Tricky tailgate question.

[DEMIGOD]

1989 GW

Heres the deal folks and I need some senior insight. My tailgate will latch securely on the drivers side but wont fully catch on the passangers side. i looked at the little clip on the side or I guess you would call it a latch (gold color u shaped) and it moves freely open when I unlatch from the inside pull handle. i manually moved the latch to two locking positions, and it stays secure, however when its go time to shut the tailgate, it will not catch on click number two, that would hold her tight. I tried slamming it and putting my weight against the tailgate, but she still pops back out. Any insight will be greatly appriciated.

Thanks,

Curt

[Shaggin' Wagon]

You can adjust the receiver a bit. You may want to back it out or closer to the tailgate and see if it catches.

[Mark40]

Try pushing the interior release handle down before closing the tailgate. Mine would hang up halfway after opening, and only the pass side would latch.

[gotmike]

i actually had to adjust the hinges slightly... mine was pinching against the seal on the bottom and wouldn't close far enough to latch... and the pin was all the way out... once i adjusted the hinges i could move the pin back in and make it close nice and tight...

[DEMIGOD]

Originally Posted by Mark40

Try pushing the interior release handle down before closing the tailgate. Mine would hang up halfway after opening, and only the pass side would latch.

I backed her out as far as I could and it still pops back out to "half cocked" I guess you could say.

[DEMIGOD]

Originally Posted by Mark40

Try pushing the interior release handle down before closing the tailgate. Mine would hang up halfway after opening, and only the pass side would latch.

Gonna run out and try this real quick.

[DEMIGOD]

Still having issues with the ole girl. The rattle is nerve racking. Any other suggestions folks?

[andy d]

At the top coners of the inside of the TG, you will see a pair of phillips head screws. loosen them and adjust them 1 way or another. They are the latch arm pivots.

[DEMIGOD]

Ill give it a shot......

[FSJ Guy]

Adjust the "cones" on the body. They are on the body of the truck, on the left and right sides.

Think Madonna in her early years.

I bet they are too far out if the tailgate isn't latching on that last click.

[men in black]

Originally Posted by FSJ Guy

Think Madonna in her early years.

Hey, don't talk about a Michigan girl like that.

[DEMIGOD]

Well I took the waggy out to my Dad's for show and tell (have been doing some interior work etc) and told him of the tailgate issue. He is pretty much a Ford guy and said that he remembers old Fords having like some rubber or plastic bushings around the striker bolts. The waggy is 0 years old so id there was some there back in the day, there sure as heck aint any there now.

Anywho, I went to Discount Auto and fore 3.50 they sold a four piece set in the "HELP" section where you can buy all kind of little do-daddies etc. I put the smallest one on the striker bolt and bam...she holds true even down the bumpy limerock road.

Thanks to all that replied!!!

[jpcoutts]

Congrats on figuring it out. There's no substitute for experience. On to your next item on the list, we all know there is one!

[DEMIGOD]

Originally Posted by jpcoutts

Congrats on figuring it out. There's no substitute for experience. On to your next item on the list, we all know there is one!

Yup...switching out the radiator from my parts Waggy. Should be pretty easy.