Sealing Around Tailgate

[85_Ranger4x4]

Trying to cut down on the dust storm back there so I don't dust my bed on the Vagabond trip, any tips or pointers for sealing around the tailgate?

 

[Curious Hound]

Trying to cut down on the dust storm back there so I don't dust my bed on the Vagabond trip, any tips or pointers for sealing around the tailgate?

Mine is literally made of expanded metal. I have no practical advice in this matter except "embrace the dust".

If you want smart-a** answers, let me know. I've got a few.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Mine is literally made of expanded metal. I have no practical advice in this matter except "embrace the dust"
.

That has been my mantra since I got the topper in 2009... it gets pretty thick back there. Exhaust stink too.

 

[01WHTRNGR]

I bought a roll of weatherstripping I've been planning to use. On my buddy's '98 ranger he has some thin rubber pieces that are bolted onto the bedside by the tailgate to seal it. I'm not sure if that was ever a factory accessory, but they look good.

 

[Uncle Gump]

My 06 has some factory rubber down the sides... nothing across the bottom.

I don't get much dust... but I also do a lot of dirt road driving.

 

[RobbieD]

I've never actually tried to seal the gate on one of my own trucks, but I would consider trying this.

Self-adhesive weather stripping, closed cell type that hardware stores carry in several sizes. I think that the thin gray would work vertically, yellow lines in the pic below, and a strip of thicker foam across the bottom; the red line:

These are the kind of self-adhesive foam tapes I'm thinking of:


Thin

And thick:

The rear lift door on your truck topper should have a rubber strip to overlap the tail gate, sealing the top of the gate.

I think it would work OK, should be easy to apply and it shouldn't cost that much. When it's not needed or wanted, it'll be easy to remove and won't leave any permanent alterations like holes.

 

[sgtsandman]

My 2011 has some rubber flaps that run along the sides of the bed that are just held in with 3 or 4 "christmas tree" fasteners. There is nothing special about them. They maybe 2" X 1/8" thick an run most of the length of the bed side with about a 1" gap at the top. They seem to do pretty well.

One of those tailgate gap fillers from amazon might not hurt either.

 

[RobbieD]

Seems like my '94 had some kind of rubber flaps for the gate sides, but I don't recall seeing anything factory-installed on the first generation trucks.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

My 2011 has some rubber flaps that run along the sides of the bed that are just held in with 3 or 4 "christmas tree" fasteners. There is nothing special about them. They maybe 2" X 1/8" thick an run most of the length of the bed side with about a 1" gap at the top. They seem to do pretty well.

One of those tailgate gap fillers from amazon might not hurt either.

I really like the idea of the gap guard, I didn't know there was such a thing.

 

[Bgunner]

Please excuse the tailgate being used as a work bench:

As you look at where the tailgate latches, right behind it is a rubber flap held in with 4 christmas tree holders. IF you can find these this would be the route I would try first. This seals the sides of the gate on my '94. This with a foam strip for the bottom should do the trick for you to help keep the dust out.

 

[sgtsandman]

The side strips on the 2011 are the same as what is in Bgunner's photo.

 

[SenorNoob]

Might looks at some door sweeps... Seems they'd be easy enough to cut to size and mount inside the bed.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

One thing that concerns me about just a gasket at the bottom... the lower rib of my tailgate isn't exactly minty fresh anymore. But above that the tailgate is so irregular I don't know if that big rubber strip will work either. I have a spare tailgate I need to look at again.



This is the dirt situation I am dealing with, this is since the trail ride last fall so its been awhile since I have cleaned it... but the truck sat most of the winter too.

 

[sgtsandman]

One thing that concerns me about just a gasket at the bottom... the lower rib of my tailgate isn't exactly minty fresh anymore. But above that the tailgate is so irregular I don't know if that big rubber strip will work either. I have a spare tailgate I need to look at again.



This is the dirt situation I am dealing with, this is since the trail ride last fall so its been awhile since I have cleaned it... but the truck sat most of the winter too.

Something like this might work instead of the type the fill the gap:

Amazon.com: ISSYAUTO 67" x 4.3" Rubber Truck Tailgate Seal Pickup Tailgate Gap Cover, with Roller Tool : Automotive

Buy ISSYAUTO 67" x 4.3" Rubber Truck Tailgate Seal Pickup Tailgate Gap Cover, with Roller Tool: Tailgate Seals - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

 

[scotts90ranger]

I third the factory flap deals, I'll post a better pic than above later (I'll go take it now but won't post til later...) they're simple and work good. The bottom gap might be harder but a piece of pool noodle attached at the bottom rear of the bed under the tailgate might just cause enough of a restriction to stop it...