• Welcome Visitor! Please take a few seconds and Register for our forum. Even if you don't want to post, you can still 'Like' and react to posts.

Tailgate as a sawhorse?


sgtsandman

Aircraft Fuel Tank Diver
TRS Forum Moderator
U.S. Military - Active
TRS 20th Anniversary
TRS Event Participant
Ham Radio Operator
GMRS Radio License
Joined
Mar 11, 2017
Messages
12,861
Reaction score
12,651
Points
113
Location
Aliquippa, PA
Vehicle Year
2011/2019
Make / Model
Ranger XLT/FX4
Engine Size
4.0 SOHC/2.3 Ecoboost
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
Pre-2008 lift/Stock
Tire Size
31X10.5R15/265/65R17
I’ve used mine as a work surface from time to time. Isn’t that part of the reason it’s there?
 


sgtsandman

Aircraft Fuel Tank Diver
TRS Forum Moderator
U.S. Military - Active
TRS 20th Anniversary
TRS Event Participant
Ham Radio Operator
GMRS Radio License
Joined
Mar 11, 2017
Messages
12,861
Reaction score
12,651
Points
113
Location
Aliquippa, PA
Vehicle Year
2011/2019
Make / Model
Ranger XLT/FX4
Engine Size
4.0 SOHC/2.3 Ecoboost
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
Pre-2008 lift/Stock
Tire Size
31X10.5R15/265/65R17
Yea, a swing gate is absolutely useless. Even a full lift gate like on the ford edge is more useful. You can at least sit under it in the rain or get some shade.
They should have done like Honda did with the Ridgeline and a few other vehicles. Make it so it can be a tailgate and a swing gate. There are times it would be nice to just swing it out of the way and time it would be nice to lay it flat. That feature would have been real nice on the CR-V.
 

Dirtman

Former Middleweight Moss Fighting Champion
Joined
May 28, 2018
Messages
19,304
Reaction score
13,326
Points
113
Location
41N 75W
Vehicle Year
2009
Engine Type
2.3 (4 Cylinder)
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Total Lift
It's up there.
Total Drop
It's down there.
Tire Size
Round.
My credo
I poop in the furnace.
The more fancy you make a tailgate the heavier it is... im happy with the old school design. Two chains with hooks for a tailgate latch that doubles as the support.
 

sgtsandman

Aircraft Fuel Tank Diver
TRS Forum Moderator
U.S. Military - Active
TRS 20th Anniversary
TRS Event Participant
Ham Radio Operator
GMRS Radio License
Joined
Mar 11, 2017
Messages
12,861
Reaction score
12,651
Points
113
Location
Aliquippa, PA
Vehicle Year
2011/2019
Make / Model
Ranger XLT/FX4
Engine Size
4.0 SOHC/2.3 Ecoboost
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
Pre-2008 lift/Stock
Tire Size
31X10.5R15/265/65R17
Are you one of those guys that is on the tailgate assist band wagon? TFL does that and I find it a bit irritating.
 

Dirtman

Former Middleweight Moss Fighting Champion
Joined
May 28, 2018
Messages
19,304
Reaction score
13,326
Points
113
Location
41N 75W
Vehicle Year
2009
Engine Type
2.3 (4 Cylinder)
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Total Lift
It's up there.
Total Drop
It's down there.
Tire Size
Round.
My credo
I poop in the furnace.
A tailgate assist doesn't add weight to the tailgate at least... just stops it from slamming.
 

Bgunner

Well-Known Member
Supporting Member
Joined
May 14, 2018
Messages
1,780
Reaction score
1,085
Points
113
Location
Western Mass.
Vehicle Year
1994
Make / Model
Ford/Ranger XLT
Engine Type
3.0 V6
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Tire Size
225/70/R15
My credo
If it's not broken Don't Fix It!
Since I moved I have used my tail gate as my main work space since I no longer have a shed. I've cut wood , angle iron, used it as a bench for drilling and light hammering, a seat, counter to gut fish and those hold my beer moments.

While I like the idea of the F150s new gate design I'm sure my use of it would kill doors that they use to cover the pencil holders. Having a pockets for a clamp I really can get behind though.
 

19Walt93

Well-Known Member
Ford Technician
V8 Engine Swap
Joined
Nov 13, 2018
Messages
4,515
Reaction score
4,467
Points
113
Location
Canaan,NH
Vehicle Year
1993
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
351
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Total Drop
3"
Tire Size
235/55R16
My credo
If you don't have time to do it right will you have time to do it over?
They should have done like Honda did with the Ridgeline and a few other vehicles. Make it so it can be a tailgate and a swing gate. There are times it would be nice to just swing it out of the way and time it would be nice to lay it flat. That feature would have been real nice on the CR-V.
Honda didn't invent that, Ford wagons had 2 way tailgates in the 60's. Subaru didn't invent the hill holder, either, Studebaker had it in the 50's. See the pattern?
 

sgtsandman

Aircraft Fuel Tank Diver
TRS Forum Moderator
U.S. Military - Active
TRS 20th Anniversary
TRS Event Participant
Ham Radio Operator
GMRS Radio License
Joined
Mar 11, 2017
Messages
12,861
Reaction score
12,651
Points
113
Location
Aliquippa, PA
Vehicle Year
2011/2019
Make / Model
Ranger XLT/FX4
Engine Size
4.0 SOHC/2.3 Ecoboost
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
Pre-2008 lift/Stock
Tire Size
31X10.5R15/265/65R17
Honda didn't invent that, Ford wagons had 2 way tailgates in the 60's. Subaru didn't invent the hill holder, either, Studebaker had it in the 50's. See the pattern?
I was just using it as an example. We had a Pontiac station wagon in the 70s with a tailgate like that.

