Adjustable Tailgate "Cables" on the Cheap.

Hey All, Joined the forum today just to show this off...

I've been looking for a way to safely and securely hold my tailgate up at an angle when hauling my YFZ in my DCSB. Normally i'm happy leaving my tailgate down but I'm now towing a trailer as well, and the tailgate would hit the trailer jack. On my dad's Chevy Colorado the cables have a second attachment point to hold the tailgate at the perfect height to lay a sheet of plywood level between the fender wells and the tailgate and it's been very useful. After finding no similar solution online we made something ourselves.

1/4" chain links are able to fit into the latch in the tailgate. On the top I added a 1/4" screw lock carabiner to hook to the normal tailgate latching point. The carabiner on the tailgate end of the chain isn't 100% necessary, but it is much easier to grip when pressing into the latch. To release the tailgate simply pull the handle. I purchased 30 inches of chain, and ended up cutting about 6 links off. Links can vary, but it ended up being 16 links for each side, plus two carabiners. I can now adjust my tailgate to any height/angle I want and i'm only out about 10 bucks. When not in use I just throw them in one of the bed cubbies.

Hopefully this comes in handy for others! Now I'll be able to haul all my toys to the dunes next month!

 

Looks factory.

 

Cool, but I want to see the tailgate lying flat.

 

Using the full 16 links it does lay flat... but I guess I never thought to take a picture of that. But I promise, it looks the same as with cables... accept with chain too

 

That's a great cheap DIY. someone is selling adjusters that do the same thing for around $250. You win!

 

Neat old school idea !!!

 

Great idea, thank you. Had to run straight to home depot after I saw this. I also bought 3 feet total but will keep them as long, to hang up my camping lantern.

 

https://tailgateadjuster.com/

glad I didn't buy them, going to home depot this weekend haha Thanks @YF_Ryan you just saved me $190 haha and that's before converting over to CND moneys haha

Edit: the only downside to this method is when u hit a bump the slack on the chain will cause the tailgate to bounce (unless theres weight on the gate to hold it down) and hopefully the door latches don't let go of the chain, unlikely, but possible. cables are still there to catch the tailgate but none the less, keep us updated on use and if anything bad happens haha still cheaper then 200$ haha

 

Hmmm, looks kinda ghetto. Would suck if you slammed your tailgate closed on one of the links thereby damaging your tailgate.

 

Would be a dumb ass move. See chains? Don't close the gate.

 

I don't understand the hate here from some, it works great for when you need it and easily removed for when you don't. Some people could use this and others don't see any need, at around $15 I think it's a good solve for those that might.

 

Nice job OP! Welcome to TW

 

I think it's a great solution for your uses.

 

Happy to help! I was hoping this might come in handy for others.

You're right on the bounce, I'd suggest only running like this when you need to. My dad hasn't had any trouble with his bouncing (and his truck was made that way) even with just a couple 8ft 2x4s. As for the tailgate latch popping loose... make sure you push the carabiners into the latch til they click the second time and hope for the best


And thank you to everyone with the warm welcome!

 

Ghetto woulda been using the rusty old chain I tested this with instead of buying new.

O yeah, and would also suck if you slammed your fingers in the tailgate Joking aside, I figure I'd only use when hauling something, so should be pretty pretty obvious.

 

That is perfect, I saw someone post that they used a second mount for the cables. They were using it when they were hauling plywood. This see much easier and can go with all my straps behind the back seat.

Thanks for sharing.

 

Could always put a turn buckle in the middle to make it infinitely adjustable.

 

Welcome to TW! Great first post. This was actually one of the utility features I missed most from my Colorado. Especially useful on the short bed.

 

I need to pick up 8 8' poles to transport about 200 miles. It looks like total weight would be about 2-300 pounds. Would this be acceptable to use the chains? Or would it be a light enough load to just prop it up on the tailgate with it closed?

 

Bumping my very first post from a couple years ago, as I saw it might come in handy for some people in some more recent threads.