Tailgate adjustments

[Modemagic]

Hey everyone.. this is my first post here since I just bought a '93 XLT needing some TLC. On my '93, it appears that the tailgate is out of alignment. It was twisted towards the drivers side enough to where the latches on the passenger side wouldn't catch properly and bind it up. I loosened the 8mm bolts that fasten the tailgate to the hinges and pulled the tailgate back into alignment, no problem. The problem is, is that the entire tailgate in the closed position is about 1/4 to high. Is there an adjustment for the tailgate to raise/lower it in the closed position?

 

[bubbatruck78]

I think you have to adjust the lift/ tail gate while open. Try this , take a nail and trace the bolts and adjust alittle at a time it is just like adjusting a hood an open and shut thing and alittle at atime. I'll check on my brothers explorer if there is an easier way. But from a body man's out look I think you'll just have to adjust alittle at a time. Make sure the lift gateisn't bowwed or that the hinges aren't bent if the truck was ever in a rear collision that could be the case.

 

[MONMIX]

There really is not much up and down adjustment.
The 8mm on the life gate will do the in and out but they also will a slight bit of up and down due to the fact they are on an bit angle.
On a side note it is MUCH easier to do gate and door adjustments with the striker out.
You adjust the striker to the door not the door to the striker.

 

[Modemagic]

I tried opening the tailgate and making adjustments which is how I got it squared back up. The striker bolts don't move and the latches for the strikers don't adjust either. The entire tailgate is 1/4 higher than the rest of the truck.