Anyone else have trouble with their aftermarket tailgate not fitting?

[scottv]

I bought a new aftermarket tailgate, latches, basically all tailgate related items and went to install all of it and the tailgate won't shut. Basically when i close the gate, the latches won't go in far enough to "catch" the piece mounted to the bed. I loosened and adjusted everything to where it would have the best chance of catching and it's still off. I mean it looks like I could "dremel" out some of the latch metal to make it catch-is this my only option? Have others experienced this? The gate was made in Taiwan, I think most of the parts are Woodall if that means anything.

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by scottv

I bought a new aftermarket tailgate, latches, basically all tailgate related items and went to install all of it and the tailgate won't shut. Basically when i close the gate, the latches won't go in far enough to "catch" the piece mounted to the bed. I loosened and adjusted everything to where it would have the best chance of catching and it's still off. I mean it looks like I could "dremel" out some of the latch metal to make it catch-is this my only option? Have others experienced this? The gate was made in Taiwan, I think most of the parts are Woodall if that means anything.

Woodall parts are some of the best you can buy from what I have heard and read. I haven't purchased any repo tailgates. A couple of pictures of the latches and strikers would help us to see if there are any obvious problems. Have you tried closing it with the rubber bumpers removed from the bed opening? If you do that just close it slowly.

LockDoc

[71_jimmy]

I am having this same problem. Did yall find any fixes to this?

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Too late for a refund?

[scottv]

Ok, I'll try to explain this best I can without pictures. My issue was the springy latch on the tailgate wasn't getting far enough in when closing to "catch" into the hole of the piece secured to the inside of the bed sides. if that makes sense. I basically had to dremel out some of the tailgate so that I could move the spring latch back enough so it would catch. Works great now. If you look at how the catch is supposed to work and see if any metal is preventing you moving the latches where they need to be to intersect, then you can remove metal as needed to tweak. Hope this helps.

[chiefcfd]

There are adjustments on the hinges. Also the latch can be moved some in the tailgate. It is best to start with the latch moved all the way out and left slightly loose. Then when you close the tailgate check the gaps and move the tailgate in and out to get them even with the bedside.

[merlin3]

i had problems adjusting mine also [LMC parts] i tried for 4 days,i narrowed it down to the handle causing all the problems.i never got it to fit right with their hardware.