Sponsored

Uneven tailgate cable fix

Old Ranchero

2.0L EcoBoost
Well-known member
Joined
Apr 1, 2021
Threads
26
Messages
2,587
Reaction score
3,497
Location
CO
Vehicle(s)
2018 F-150 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee 2022 Maverick
Engine
2.0L EcoBoost
Thanks for the investigation and fix. While a dumb design with no adjustment I won't be taking out the slack. Really doesn't bother me and I'm unlikely to have much of a load either in the bed or on the tailgate.
^^THIS^^ I don't get the heartburn over this at all. It droops a little - so what? I can't imagine a single scenario where this will be a problem during normal use over the lifetime of the vehicle. As long as it functions as designed and doesn't affect alignment in closed position - all good.

Remember, this is an economy vehicle designed with a FLEX bed.
Sponsored

 

SpacemanSpiff

2.5L Hybrid
Well-known member
First Name
Tyreese
Joined
Jun 23, 2021
Threads
11
Messages
354
Reaction score
809
Location
Mid-west
Vehicle(s)
F-15 Eagle
Engine
2.5L Hybrid
Next step was to remove the left taillight.
Did you check the right side? Maybe it wasn't welded in place and could be adjusted? Technically, you would only need to adjust one side?
 

JASmith

2.5L Hybrid
Well-known member
First Name
Jessica
Joined
Jun 16, 2021
Threads
68
Messages
1,597
Reaction score
3,743
Location
Texas
Vehicle(s)
Dodge Ram 1500
Engine
2.5L Hybrid
I would wait till someone designed an upgrade left cable making them even.
Or sell a "kit" of two with a left cable that is both slightly longer and slightly shorter than factory. That should fix everyone... well, except it would just make them even.

The other issue is sometimes the Maverick tailgates I have noticed are not even with the bed. As in if you lay a flat board on the bed, it should be even with the tailgate, but I see some tailgates go past horizontal and are dipped down a bit.
^^THIS^^ I don't get the heartburn over this at all. It droops a little - so what?
Its not a cosmetic issue if the cables can't support the weight evenly, then metal has to flex. Usually not great to be flexing steel.
 

ffoc01

Well-known member
First Name
James
Joined
Jan 9, 2022
Threads
2
Messages
134
Reaction score
349
Location
02760
Vehicle(s)
2022 Mav Hyb FE, 2014 Flex
Ok, I get that people might not be thrilled about it, but Ford tailgate cables have been like this for years. It's just cosmetic. Do a Google search for Ford tailgate cable adjustment you'll find people all over the F150 and Ranger forums saying the same thing.

ssm 21731 - f-150 - tailgate cable length variation
some 2009-2011 f-150 customers may be concerned if one tailgate support cable appears to have slack with the tailgate lowered. This condition may be present due to normal variations that occur within vehicle production. Slack in the affected support cable will be depleted when weight is applied to the tailgate. Tailgate load capacity is not compromised by this condition. Do not attempt vehicle service for this normal condition.

That was an SSM dated 2011, put out because of the wave of new complaints about tailgate cables on the (then) New 2009 F150s.

Not saying I like it, it just is what it is.
 

Sponsored

Doug Wildman

2.5L Hybrid
Well-known member
First Name
Doug
Joined
Aug 26, 2021
Threads
1
Messages
180
Reaction score
395
Location
Orlando, Florida
Vehicle(s)
2021 Tesla Model 3, 2022 Maverick
Engine
2.5L Hybrid
Did you check the right side? Maybe it wasn't welded in place and could be adjusted? Technically, you would only need to adjust one side?
The right is tack welded just like the left. A cable with a turn buckle adjuster would be nice. Maybe someone will create an aftermarket one.
 
Last edited:

Doug Wildman

2.5L Hybrid
Well-known member
First Name
Doug
Joined
Aug 26, 2021
Threads
1
Messages
180
Reaction score
395
Location
Orlando, Florida
Vehicle(s)
2021 Tesla Model 3, 2022 Maverick
Engine
2.5L Hybrid
Could you not just Dremel out the connector on the short cable assuming there is still plenty of metal and it’s that bothersome?
Yes but the tailgate already looks like it hangs to low(not level with the bed).
 

track me

Well-known member
First Name
Soon
Joined
Jan 9, 2022
Threads
3
Messages
57
Reaction score
48
Location
Northeast
Vehicle(s)
Escape, / CRV
^^THIS^^ I don't get the heartburn over this at all. It droops a little - so what? I can't imagine a single scenario where this will be a problem during normal use over the lifetime of the vehicle. As long as it functions as designed and doesn't affect alignment in closed position - all good.

