Thread also on body shop
Saturday I was finally able to dedicate some time and funds to the project. I was trying to keep it simple, mount the tailgate back on the frigging truck. This started with me finally installing the tailpan, into the truck with the new stainless steel bolts. This seemed to have been pretty straight forward, even level. I decided not to weld the ends of the tailpan to the body until I figured out if I had it right and the tailgate would close. After installing the hinges and the tailgate I found that the gate was shifted to the driver's side and it wouldn't close. Well not without me prying it over to the passanger side. WTF! I thought maybe it was because of the heavy weight of the gate on the tailpan( which was only supported by the body mounts and rubber pads). I worked it over and it seemed like it would work once the tailpan was more secure. OKAY! I then created some of the most nastiest welds to the tailpan and the body anyone has ever seen. ( My rental time of the generator was running out) Once welded I then tried to close the tailgate and found to my surprise THE DRIVER'S SIDE WAS NOW TIGHT AND A 1/2 INCH HIGH! It wouldn't close WTF!!!!!! With time running out I broke the driver's side weld on the tailpan and muscles the tailgate close. I think I will try two fixes, (1)loosen the hinges at the tailpan and see if they are shifted. (2) if that relieves the driver's side shift I'll weld the tailpan in place with the gate closed and in position. Wow this is more complicated that I thought.
Am I even close to the cause of the problem? I need any suggestions from the experts on this site, thanks!
Saturday I was finally able to dedicate some time and funds to the project. I was trying to keep it simple, mount the tailgate back on the frigging truck. This started with me finally installing the tailpan, into the truck with the new stainless steel bolts. This seemed to have been pretty straight forward, even level. I decided not to weld the ends of the tailpan to the body until I figured out if I had it right and the tailgate would close. After installing the hinges and the tailgate I found that the gate was shifted to the driver's side and it wouldn't close. Well not without me prying it over to the passanger side. WTF! I thought maybe it was because of the heavy weight of the gate on the tailpan( which was only supported by the body mounts and rubber pads). I worked it over and it seemed like it would work once the tailpan was more secure. OKAY! I then created some of the most nastiest welds to the tailpan and the body anyone has ever seen. ( My rental time of the generator was running out) Once welded I then tried to close the tailgate and found to my surprise THE DRIVER'S SIDE WAS NOW TIGHT AND A 1/2 INCH HIGH! It wouldn't close WTF!!!!!! With time running out I broke the driver's side weld on the tailpan and muscles the tailgate close. I think I will try two fixes, (1)loosen the hinges at the tailpan and see if they are shifted. (2) if that relieves the driver's side shift I'll weld the tailpan in place with the gate closed and in position. Wow this is more complicated that I thought.
Am I even close to the cause of the problem? I need any suggestions from the experts on this site, thanks!
