This is one of those things that could be a simple fix if tolerance specs were checked and enforced, but nobody wants to sign off on shutting down the line. Two steps might save grief down the road, or one kludge. a)calculate where attachment point should be to put lip of tailgate even with bed...
Thank you for posting the video. I will have to check fitting sizes, but it looks like a stout 1/2" breaker bar with a 1/2" impact socket from a local pawn shop might come in handy. A hundred forty-eight foot pounds of torque are going to put up a fight. At least they spec the spare tire valve...
I can remember the old chain and hook tailgate supports, and how noisy and rusty they became. The aircraft cable is a big improvement and it should not be a tall order to fab something up that will fix this. These cables likely cost Ford less than $4, but they would cost us far more on the...