How's your tailgate shut?
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 8,542
Likes: 5
From: Louisiana
I just went spray the heck out of every moving part/latch on my tailgate with WD40, and it is a lot less noisier, takes less force to move, but I still need to pull the handle to close it or slam it.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,692
Likes: 1,012
From: Near Yosemite CA
Well, mine depends on why I am shutting it,,,, 
whether it is getting slammed or holding the handle and closing. But it the words of my dad " ya ain't tuning a dam* piano, shut the gate!"
But it does close nice if I hold the handle, or I can slam it, same as on my 66
whether it is getting slammed or holding the handle and closing. But it the words of my dad " ya ain't tuning a dam* piano, shut the gate!"But it does close nice if I hold the handle, or I can slam it, same as on my 66
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 669
Likes: 0
From: Crestline, California
Mine will shut without "much" slaming as long as I keep it lubed. Silly as it sounds though, I always pull the handle up so as to not wear out the metal in the latching parts any sooner than possible. Call me nuts. I love my truck!
Dak
Dak
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
From: Harpswell
one of the hinges on mine is broke so the right side hangs lower than the left. so when i close it i have to pick it up so the left is even with the right or it doesnt stay shut
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Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,192
Likes: 1
From: lino lakes, mn
the newer trucks use a completly different latching system more like a car door with a striker pin they started using this style in 87 so no you will never get a 70's ford to close like an 04.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 359
Likes: 1
From: Saint Paul, MN
Sometimes my tailgate won't even open. If it does, I can either slam it or close it softly by pulling on the handle. It depends what type of mood I'm in. Pulling on the handle usually works best. It needs to be lubed again but it's a little chilly outside now.
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 5,277
Likes: 0
From: St George, SC I-95
Jbradley,
I dont know. My tailgate doest have any side to side slop.
If it did I would probably put 1 washer in between the tailgate trunion and the bed to shim the trunion out some. If necessary you could shim both sides and could probably be shimmed out 2-3 washers per side before longer bolts would be needed but I seriously doubt its that bad.
This wouldnt by chance be an aftermarket tailgate?
I dont know. My tailgate doest have any side to side slop.
If it did I would probably put 1 washer in between the tailgate trunion and the bed to shim the trunion out some. If necessary you could shim both sides and could probably be shimmed out 2-3 washers per side before longer bolts would be needed but I seriously doubt its that bad.
This wouldnt by chance be an aftermarket tailgate?
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