Tailgate alignment

[GrimLock]

Morning all,

The top of my tailgate pushes out a bit on the top on both sides. I have adjusted the striker with no change. I have replaced the WX stripping on the tailgate so I was wondering if it was that but my thoughts are that if it was the new WX stripping, it would be pushing out on the bottom. There is no evidence that the previous owner had a tire that was too big for the gate as there is no lift or trimming on the tub for larger tires. Any thoughts on fixing this?

 

[DaveC]

How hard is the spare pressing against that bottom snubber? Try playing with the torque on the spare to see if that provides some relief, find the sweet spot, then torque down in small increments until secure/firmly against the snubber.

 

[primetime4]

That actually does not look too bad to me. I’ve owned my 01 since new with the stock tire on it for 20 years and it looks similar. I think it’s just the laws of gravity doing its thing when anything heavy is hanging back there.

 

[GrimLock]

That actually does not look too bad to me. I’ve owned my 01 since new with the stock tire on it for 20 years and it looks similar. I think it’s just the laws of gravity doing its thing when anything heavy is hanging back there.

Thanks, I messed with the tailgate for a little bit today and finally decided that I didn't care, lol. Does your back glass leak too? I've replaced all the WX stripping on the hard top, the bottom of the glass, and the gate. It still gets a little wet back there. More so when I run it through the car wash. Just a normal thing?

 

[primetime4]

Thanks, I messed with the tailgate for a little bit today and finally decided that I didn't care, lol. Does your back glass leak too? I've replaced all the WX stripping on the hard top, the bottom of the glass, and the gate. It still gets a little wet back there. More so when I run it through the car wash. Just a normal thing?

I have a soft top which can stretch and deform a bit more so it’s a little more flexible when it comes to keeping water out. It also hasn’t gotten wet in 5 years so who knows. It definitely leaked in places if parked outside especially around the front passenger side from the windshield seam. A little water inside is unavoidable I think at this point as long as your not getting puddles.

 

[LONGJP2]

Morning all,

Any thoughts on fixing this?

How much play is in your hinges?
To check; remove the spare, swing out the tailgate, and lift up.

 

[GrimLock]

How much play is in your hinges?
To check; remove the spare, swing out the tailgate, and lift up.

There is no play at all, that I could tell.