Is it THAT Simple - Tailgate cable too Long?

[Mikknj]

I just installed a tailgate dampener and since the tailgate cables seem to be a bit too long - the dampener is bottomed out / carrying the weight of the tailgate. I was quite concerned so I looked online to purchase shorter cables from anywhere. But none exist. After about an hour of thinking about the problem I asked myself what would happen if I twisted the cable 365 degrees. I just put 1 twist in the left cable and BANG! perfect. The tailgate is now level. This took the stress of the dampener. Anyway, I thought I would share this story with everyone. There are so many posts with this "Issue" Note that, the cable tends to want to fold in an unnatural way now. but I think that will straighten out over time. I just need to guide it when I lift the tailgate. I'm happy!

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[Darnon]

Most were complaining that the tailgate cable is too long if anything.

 

[icegradner]

The complaint is not that they are too long, at least not that I recall. It's that that one cable is longer than the other, it's been noted since the first trucks shipped in 2021. My the driver side cable is shorter than the passenger side cable, I just don't care, since it works.

 

[Mikknj]

Most were complaining that the tailgate cable is too long if anything.

Thanks for catching that I did mean to say the cables are too long!
I just corrected the title. It's a bit of an amazing fix. it brought the left cable right up to level with the right cable - There was a lot of slack in the left cable till I twisted it 1 turn

 

[Darnon]

The complaint is not that they are too long, at least not that I recall. It's that that one cable is longer than the other, it's been noted since the first trucks shipped in 2021. My the driver side cable is shorter than the passenger side cable, I just don't care, since it works.

Some were also complaining that overall they were too long and the tailgate tends to slope down rather than being flat with the bed.

 

[icegradner]

Some were also complaining that overall they were too long and the tailgate tends to slope down rather than being flat with the bed.

Ah yes, the it's not flat thing, forgot about that!

 

[Mikknj]

The complaint is not that they are too long, at least not that I recall. It's that that one cable is longer than the other, it's been noted since the first trucks shipped in 2021. My the driver side cable is shorter than the passenger side cable, I just don't care, since it works.

Correct I stated that wrong - the cables are too long!

Ah yes, the it's not flat thing, forgot about that!

Yes and it's not a thing that really needs fixing - unless, you install the tailgate damper. In that case where cables are a bit long the damper bottom's out. Not good for the device. So one twist of the cable and it raises up the tailgate enough to solve the problem!

 

[FischAutoTechGarten]

Correct I stated that wrong - the cables are too long!


Yes and it's not a thing that really needs fixing - unless, you install the tailgate damper. In that case where cables are a bit long the damper bottom's out. Not good for the device. So one twist of the cable and it raises up the tailgate enough to solve the problem!

Thanks for sharing that simple fix with all of us! Obvious now, but not something that occured to allot of folks previously...

 

[fossil]

I would be concerned that the twisted cable would rub some paint off

 

[icegradner]

Correct I stated that wrong - the cables are too long!


Yes and it's not a thing that really needs fixing - unless, you install the tailgate damper. In that case where cables are a bit long the damper bottom's out. Not good for the device. So one twist of the cable and it raises up the tailgate enough to solve the problem!

I have the damper. Tried twisting the cable, once, twice, still too long and it put a lot of force on the cable. Second I took it off it quickly untwisted itself, in a uncontrollable manner. If you use the flex feature of the tailgate this is not a fix at all.

 

[snowcatxx87]

The dampener also causes my cable to rub against the inside of the tailgate, I had to put some xpel to stop it wearing away the paint.

it also bears the weight of the load on the gate instead of the cable

the dampener also wore down the boot of the cable, so now the little metal thing holding the clasp on is loose causing it to come off.

wish I never did the dampener haha

 

[Syntax Error]

Does anyone make slightly shorter cables for the bed? Seems like the issue is that the cables are a tad too long.

 

[Maverick Grabber]

Most were complaining that the tailgate cable is too long if anything.

That is exactly what was said

 

[Maverick Grabber]

never noticed it on mine

 

[Mikknj]

The dampener also causes my cable to rub against the inside of the tailgate, I had to put some xpel to stop it wearing away the paint.

it also bears the weight of the load on the gate instead of the cable

the dampener also wore down the boot of the cable, so now the little metal thing holding the clasp on is loose causing it to come off.

wish I never did the dampener haha

Interesting other issues here - I will take a picture and let others see.
one Twist didn't make my cable unwrap violently when I moved it up to the propped position - I just needed to handle it cautiously.

The rubbing of the cable that's interesting. will have to see how that goes. but I will be ready with some clear masking tape. I'd rather have a level tailgate than pull the damper down too far and break it.

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