68 c10 tailgate question....

[WinDancer]

I am just finishing up my years-long build on my 68 C10 SW Stepper.
When we painted my truck [John Deere Blitz black] we took the bed completely off the truck and removed every nut, bolt, panel and screw.
After paint we put everything back together and I decided to change the closers over to the seat belt latches.
Got them ready to go on this last weekend and used double sided carpet tape on the backs to hold them in alignment.
Went out to the truck and found that the tailgate did not fit properly. I have had the truck many years and the tailgate always fit just fine.
The tops of the bed rails are too far apart. There is also some slop side to side, maybe a half inch or so.
The only parts that were changed are the bottom pivot bolts/bearings and new wood in the bed.
When I found myself with a strap tie-down in my hands I closed the truck shop door and came inside.

Anyone ever have this problem? What do I do to correct the fit? Hands-on experience only, please

Huge thanks for any help!
Dave

[GR8-68]

Pictures would greatly help us to see exactly but it sounds like you need to loosen the bolts on the rear cross sill and pull in the top, you could probably leave the ratchet strap on and use it to pull the top in until you get the correct margin. This is assuming the bottom is correct, also know that the sides are normally welded to the rear cross sill once you achieve proper adjustments, this is probably so to keep the sides from pressuring out like what has happened to your bed. Hope this helps and try to post a few pics of the issue.

[GTORobo]

There is a video on Power Nation Truck Tech show that shows that exact issue with the tailgate fitment. It is even on a c10 they are working on.

[WinDancer]

I read for about an hour here and elsewhere.

I should have made sure the bed was square and plumb before tightening everything up.

I will take the rear support rail loose and see if that will help with the alignment. Dumb A$$, me.

The bottom is too wide, too.

Could not find the tailgate show on their website.

Thanks for the help.

Anxious to get the very last little things done. Truck has pretty much kicked my butt for the last couple years. Looking forward to finishing up

Dave

[GTORobo]

Here is the link for the 71 c10 bed replacement. It is in the 2016 eposodes. hope this helps.

https://www.powernationtv.com/episod...r-bed-assembly