Tailgate fitment issue

[Lucky73]

So I took the tailgate off a bed I'm selling,and put it on the new bed.The problem is now the guard over the latch on the gate rubs so bad on the striker that its hard it open it.Should I just bend the guards out,or is there an alignment issue.
 By the way its a fleet side bed

[Captkaos]

Same relative year tailgate?  when you say guard are you talking about the tab on the gate?

[Lucky73]

Its an 86 bed,84 gate.ya the tabs on the gate,isn't that part of the latch?should I just bend that out or shim out the striker on the bed.All the bracket's are original to the tail gate.

[Captkaos]

Just bend it.

[Lucky73]

Ok ill try it

[Lucky73]

I think if I bend um out the tabs and hit the bed.Another ?how do I get the gaps smaller between the gate an the bed.right now the gap is a 1/4'' or more,and id like it tighter than that.what can I do?

[Captkaos]

Nothing.  Unless you weld filler rods to the tailgate

[Lucky73]

OK I figure as much For the latch issue.Could I shim out the striker on the bed?Also is  Captkaos this Chris I hear so much about?

[Captkaos]

That is me.  Who's been talking?

[Lucky73]

Oh just some article's I came across.did you start this site?and I think I read some thing aboot paying supports.I would be willing to chip in what I can.

[Captkaos]

Matt Dingman actually started the website around 1999.  In 2003 I had started selling parts via word of mouth/captkaoscustoms.com and he approached me on taking over this site, so instead of expanding my site I took this one and expanded it.

You can be a supporter just send $25 via paypal to webmaster@73-87chevytrucks.com with Site Supporter for Lucky73 (user ID) and I will add it.

[fitz]

I think if I bend um out the tabs and hit the bed.Another ?how do I get the gaps smaller between the gate an the bed.right now the gap is a 1/4'' or more,and id like it tighter than that.what can I do?

 I've seen work trucks over the years where the bed has spread apart in the rear from being driven without the tailgate in place. I imagine it takes a while to happen, but the tailgate does hold the bed together. It's not uncommon to have someone try to reinstall the gate down the road and run into problems.
 Back in the 80's there used to be trucks around running bed support bars to eliminate this.
 If yous is a typical factory fit/finish problem I would leave it alone but if it looks spread apart pull it back into shape with a come along.   

[Lucky73]

I dont think the bed is spred apart.there is an even 1/4'' all the down the body line

[Lucky73]

OK I clicked the link and I got directed to an email page.Who or how do I send the paypal to?

[Captkaos]

The original link that is in your profile is broken.  Do you have a paypal account?  If so just send money to my email address listed above.  I am working on fixing it.