Tailgate latch adjustment help

[weeboo]

Does anyone know how to make the tailgate latch tighter, or - another way of saying it, be closer to the body when latched?

Mine has about 1/2 inch gap when latched, I can push it the rest of the way shut, but it won't latch that closely and the weatherstrip pushes it back.

The obvious problem I'm trying to fix is that the window won't roll up unless the tailgate is all the way closed.

 

[calico kid]

you can adjust the gate by loosening the screws on the tittle hook thing and moving them in a bit.

 

[cruiserbrett]

Yep, you will need to move them... however, with worn lower tailgate hinge bushings, its going to be pretty hard to get it perfect...

I actually found if I moved mine back they held the tailgate closer, since the locking mechanism is a ratchet wheel and it helped it click into a detent easier.

 

[weeboo]

When I look at the side "hooks", it really seems like they aren't adjustable at all- those v-shaped screw heads force it into a specific place when you tighten them down...

 

[Eric Ellis]

When I look at the side "hooks", it really seems like they aren't adjustable at all- those v-shaped screw heads force it into a specific place when you tighten them down...

Like the door catches the plate behind the body panel has some spacing motion available. The screw heads will not impede some adjustment. But you are not going to get a half inch.



"with worn lower tailgate hinge bushings"--anyone found a source of these?

 

[inkpot]

When I look at the side "hooks", it really seems like they aren't adjustable at all- those v-shaped screw heads force it into a specific place when you tighten them down...

Howdy! IIRC, there are slots in the body metal to allow for adjustment. The screws go thru the body into a floating block on the back of the body. Just loosen the screws a bit and tap the latch lightly. It should move pretty easy. John