tailgate strap lengths

[Angie]

On the tailgate of my build, i want to shorten the tailgate straps by an inch and a half or so. Don't want anyone sitting on it when it is open and also having a bit of an angle will give it a distinctive look at car shows, plus it will eliminate the chance of rubbing on the bottom where the roll pan is.

has anyone easily shorten their strap or know of a different truck's strap that will slip into place with or without some modifications. (IE, drilling the holes larger...)

thanks

... or know where i can get the 4 fittings that are raw without the cables and i can make my own? thanks

 

[Mark_88]

If they are like the ones on my 88 they are just bolted on. You can fabricate some to your desired length using a couple of body washers and weld on whatever length of cable you want. You could even cut the existing ones and splice in a small joiner...or fab up one or the other end.

I thought about making my own when I couldn't find the ones I wanted but I went to a junkyard and found a few that had recently been installed. I wanted to remove one end and put on a protective covering to help keep the rust out but since I didn't have easy access to a welder I just cleaned the old ones up at first.

But, then again, my truck wasn't going to be displayed in public like yours will so I can understand your desire to have something that looks as good as the rest of the truck...

 

[Curious Hound]

Another idea might be to just cut a length of 1/8" or 3/16" flat bar and drill a hole in each end big enough so it will slip over the bolts on the tailgate and fender wall. Open tailgate, slip bar in place, all good. Paint it to match the truck. It would be clean and simple.

If I recall, really old trucks had 2-piece tailgate holders made of flat bars hinged in the middle by a big rivet. Biggest problem is th at they probably rattled while driving. The modern plastic coated cables are quiet.

Eric B

 

[saskbill]

Another idea might be to just cut a length of 1/8" or 3/16" flat bar and drill a hole in each end big enough so it will slip over the bolts on the tailgate and fender wall. Open tailgate, slip bar in place, all good. Paint it to match the truck. It would be clean and simple...

Eric B

Interesting concept. Thes guys don't seem to make an 'old Ranger' version (yet), but it is a nice clean idea, and you can still keep the cables...

https://www.dgmtailgatesupport.com/gallery/tailgate-product-photos/

These guys are a little fancier (again no Ranger-specific model):

https://www.tailgateadjuster.com/products/chevrolet-gmc-ford-dodge

 

[Curious Hound]

Those ratcheting things look cool. A bit pricey and I didn't see any for Rangers. Maybe the F150 models would work.

 

[Mark_88]

Another idea might be to just cut a length of 1/8" or 3/16" flat bar and drill a hole in each end big enough so it will slip over the bolts on the tailgate and fender wall. Open tailgate, slip bar in place, all good. Paint it to match the truck. It would be clean and simple.

If I recall, really old trucks had 2-piece tailgate holders made of flat bars hinged in the middle by a big rivet. Biggest problem is th at they probably rattled while driving. The modern plastic coated cables are quiet.

Eric B

that sounds interesting...

Interesting concept. Thes guys don't seem to make an 'old Ranger' version (yet), but it is a nice clean idea, and you can still keep the cables...

https://www.dgmtailgatesupport.com/gallery/tailgate-product-photos/

These guys are a little fancier (again no Ranger-specific model):

https://www.tailgateadjuster.com/products/chevrolet-gmc-ford-dodge

I like the yellow ones...looks like they would work with a Ranger...my computer is giving me fits when I try to zoom in on images so I can't get a closeup of them...but for a show truck that you want to leave the tailgate in a fixed position both these ideas would work...

 

[Angie]

thanks for the web pages of ideas... interesting however, not really what i was after... a bit pricey alright.

mark, i was thinking of the same thing with some metal and attempt to build a set.... was looking to see if there was a simple way to get a set that would work or be close with small mods needed... will look into washers first and see what can be done.

eric, yes i did think of that also with the 2 flat bars, then wasn't sure if it would work or not...

talked to the mechanic at work yesterday and he was aying that it might be possible to alter a set of new replacements. told me to brig in 1 of the old ones to see how it is made and if there is a way to cut it open and then reseal with brazing it...

thanks guys, and will up date this as i go.

 

[adsm08]

You could also try making your own with a cable stop type setup.

Cut an end off, get all the old cabling out of it, then drill and tap a hole, cut your cable to length, stick it in, then put in a stop screw.