Tailgate dents from dropping too hard?

[CStraface]

Has anyone else experienced long skinny dents on the sides of their tailgate? My girlfriend wasn't prepared for the weight of the tailgate and decided to let it drop hard. I noticed a few days later that I had skinny long dents on the right and left side of the tailgate. Has anyone else experienced this? If so, any solutions?



I have seen other 3rd gens with identical dents.

 

[sag2]

Is there an inside out dimple? Is the outside skin welded/bonded to the side frame?

 

[JFlagg]

Mine has those, but its from the cables breaking with a bed full of plywood and shingles. I don't think you could actually touch the bumper with the cables connected. I've let mine drop hard before, but the tailgate still sits and inch or two above the bumper, those cables can't stretch that much.

 

[CStraface]

So the dents are from the cables? I guess I wasn't saying that the tailgate was actually hitting the bumper, but that there is something that buckles when the tailgate is opened hard. Is it from the tension those cables create when tightening to stop the tailgate?

 

[Triton]

here's just what you need. It was one of the first things I installed on my truck and man is it sweet !

http://www.genosgarage.com/prodinfo.asp?number=EZ_DOWN

Geno's also sell another that will assist the tailgate up and down. It's a cable system that mount along the bed rail.

http://www.genosgarage.com/prodinfo.asp?number=GATEGLIDE

 

[CStraface]

Too bad my tailgate is already dented! That would have been great a few months ago.

 

[MR.K]

I installed one of those shock things from Genos ... they work great...

 

[CStraface]

I like DC should install them on our trucks stock.

 

[KPerry]

I installed one also,Works great

 

[JHardwick]

My tailgate has hit my bumper ... ... ..... did it at less than 10,000 miles. The dealer realigned the bumper mounting.

 

[CStraface]

My tailgate has hit my bumper ... ... ..... did it at less than 10,000 miles. The dealer realigned the bumper mounting.

Did it dent your tailgate?

 

[JHardwick]

Did it dent your tailgate?

I wouldn't say that it dented it, but if you look close, the paint is rubbed too deep for detailing.

 

[JVantreese]

Check out Geno's gate glide. This spring loaded tube allows you to open and close your tailbage with one finger. A great solution for the those with limited muscle power or torn rotator cuffs. I can open the gate half way and let go. The gate just sits theire until I give it a gentle shove up or down. The tube can be mounted on either side and is below the rail so it does not interfear with a topper.

 

[steved]

Mine is dented... it is from the internal brackets the cables are mounted on distorting... my entire gate is "soft" and spongy when you walk on it... more thin sheet metal...

I simply dropped a couple "bankers boxes" full of paper on mine to cause the "dents"... they are definately nowhere near as strong as my 99's gate was. I know I set 1300 pounds on my 99's gate several times and it never looked like it had been used. I'd be scared to put more than 500 pounds on my 04's gate.

steved

 

[steved]

Here's mine...

 

[twmcneilly]

I dropped mine one time when loaded up with sheet rock and snapped obth cables instantly. I did leave a very slight where it contacted the pad on the bumper.



Anyone have experience with this device? http://www.truckcustomizers.com/products/K5HOPTB.1.html

I like the idea of a torison spring that is out of the way all of the time. The cabel systems just look like a kluge and the gas strut does nothing for lift assist.

 

[Grizzly]

here's just what you need. It was one of the first things I installed on my truck and man is it sweet !



http://www.genosgarage.com/prodinfo.asp?number=EZ_DOWN



Geno's also sell another that will assist the tailgate up and down. It's a cable system that mount along the bed rail.



http://www.genosgarage.com/prodinfo.asp?number=GATEGLIDE

Thanks for the tip, I'm going to order one.

 

[DZink24]

Mine has those, but its from the cables breaking with a bed full of plywood and shingles. I don't think you could actually touch the bumper with the cables connected. I've let mine drop hard before, but the tailgate still sits and inch or two above the bumper, those cables can't stretch that much.

The 2G trucks had between 1-2" of clearance between the bumper and gate when it was lowered. I remember a few times on my '98 I got lucky when I forgot to take my keys off the plastic step, and dropped the gate to load fishin poles, no damage. I would not be so lucky with my '04, there is actually less than 1/8th" of clearance when the gate is down. In fact, when I stand on the gate when down, "HEAVY DUTY" touches the plastic, and does show a little bit of wear.



3G owners beware- Do not leave wrenches, screwdrivers, sockets, ect. on your bumper unless you want dimples in your gate!!

 

[bcpalmer]

I have one of the Tailgate EasyLift Torsion Bars on my truck and it works very well. It is one of those items that should be standard on our trucks.

 

[Nate]

My tailgate touches the bumper when I lower it. No way there's 1-2" of clearance!! Good thing there's that plastic piece or it would be dented.

The 2G trucks had between 1-2" of clearance between the bumper and gate when it was lowered. I remember a few times on my '98 I got lucky when I forgot to take my keys off the plastic step, and dropped the gate to load fishin poles, no damage. I would not be so lucky with my '04, there is actually less than 1/8th" of clearance when the gate is down. In fact, when I stand on the gate when down, "HEAVY DUTY" touches the plastic, and does show a little bit of wear.



3G owners beware- Do not leave wrenches, screwdrivers, sockets, ect. on your bumper unless you want dimples in your gate!!