Rear tailgate closure

[chorky]

Could someone do me a favor and take a picture of their tailgate gap, maybe at the top, but from the side like maybe a 75 degree angle?

I noticed this morning that though my tailgate is closed, the gate itself sticks out past the metal of the body by maybe oh 1/4 inch? So you know how if you shut a door, but it doesn't close all the way? The tailgate kinda looks like that but it is closed all the way.

Just wanting to cross-reference if this is normal or if something was not aligned correctly from the factory.



Also...any recommendations on sealing the tailgate to prevent dust intrusion?

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[ShadowsPapa]

If you don't get anything/response - go to the search function, put in the words tailgate seal and hit enter. You may have to go through multiple pages of results but several here have done various things. I'm also looking for a solution as that's the only way anything gets into the back of my truck - the tailgate........

 

[chorky]

If you don't get anything/response - go to the search function, put in the words tailgate seal and hit enter. You may have to go through multiple pages of results but several here have done various things. I'm also looking for a solution as that's the only way anything gets into the back of my truck - the tailgate........

do you have a pic of it closed tho? does the tailgate end up flush with the body pannels or does it stick out a little kinda resembling if its not fully closed?

yeah I saw a thread elsewhere on the seals. I just was feeling lazy. I know...its not a good excuse. but the tailgate closure thing I haven't seen a thread on

 

[ShadowsPapa]

 

[chorky]

interesting.... now I'm a little unhappy..... :-/. Mine seems not the same.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Is there an adjustment on the latches?

my tailgate brake light quit working ?

Most likely there is.

Others have had similar issues, or rear camera issues, and sometimes it's a connection inside the tailgate. Not to bad to pull the panel off the tailgate and check.

 

[Zero_Accel]

interesting.... now I'm a little unhappy..... :-/. Mine seems not the same.

So just in case, before you go fiddling with anything like trying to adjust the latches, have you tried slamming it?

My tailgate, ever since I got the truck, would have a gap at the passenger side, and the drivers side would be flush. Thought I needed to adjust the latches, then I read on the forums somewhere that someone else had the same problem and the suggested solution was to try to close it firmly (slam it), with both hands close to both latches, shorter distances first so you don't overdo it.

I did that and whatdaya know, it lined up properly, the latches were not engaging fully on one side with a gentle closing motion. After a few more "encouraging" closing motions whenever I was in the bed, I need less force to get them to engage now, so give that a shot.

No need to be gentle, these girls are tough.

 

[Blade1668]

If you don't get anything/response - go to the search function, put in the words tailgate seal and hit enter. You may have to go through multiple pages of results but several here have done various things. I'm also looking for a solution as that's the only way anything gets into the back of my truck - the tailgate........

Bill most people just carry a bottle of water not powder form water.

On the lights and camera last week someone pulled beside me and signaled me, he told me I had left taillight out. Sure enough I pulled over slapped light it came back on.

 

[KWin]

My gap is closer to yours than flush. I'll grab a picture today

 

[Tedster]

Several, including myself, have experienced the same. As mentioned in a previous post, shut it forcefully and the gap will disappear.

 

[chorky]

So just in case, before you go fiddling with anything like trying to adjust the latches, have you tried slamming it?

My tailgate, ever since I got the truck, would have a gap at the passenger side, and the drivers side would be flush. Thought I needed to adjust the latches, then I read on the forums somewhere that someone else had the same problem and the suggested solution was to try to close it firmly (slam it), with both hands close to both latches, shorter distances first so you don't overdo it.

I did that and whatdaya know, it lined up properly, the latches were not engaging fully on one side with a gentle closing motion. After a few more "encouraging" closing motions whenever I was in the bed, I need less force to get them to engage now, so give that a shot.

No need to be gentle, these girls are tough.

Edit: well that was easy.

 

[KWin]

Pics

 

[jac04]

Pics

Have you tried closing the tailgate with a little more 'enthusiasm'? My tailgate looks just like that if I very gently close it, but it lines up nicely if I close it firmly.

 

[KWin]

Have you tried closing the tailgate with a little more 'enthusiasm'? My tailgate looks just like that if I very gently close it, but it lines up nicely if I close it firmly.

Yup, even slamming it with the tonneau retracted it just goes back to that sized gap.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

So just in case, before you go fiddling with anything like trying to adjust the latches, have you tried slamming it?

My tailgate, ever since I got the truck, would have a gap at the passenger side, and the drivers side would be flush. Thought I needed to adjust the latches, then I read on the forums somewhere that someone else had the same problem and the suggested solution was to try to close it firmly (slam it), with both hands close to both latches, shorter distances first so you don't overdo it.

I did that and whatdaya know, it lined up properly, the latches were not engaging fully on one side with a gentle closing motion. After a few more "encouraging" closing motions whenever I was in the bed, I need less force to get them to engage now, so give that a shot.

No need to be gentle, these girls are tough.

If you have to slam it, it's not adjusted right or there are other problems. These should shut/close with a light touch. Slam is a bandaid, not a fix, sorry.

I've done body work and restoration for a long time as far as door latches, hoods, tail gates, trunk lids - when closed and the latches adjusted, it holds it where it needs to be held without a slam.

I can lift and close mine with one hand and it latches nice and lines up great. My wife can even close it easily and she's got handicaps with her hands and arms.

If it takes more "push" or enthusiasm to get it closed and lined up that indicates the latches aren't adjusted or aren't closing properly.
There should be one single position when the tailgate is closed - not 2 as in "latched" and "in farther" - latched should be even.

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