Tailgate straps...?lol it can't be this complicated.

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Johnnymac2k6

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So when i picked up my truck after being painted, i noticed that one of the tailgate straps (drive side if it matters) was much much looser than the other one. The strap could probablystand to be almost 1/4 inch shorter. Since i had dropped 2 tailgates at the shop, both of which were actually 4th gen tailgates, i figured they grabbed one 3rd, one 4th gen strap....so i ordered 2 new ones.

The replacement part was actually advertised from 02-2018...go figured.

swap the new ones on...same deal. took tailgate off and removed a little plastic bushing on the hinge, but that just made it sloppy.

took the hinges loose, took the latches loose, stood on it, jumped on it...

even grinded down the shorter sides strap bolt, but that just resulted in binding.

Is this just a bunch on non-original parts all being 1/16 off, and then adding up to be a pain in my butt?

anyone else ever come across this dumbness? im guessing that i'd have to get a dremel out and oblong the mounting holes for the hinges or latches to get the required amount of adjustment.
 

17CrewCab1500

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All the new trucks have this. Not sure why, but it's done on purpose.
 

JB1

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My 2017 is loose till you put pressure or weight on the tailgate. I wonder if its due to the spring rod at bottom for the lift assist.
 
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Johnnymac2k6

Johnnymac2k6

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I had to take the torsion rod out of mine for it to go on my third gen....so 4th gen rams actually have the driver cable slightly loose vs the tight passenger side?
 

JB1

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My 2017 driver side cable has slack, but if you just press down a little on the gate it gets tight. I think its that rod keeping tension on it.
 
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Johnnymac2k6

Johnnymac2k6

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My father's 17 w/o tailgate assist is tight on both sides.
 
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