Likes: 2
From: Santa Clarita
I had a problem with the rear sill not going down far enough. There is two options. I took the sill off and grind the end of the wood down slightly and then reinstalled the sill. The other option is take your hinge off and make a spacer using aluminum sheeting by simply tracing the hinge, drilling a couple holes. Don't go thick on the sheet metal because then the tailgate will stick out at the bottom and not be flush with the bed.
Last edited by imlowr2; Dec 29, 2005 at 10:32 AM.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 587
Likes: 0
From: Augusta, ME
Is this a new tailgate or the original one that you know fit before? I bought a new one from Mac Products and had a heck of a time with it rubbing, and got to looking at it laying flat on the ground and the passenger side of the bottom roll was cocked outward slightly, making it rub no matter what. I called them and they said they had a problem with a batch of them and that they would fix it. According to them that bottom roll that the hinges fit in isn't supposed to be straight, it should crown out in the middle just a little, and they took it back and fixed it. It does have just a slight crown if you eyeball it side to side but you can't see it looking straight on from the back. The crown makes the roll space out from the hinge enough that it doesn't rub the bed now.
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
The sill is straight, but the tailgate does bow out a little in the middle like was mentioned above. This tailgate was on before and had the same problem, but I never attempted to fix it.
I don't want to space out the bottom so far that it looks bad, but I also don't want to scrape the paint off the tailgate and sill trying to open and close the thing.
I don't want to space out the bottom so far that it looks bad, but I also don't want to scrape the paint off the tailgate and sill trying to open and close the thing.
Trending Topics
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,190
Likes: 2
From: Riverside, So Cal
Blue - How about trying to straighten the gate? Just restore the bottom to straight and the problem should go away. Someone on here a while back shared a pretty cool way to do it. I just can't remember how he did it.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,958
Likes: 1
I have straightened chrome bumpers a few times with hydraulics (porta-power) and didn't crack the chrome. Slow and careful is the key (everthing padded). You could use some sort of bottle jack perhaps instead of the porta-power. It depends on how and where its bowed I guess.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 153
Likes: 0
From: northeast texas
I had the same problem (showed up after new paint job). I toyed with the idea of making a spacer the same size as the tailgate hinge bracket. I ended up using thin washers and just painted them body color. I dont think the average person would notice and after a while you get used to it. After installing the washers I still had one spot about 1/2 inch long that was rubbing on the bed end cap. I finally had to take a file and file down the tailgate seam where the two pieces of metal are spotted together.
jim
jim
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 207
Likes: 0
From: Burkburnett, Texas
If you are going to attempt to bend it yourself, I have heard of people filling the bottom "tube" with sand; this is supposed to keep you from kinking it. This is also a method we use in the "field" for bending hydraulic lines for aircraft.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post