I couldn't find a single zip tie that was big enough so I had to buy a whole bag full for about $8 or so. So far I have hooked up about 5 pals who have F150s and had no idea the tailgate came off so easily.

 

Maybe yours is damaged slightly from the first event and you cant see some adjustment it needs. Ive worked for Ford since 95 and Ive never had a customer complaint about this from any of our customers nor has any other technician ever mentioned it. Most of us own a truck around here too.

 

I'm confused about where you guys are putting the zip ties or hose clamps; could you be more specific or post a few pictures? I'm sure others are confused, so thanks in advance from all of us!

 

On the passenget side, you wrap it around the part where the tailgate connects to the truck. Drop your tail gate and it will be a round thing like shown above.

 

I put a couple layers of black tape around the tailgate thingy and put a hose clamp around it.The hoseclamp is black too so it doesn't show up real well in the pic.

 

The TG will come off if you have something in the bed pushing aganst it when you try to close it. In my case it was a couple of pieces of cardboard. They were a few inches longer than the bed so I just tried to cram it in by lifting the Tg and shoving it closed. Thats when it popped right off and was dangling by the metal straps. I have a ss hose clamp on it now and it works perfect!

 

Surely someone has removed or knows how to remove the tailgate travel pin!!!

Mine is interferring with my LED lightbar and I can't put down the tailgate.

Help!!!

 

A hose clamp works great for this and only costs $1.38.

 

Never had a problem with the tailgate. I installed a mod from Moss motors on LH side of tailgate.... it's a hydraulic snubber,so the tailgate will not drop if you let go......lowers nice & slow.

 

Buck 1, check the 4th post in this thread by tylus. That link has instructions and pictures. It also keeps thieves from easily taking off your tailgate in the night.

Xyzzy, $8!? Well, just keep hooking up your F-150 buddies. Bags of these shouldn't really be that expensive ... try Home Depot or another hardware store. Luckily, my employer uses thousands of these per month in various sizes and colors. A good 8" or more version should work. And these things are stronger than you think! A hose clamp will work just fine, but I find the tie-wrap easier.

 

It was Home Depot!

I like the tie wrap better too. It won't rust like a hose clamp will.

If you are in Raleigh and need your tailgate hooked up for free, just drop on by!



(No special reason for that last emoticon, just been wanting to use it for a while!)

 

The reason I use a hose clamp is because it works a little better as a theft deterrant.It's not theft proof but it would take a thief a couple extra minutes to remove than a zip tie.

 

Of course, simply keeping my tailgate locked AT ALL TIMES kind of prevents that.

 

yep, mine is locked unless I'm in the bed getting something

 

An interesting solution that is kinda based on what we are doing now:

http://www.jimmijammer.com/GK%20Inst...d,%20Dodge.htm