I finally found a tailgate for my '79 F100 and immediately tried to install it. I'm stopped dead in my tracks for the moment because it won't close. The latch catches at the top don't line up with the slots in the gate...

Are the catches supposed to be in line with the bed? They're bowed out enough to miss by a good half inch.

I don't know what would cause this to happen or what to do to fix them. I'm thinking using a pipe wrench to bend them in or remove them and use a vise to get them bent inward.

Also, my gate just barely clears the hinges.

 

1. is the tailgate bowed? this will cause poor alignment. 2. Has the box spread out at the top? If it is in at the bottom and out at the top that lower cross member might be shot. Right now I'm looking out the window at my 78 and I know the top of the box is out. If there is no rot you can bring the top back into alignment by using a com-a-long in the stake pockets, it doesn't take much effort.

 

Hey GLR, we've talked before but it's been awhile. No, it's more the opposite, if the bed is not aligned it would be the top is inward though it appears straight. I guess I could get a square and see if it's 90 degrees from bed floor?

The truck had the tailgate and rear bumper frammed, it could be they pried the tailgate and bent the strikers inward. If they were straight out they'd line up with the striker plates at top of gate ends.

I'd have to come-a-long outwardly to do any good or use a board and jack to spread it slightly..... hmmm... I'll check the square first let you know

 

Upon closer look in better light, the strikers are bent toward the center of the bed enough to not align with the plate.

I am thinking two clamps with 1/4 plywood either side will keep it from bending the tab? Or knock it in with a hammer? I can see the bed post that its bolted to is bulged.

 

If the post where the striker is, is bulge someone must have hooked on to the strikers and pulled in. A hammer and block of wood might do the trick. The strikers should be at 90 degrees

 

Ok LA... I bent them in at 90 degrees... now got tailgate jam...

also there is a missing clip on one of the linkages and the right side doesn't pull back... got to take one from another gate then order or get new parts for the handles...

anyone know where to get the clips?