Can Tailgate Be Adjusted? - Rubbing

[dusty1787]

All,

I have been noticing lately that it appears that some of the body panel "gaps" can be pretty tight on the Maverick. I know it wasnt built to high end specs but I just noticed something last night. While smoking some burgers on the pellet grill I opened up the tailgate to sit on it while having a beer waiting for the burgers. But when I opened the tailgate I noticed a spot of something out of the corner of my eye on the bumper cover.

Upon further inspection it appears that the bumper cover and the tailgate are extremely close, so much so they appear to be making contact when opening/closing the tailgate. There is no damage anywhere to the rear of the vehicle indicating maybe I was hit or anything (i dont baby the vehicle but pretty sure I would notice a scratch or dent when I wash it 2-3times a month). So to me there is nothing to indicate something shifted or tweaked, but when the tailgate is about 45degrees opened, is where the bumper cover and corner of the tailgate appear to touch. I went back and found a few older photos of my Mav over the past couple years and that gap appears to be constantly close in those photos too.

Living in the midwest I know this will be a concern with rust forming and everything, so I am looking to see if anyone has any knowledge or documents to show if/how the tailgate can be adjusted. I attempted to pull out the bumper cover by hand away from that spot and there is almost 0 budge from that plastic. So I was hoping to see if maybe there is a way to adjust the "gaps" via the tailgate.

A second question would be how everyone elses tailgates appear. Does that gap appear normal on others tailgates or just mine?

Photos are attached.

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[Glen Baker LLC]

What does the gap look like on the other side?

 

[dusty1787]

What does the gap look like on the other side?

This was one of the photos I quickly found. gap is pretty close on both sides

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

Does not look like you've got much room for adjustment either way.

 

[dusty1787]

Does not look like you've got much room for adjustment either way.

Thats what I was worried about. But looking back/thinking back to the hand washing I do, I believe it has always been a pretty close gap. Just now seen what appears to be some sort of rubbing. Hope others can view their trucks and see if thats a common thing (close gaps at tailgate) or if mine is unlucky.

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

What in particular were you worried about?
I would be ecstatic if they tolerances were that close on mine.
Here are mine. They're uneven. The driver side has more gap than the passenger side. Maybe somebody complained about uneven gaps and Ford tightened it up

 

[Random881]

I'm not seeing any wear on mine, but I can see how its barely rubbing on the corners when I lift it up and down, so I don't think it's an isolated thing. Maybe it's only visible on yours because your paint is a lighter color as it's rubbing off?

Only fix I can think off the top of my head would be to maybe sand down the bumper a 1/16th? Preferably with a very high grit.

 

[dusty1787]

What in particular were you worried about?
I would be ecstatic if they tolerances were that close on mine.
Here are mine. They're uneven. The driver side has more gap than the passenger side. Maybe somebody complained about uneven gaps and Ford tightened it up

my passenger side is just so slightly rubbing currently. gaps on yours appear similar to mine. I am worried if it ends up taking off clear coat/paint that it will begin rusting. I am hoping to keep the truck for a long time, so looking to adjust it or figure out a way to prevent rusting from happening there.

 

[Tbone289]

The hinges themselves don't have any adjustment, only the latches. I think your best bet would be to put some clear adhesive stickers/paint protection film on that area of the paint, like the ones Ford has applied near that area to keep the tailgate cables from rubbing.

 

[stevj]

Adjusting the position of the rear bumper may be easier than trying to tweak the tailgate, because the tailgate pivot point is kinda loose by design.

Steve

 

[dusty1787]

Adjusting the position of the rear bumper may be easier than trying to tweak the tailgate, because the tailgate pivot point is kinda loose by design.

Steve

Would you by chance....know how to do/see if thats possible? haha (adjusting the rear bumper). I dont feel too comfortable just "diving on in" to taking things apart without really knowing how/where snap clips/bolts/electrical connecters (etc) are until I break/pull/shear something. And knowing my luck, will end up doing something like that. haha

 

[Tbone91]

I've never paid that much attention to the corners of the tailgate. I'll have to take a look later. Here's a pic I had tho. I have noticed blue color on my tailgate mat tho.

 

[Cancunbadlands]

It's designed like that

 

[MetalThunder]

Gap most likely to be larger in winter - thermal expansion of the plastic - it is summer and plastic expands.... Just thinking out loud .... pay no attention ..come winter we'll probably have a thread why is this gap so large carry on

Cheers

 

[Quest]

While there isn't an adjustment per say, there are some bolts you can loosen & shift the bumper cover over a few mm's

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