Tailgate not level with bed.

[damnclose]

I'd even say that if they were a bit short and the gait tipped up it would be a far better situation- You don't want stuff to slide OUT on a down angle

They probably will have to fix this.
But knowing it now will not be an issue when I get my truck. It will get fixed one way or another

This is a big deal and shows very poor quality control. I agree to short is much better than to long for straps. There is a very simple fix to this, the tolerance coming out of the factory should be tight enough to have one length of cables to fit all trucks coming off the line. If they are not right, then Ford should fix prior to leaving plant no excuse. As for those saying this is no big deal, I think it shows a lack of quality control at the most basic level. I have a 2002 Chevy Silverado with both tailgate straps perfectly supporting my tailgate even after having probably over 700 LBS on it multiple time.

This is not a me problem, it is a Ford problem and should never happen and if it does should be fixed by Ford before leaving factory period!
Problem Solved

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[Larrythelunatic]

This is a big deal and shows very poor quality control. I agree to short is much better than to long for straps. There is a very simple fix to this, the tolerance coming out of the factory should be tight enough to have one length of cables to fit all trucks coming off the line. If they are not right, then Ford should fix prior to leaving plant no excuse. As for those saying this is no big deal, I think it shows a lack of quality control at the most basic level. I have a 2002 Chevy Silverado with both tailgate straps perfectly supporting my tailgate even after having probably over 700 LBS on it multiple time.

This is not a me problem, it is a Ford problem and should never happen and if it does should be fixed by Ford before leaving factory period!
Problem Solved

Hear! Hear!

 

[Larrythelunatic]

I know in some cases it is way out of level but thickness in spray liner could throw out the trucks with the minor out of level issues. Does anyone know if the cable bolts can be adjusted like door latch bolts?

No……..
The tailgate ALSO has the spray-in applied to it, thus retaining the
hoped-for levelness.

 

[Maveriac]

Any time you space two diametrically opposed cables spanned greater than 3’ 4 1/8” laterally you create a dihedral force causing a magnetic field of conjuncture thus explaining this HUGE difference in the levelness of a tailgate.
Get a big dude to jump on the high side until the cable stretches enough to level it out.
How level is your back window? How level is the back bumper? How about the hood?
PUT THE LEVEL AWAY. Better yet give it to a guy with GMC and mention to him that his tailgate looks unlevel.

 

[STARCOMMTREY1]

My dealer ordered new cables for me today. We will see. Also verified on other models that the tailgates are level

 

[STARCOMMTREY1]

Any time you space two diametrically opposed cables spanned greater than 3’ 4 1/8” laterally you create a dihedral force causing a magnetic field of conjuncture thus explaining this HUGE difference in the levelness of a tailgate.
Get a big dude to jump on the high side until the cable stretches enough to level it out.
How level is your back window? How level is the back bumper? How about the hood?
PUT THE LEVEL AWAY. Better yet give it to a guy with GMC and mention to him that his tailgate looks unlevel.

Or tell the GMC guy that your mav tailgate is rated for 30 percent more than his Denali multigate

 

[Big_T]

My dealer ordered new cables for me today. We will see. Also verified on other models that the tailgates are level

Good to hear some are level AKA they are even with the bed AKA on the same plane.

Edit - when you say other models you do mean other Mavericks....or?

 

[STARCOMMTREY1]

Good to hear some are level AKA they are even with the bed AKA on the same plane.

Edit - when you say other models you do mean other Mavericks....or?

Ranger and 150

 

[Big_T]

Ranger and 150

Oh. Ok well I wonder if any Mavericks exist with a tailgate on an even keel with the bed.

 

[Bret4]

I remember years ago when a friend of mine had a ranger. I think it was a 1990 something. One cable was not tight when the tailgate was down. The other had a little slack in it. He had ford order new cables for the tailgate at least twice and it didn't fix the problem. He also looked as all the rangers on the lot and everyone had the same problem. Nothing could be done and it never was fixed by ford. When weight I sat on the tailgate it was enough to make both cables tight.

On my Maverick the cables are both tight when the tailgate is down. The tailgate doesn't sit level with the bed. It doesn't bother me. I haven't checked but wonder if when the tailgate is in the position to carry say a 4x8 sheet of plywood does it sit at the right height in that mode? Maybe they made it so it sits right for that because some miscalculation in where the latch pins are located and where they wanted the tailgate to sit at when hauling a heavy load of 4x8 sheets. Just a guess and I haven't checked if it sits right when in the long sheet hauling mode.

 

[STARCOMMTREY1]

I remember years ago when a friend of mine had a ranger. I think it was a 1990 something. One cable was not tight when the tailgate was down. The other had a little slack in it. He had ford order new cables for the tailgate at least twice and it didn't fix the problem. He also looked as all the rangers on the lot and everyone had the same problem. Nothing could be done and it never was fixed by ford. When weight I sat on the tailgate it was enough to make both cables tight.

On my Maverick the cables are both tight when the tailgate is down. The tailgate doesn't sit level with the bed. It doesn't bother me. I haven't checked but wonder if when the tailgate is in the position to carry say a 4x8 sheet of plywood does it sit at the right height in that mode? Maybe they made it so it sits right for that because some miscalculation in where the latch pins are located and where they wanted the tailgate to sit at when hauling a heavy load of 4x8 sheets. Just a guess and I haven't checked if it sits right when in the long sheet hauling mode.

Nope. Low in that setting too

 

[kw86er]

I remember years ago when a friend of mine had a ranger. I think it was a 1990 something. One cable was not tight when the tailgate was down. The other had a little slack in it. He had ford order new cables for the tailgate at least twice and it didn't fix the problem. He also looked as all the rangers on the lot and everyone had the same problem. Nothing could be done and it never was fixed by ford. When weight I sat on the tailgate it was enough to make both cables tight.

On my Maverick the cables are both tight when the tailgate is down. The tailgate doesn't sit level with the bed. It doesn't bother me. I haven't checked but wonder if when the tailgate is in the position to carry say a 4x8 sheet of plywood does it sit at the right height in that mode? Maybe they made it so it sits right for that because some miscalculation in where the latch pins are located and where they wanted the tailgate to sit at when hauling a heavy load of 4x8 sheets. Just a guess and I haven't checked if it sits right when in the long sheet hauling mode.

One cable tighter than the other is fairly normal. This could change depending if you have a full tank of gas or sun hitting one side of the truck. The whole box will have some flex. It doesn't take much and as you said when you load it, it corrects itself.

 

[Bret4]

One cable tighter than the other is fairly normal. This could change depending if you have a full tank of gas or sun hitting one side of the truck. The whole box will have some flex. It doesn't take much and as you said when you load it, it corrects itself.

Yep.

 

[timrom2003]

It is not a matter of esthetics it is a matter of function and I was not outraged just pointing it out for other people that might want to haul a coule 2x4's with their new "truck".

I think I could chock it up to make up the difference if there is any.

 

[briandefilippo]

Some have said not a big deal! To me, a precisely engineered product should be precisely put together! I suggest taking to dealer and see what they can do. Maybe new cables is all that is needed and they can pay for it.

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