Adjustung K5 tailgate to shut correctly

[brans87]

Well other night I installed inside latch that I got from another member, Remember the bolt that turns opposite way!)
I had taken tailgate off at the body under the truck when I Raptor lined it and the driver side is not grabbing inside piece to keep it shut tight and when you pull inside handle up to unlatch it the handle rubs tailgate and will not release it. So I have to reach in and pull on rods toget it to fully open. Open to any ideas from members as I want to finish this tailgate up and few other misc items to get back to driving and using it.

 

[dyeager535]

Where is it rubbing? Is the handle not "square" with the cutout in the tailgate?

When I tore mine all apart, I noticed the two "ears" that are on the handle assembly were bent. IMO it's a weak design. I had thought about welding a piece of metal between those two ears to keep them from twisting as much, but never got to it before I had to put it back together.

It seems like once they twist, you don't get as much "throw" from the handle as you move it.

 

[brans87]

Here are a few pics might help

 

[brans87]

Driver side is not latching. Need anymore pics let me know!

 

[dyeager535]

The latches on the sides move, and they are also generally spaced from the bed with shims from the factory. Might have a couple things going with the lining I see, have you tried adjusting the latch?

The handle looks similar to mine, although not sure why it's protruding like that. If you pull up on it, look at the two curved metal pieces that attach to it, and actuate the latch mechanism. Guarantee they will be twisted at least somewhat, which is why the handle will be offset. Removing the two Phillips screws under it gets you started towards disassembly, on mine those two were a nightmare to remove. You'll see what I mean about being a weak design. Coupled with a gate that doesn't unlatch properly, recipe to bend.

 

[brans87]

yeah tried adjusting the side latches when first started. Guessing I might have to loosen gate get it to latch then tighten all up and recheck. Do this multi times (bummer) I already tried moving shims around etc on driver side with no luck.

Yeah I know those screws under handle are a real MF! and reinstall you would think w

If all I did was remove tail gate and reinstall you would think it would go smooth. I left shims in same spots and latches are just painted black no bedliner on them.

 

[dyeager535]

I'm pretty sure there is enough slop, intentional or not, on the hinges that removing the tailgate can/will lead to misalignment when shut.

How are the gaps on the tailgate when "closed"? Pretty even top and bottom, left and right? Wondering if your hinges could be adjusted a bit to help.

This is why when I swap the bodies on my truck, I'm not pulling any of the doors, front clip, tailgate, etc. off the donor truck...the factory got alignment right generally, and without spending a ton of time, getting them back where it was from the factory is normally quite difficult.