The Japanese aren’t known for their ability to innovate. Make it better or better mass market an idea, yep. Innovate, nope.
 

JohnnyO

Moderator Emeritus
Supporting Member
Forum Staff - Retired
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Jan 6, 2002
Messages
6,330
Reaction score
2,840
Points
113
Location
Pittsburgh, PA
Vehicle Year
2020
Make / Model
Ranger
Engine Type
2.3 EcoBoost
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
1.5"
Tire Size
265/70-17
My credo
"220, 221, whatever it takes."
Oh yeah.
 

Ramcharger90

Well-Known Member
Article Contributor
V8 Engine Swap
Joined
Feb 11, 2019
Messages
2,953
Reaction score
1,708
Points
113
Location
N/A na
Vehicle Year
1990
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
306, Bcam,
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
2WD
We goto a drive inn. Gratz Pa skyvu drive inn, We normally lay blankets down in the bed and use a Ryobi radio. The tail gate in the Ram works good for containing the kid in the bed when he get restless, We just have to put chairs in the bed since the gate is high.

 

ericbphoto

Overlander in development
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Supporting Member
U.S. Military - Veteran
TRS 20th Anniversary
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
GMRS Radio License
Joined
Feb 7, 2016
Messages
15,336
Reaction score
16,598
Points
113
Age
59
Location
Wellford, SC
Vehicle Year
1993
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
3.0 V6
Engine Size
3.0L
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
6"
Tire Size
35"
My credo
In theory, theory and practice are the same. In practice, they are different.
You do know your Ranger was sitting in the driveway crying its heart out because you took the Dud that weekend, right?
Yes. Ranger was safe and snug in the garage. She needs a little tlc on the steering linkage. Will do that soon. My Ranger’s tailgate is almost at bar table height.
 

19Walt93

Well-Known Member
Ford Technician
V8 Engine Swap
Joined
Nov 13, 2018
Messages
4,515
Reaction score
4,467
Points
113
Location
Canaan,NH
Vehicle Year
1993
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
351
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Total Drop
3"
Tire Size
235/55R16
My credo
If you don't have time to do it right will you have time to do it over?
I was just using it as an example. We had a Pontiac station wagon in the 70s with a tailgate like that.

The Japanese aren’t known for their ability to innovate. Make it better or better mass market an idea, yep. Innovate, nope.
Rip off and improve someone else's design and sell it as their own, you mean. Intellectual property theft pretty well describes it. The early Toyota Land Cruisers' engine was such a close copy of the 50's Chevy six that you could bolt a Chevy to their bell housing.
 

19Walt93

Well-Known Member
Ford Technician
V8 Engine Swap
Joined
Nov 13, 2018
Messages
4,515
Reaction score
4,467
Points
113
Location
Canaan,NH
Vehicle Year
1993
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
351
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Total Drop
3"
Tire Size
235/55R16
My credo
If you don't have time to do it right will you have time to do it over?
On another note, the tech who had a vise on his tailgate also had a bumper sticker that said"If you disapprove of logging try using plastic toilet paper."
I've seen gates with 1/4" plate steel bolted to them for use as a work bench, the guy who pulls the handle without looking gets a surprise when the gate comes down.
 

Uncle Gump

Token Old Guy
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Supporting Member
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Sep 17, 2018
Messages
13,971
Reaction score
13,462
Points
113
Location
Ottawa IL
Vehicle Year
2006/1986
Make / Model
Ranger/BroncoII
Engine Size
4.0L SOHC/2.9L
2WD / 4WD
4WD
My credo
Lead follow or get out of my way
Rip off and improve someone else's design and sell it as their own, you mean. Intellectual property theft pretty well describes it. The early Toyota Land Cruisers' engine was such a close copy of the 50's Chevy six that you could bolt a Chevy to their bell housing.
Seems we give them that technology after we nuked their country a couple times as a good faith effort to get them back on track. Then they started beating us at our own game.
 

Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Staff online

Member & Vendor Upgrades

For a small yearly donation, you can support this forum and receive a 'Supporting Member' banner, or become a 'Supporting Vendor' and promote your products here. Click the banner to find out how.

Truck of The Month


Shran
April Truck of The Month

Recently Featured

Want to see your truck here? Share your photos and details in the forum.

Follow TRS On Instagram

TRS Events

25th Anniversary Sponsors

Check Out The TRS Store


Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Sponsored Ad


Amazon Deals

Top