Easy FIX: Annoying Tailgate Cable

[Markuson]

I think your thread has caught on in Denver because the whole wall of magnets was fully stocked the local Home Depot...except the magnets you mentioned I ended up with the slightly larger .7" ones which are working great!

View attachment 1378860

Ha! Awesome!
Bigger magnets just work even better...so no worries either way.

 

[Sandroad]

I'm curious how many of you added the magnet and how yours faired.

My small magnet has stayed in place so far, but I discovered a bit larger magnet on Amazon that nicely sits slightly higher than a screw or rivet in nearly the same spot...and there is no way it will ever vibrate loose. Also a stronger pull...so no way that cable will escape.

Anyone?

I added the 0.5 size from HD and they working great. This was by far the most challenging mod I've done to an LC. It took me many hours to do the complex install steps. It was a job for sure. But seriously, they have worked perfectly. Thanks for the tip.

 

[KLF]

FYI... if you are ever scrapping a computer hard drive (never give one away that is still usable!), you can harvest a super-strong magnet for free that works great for this application. I scrap out a couple dozen drives a year at work, so sometimes I'll pop them open and grab the magnet, you only need a very small Torx bit, sometimes a small flat screwdriver. I keep a few stuck to my toolbox for various projects, I put them inside axles if I'm installing a 3rd member.

And I just realized I seem to be missing some fasteners on my bumper cover...

 

[Docboy]

Don't mean to hijack the thread, but since OP and KLF mentioned the hard drive, I took apart an old bad sector ridden Western Digital hard drive. Took out 2 magnets after unscrewing like 30 tiny Torx screws, and the magnets are very strong (almost got my finger stuck between the 2 magnets) and good sized. I'll be using these magnets to contain the tailgate cable that's getting caught by the rear tailgate

 

[KLF]

Yes, you have to be very careful with those magnets! If you let them snap together, they can shatter, throwing tiny shards of metal everywhere. They are stronger than you think!

 

[Markuson]

Yes, you have to be very careful with those magnets! If you let them snap together, they can shatter, throwing tiny shards of metal everywhere. They are stronger than you think!

Usually you end up with shards stuck to the other pieces of magnet...that are NOT easy to separate. Crazy stuff! It's always fascinating to me how the pieces create poles that absolutely prevent the broken pieces from fitting back together...since they now REPEL AWAY from the magnet piece they were attached to only moments before.

I have a very large magnet made from the same material, and it is SO strong that you literally cannot pull it off of certain metals without help, or a leverage device. Nature is bizarre sometimes, and these magnets are pretty astounding when large.

 

[Docboy]

Usually you end up with shards stuck to the other pieces of magnet...that are NOT easy to separate. Crazy stuff! It's always fascinating to me how the pieces create poles that absolutely prevent the broken pieces from fitting back together...since they now REPEL AWAY from the magnet piece they were attached to only moments before.

I have a very large magnet made from the same material, and it is SO strong that you literally cannot pull it off of certain metals without help, or a leverage device. Nature is bizarre sometimes, and these magnets are pretty astounding when large.

Odd how HDs are supposed to be treated with delicacy, and now thanks to this site, there is good reason to destroy them... the magnets!

Mark, I'm curious if you place your large magnet outside on high ground, would it distract birds' flight path?

 

[Markuson]

Odd how HDs are supposed to be treated with delicacy, and now thanks to this site, there is good reason to destroy them... the magnets!

Mark, I'm curious if you place your large magnet outside on high ground, would it distract birds' flight path?

Heehee... I suppose it's possible since we know small magnets mounted on homing pigeons lead to lost birds in controlled experiments.

I know a science teacher who literally had a similarly large, strong magnet pass too close to his flat-screen TV...and something behind the screen attracted it (not sure what...possibly a mounting assembly). I'm talking SERIOUSLY large... 2"x2"x4" magnet. -It literally flew out of his hand as he passed, and smashed THROUGH the flat panel on its way to the attraction. Nuts! I've had even smaller units cut my finger snapping up to smash together... Not something you wanna hand to kids... Some have attraction force over 1000 pounds with certain materials...

 

[Sinister]

Worked like a charm, thank you

 

[JOFS]

Awesome fix. This was annoying me and just took care of it on both trucks.

Thanks MUD

 

[dwai]

the magnets I got kept rusting and flaking. are there any weather proof ones?

 

[Markuson]

the magnets I got kept rusting and flaking. are there any weather proof ones?

There are a zillion offerings for rare earth magnets.
Amazon is literally overflowing with them.
If you found some with a poor coating, I’d just try another brand.

Make sure they son’t Slam together as they will break each other due to massive strength of their magnetic fields. If you put them on your tailgate intact (no breaks in the coating) you should be good.

Look up neodymium magnets on Amazon. Look for about 25mm x 3mm...

 

[finlayforprez]

This is amazing! I noticed sometimes the cord does show a little bit, so this is perfect timing. I'm getting those magnets today as a preventative measure. Thank you!!!

 

[RyanR]

Very cool! My cord hangs out on both sides every time. Hasn't been enough to prompt me to do anything about it but after reading this I will take care of it today. I have a huge assortment of magnets on hand, well because magnets are awesome.

 

[fj80psi]

Thank You!! Genius solution Markuson.

 

[Markuson]

Updating with a link to super-strong magnets since links get old and die.

Here is a link... Or simply search Amazon for “rare earth magnets” and you’ll have massive choice.

Applied Magnets Neodymium Rare Earth Magnet 1.26 x 1/8" Disc Magnet 10pc Set With Red Dot on North Pole Amazon product ASIN B01MSTKTSF

 

[PhuckItImDone]

Mine started doing this right around Halloween, and this is superb. Thank you.

 

[Markuson]

Funny & fun to recently learn that my little magnet trick caught on a ross Australia —which is kinda like LC Heaven.

PS. Merry Christmas to all… ️️

 

[trudd]

Funny & fun to recently learn that my little magnet trick caught on a ross Australia —which is kinda like LC Heaven.

PS. Merry Christmas to all… ️️

Glad you bubbled this up! Third cruiser in, and I’ve just started experiencing this problem.

 

[Docwyte]

Checked online, my local Home Depot said they have 10 of these in stock. Sweet! Jump in the 200, drive over there, find where they ought to be and none to be found.

And local retailers wonder why everyone just orders everything from Amazon...