Remember, this is an economy vehicle designed with a FLEX bed.
I saw what you did there. Good one.
 

track me

Well-known member
First Name
Soon
Joined
Jan 9, 2022
Threads
3
Messages
57
Reaction score
48
Location
Northeast
Vehicle(s)
Escape, / CRV
Could you not add a twist to the long cable? Have not seen the cables being used, but I would think a 1/2 to full twist might not stress the cables too much.
 

bdaniel230

2.0L EcoBoost
Well-known member
First Name
Daniel
Joined
Jan 21, 2022
Threads
1
Messages
364
Reaction score
205
Location
Middleton, Id
Vehicle(s)
2022 Ford Maverick XLT -Hot Chili Red - 4k Tow Fx4
Engine
2.0L EcoBoost
Well if you look at it the way the Ford executives look at things. Making it TOUGH to fix is still Ford Tough. Try buying the service manual for the truck. Used to be under $75 to purchase the Ford Service Manual for a new vehicle, I know, I have bought six Fords since 1966. The current price for the complete 2022 Ford Maverick Service Manual SET, is over $2,000. Yep, they want to do all the service. And just try and get a Motors Manual for it.
 
Sponsored

DarkStormy

2.5L Hybrid
Well-known member
First Name
William
Joined
Sep 18, 2021
Threads
2
Messages
197
Reaction score
337
Location
Maine
Vehicle(s)
Nissan Frontier
Engine
2.5L Hybrid
The nuts were very clearly spot-welded onto the body before it went through the paint shop. Most likely using a fixture or robot to position the nut. The tailgates are not hung onto the vehicles until after the bodies are painted. I have 30 years experience in an auto plant, so I am quite familiar with the processes. :)
Sounds to me like one of the robot welders is hitting the tequila a little too hard on the weekends...;)
 

pa-outdoorsman

2.0L EcoBoost
Well-known member
Joined
Jan 26, 2022
Threads
116
Messages
2,155
Reaction score
4,519
Location
PA
Vehicle(s)
2022 Maverick XLT, EB, LUX, FX4, 4K, Cactus Gray
Engine
2.0L EcoBoost
Clubs
 
Well if you look at it the way the Ford executives look at things. Making it TOUGH to fix is still Ford Tough. Try buying the service manual for the truck. Used to be under $75 to purchase the Ford Service Manual for a new vehicle, I know, I have bought six Fords since 1966. The current price for the complete 2022 Ford Maverick Service Manual SET, is over $2,000. Yep, they want to do all the service. And just try and get a Motors Manual for it.
Good grief, most people aren't ever going to want a service manual. Even if I had one, I still would not feel qualified to do most of the work. And so much of what exists on modern vehicles either requires specialized tools and/or high-tech equipment for reading and calibrating. Unfortunately, wrenching on a 2022 truck is nothing like wrenching on a 1980 truck. I'm OK paying a professional to service my vehicles.
 
OP
OP

Mikk

2.5L Hybrid
Well-known member
Joined
Dec 8, 2021
Threads
12
Messages
76
Reaction score
152
Location
Ontario
Vehicle(s)
Maverick
Engine
2.5L Hybrid
Did you check the right side? Maybe it wasn't welded in place and could be adjusted? Technically, you would only need to adjust one side?
I did not check the right side. Since the tailgate already slopes down a bit when open, I picked raising the left over lowering the right.
 
OP
OP

Mikk

2.5L Hybrid
Well-known member
Joined
Dec 8, 2021
Threads
12
Messages
76
Reaction score
152
Location
Ontario
Vehicle(s)
Maverick
Engine
2.5L Hybrid
Could you not add a twist to the long cable? Have not seen the cables being used, but I would think a 1/2 to full twist might not stress the cables too much.
Both cables were exactly the same length.
Sponsored

 
 




Top