tailgate not latching on both sides

[hwyix]

I just purchased a 1972 2wd blazer. The right side latch does not seem to latch 100% in. The tailgate when closed [feels 100% secure for what ever that is worth. I am not sure if the body spread to far from age/accidents or
if there is a shim kit that is needed.

[Tom Vogel]

original tailgate or repop?

[hwyix]

Looks original to me. How can I tell? Do you want me to post pictures?

[hwyix]

The width between the tailgate latch is 66 & 3/8.


The gap on the right is 3/8.


The gap on the left is 1/4.

When I grab the tailgate on either side and push/pull hard it does not budge at
all. Maybe I am over thinking this and it is fine. If the right side is engaging it is probably only engaging a 1/16th of inch.

[JayDubBlazer]

With your hatch up can you see how close you are from latching. What do your body mounts look like?
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[hwyix]

Originally Posted by JayDubBlazer

With your hatch up can you see how close you are from latching. What do your body mounts look like?
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With the gate up it looks like maybe it just touching the latch instead
of being behind and full engaged. When I try to shake/pull/push the gate from the center/left side/right side it does not budge.

I think the PO replace the body mounts. They look fine to me.

[My3Sons!]

There is a "little" play in the latch (bed side), try to loosen the bolts just a few turns, bring them as far back as you can,(towards where the tailgate will meet it) and crank them back down. I had the same issue when I went with a repro tailgate. I will admit, even with all the tweaking I did, I still have to really slam it shut to latch.

[JayDubBlazer]

Is your bed square, I am assuming that it is because you have your top on. You can double check by checking the angles(comparing the hypotenuse), of both the bottom and the rails of the bed. Do you have a 6' level to see if you tailgate is not bent.

[hwyix]

Originally Posted by JayDubBlazer

Is your bed square, I am assuming that it is because you have your top on. You can double check by checking the angles(comparing the hypotenuse), of both the bottom and the rails of the bed. Do you have a 6' level to see if you tailgate is not bent.

There is 1/16th inch difference between the top and bottom.

measure from the bottom 66 5/16th
measure from the top 66 3/8th

[hwyix]

Originally Posted by My3Sons!

There is a "little" play in the latch (bed side), try to loosen the bolts just a few turns, bring them as far back as you can,(towards where the tailgate will meet it) and crank them back down. I had the same issue when I went with a repro tailgate. I will admit, even with all the tweaking I did, I still have to really slam it shut to latch.

thx. will try that tomorrow.

If there is no wiggle room to move it do you think I could dremel the hole just a little?

[Ole Beater]

Can you put a washer between the catch and the bed side to move it towards the tailgate? that with give you more bite from the tailgate latch.

[69-72]

Is the gap even from top to bottom or is it bigger on the top? Check to see if there are welds connecting the bed side to the rear cross member of the bed. Maybe a bedside was replaced at some point.
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[hwyix]

Originally Posted by 69-72

Is the gap even from top to bottom or is it bigger on the top?

1/16th bigger on top.