Tailgate adj

[Mclock]

So my 73 has excessive play in tailgate handle. Is there anyway to fix this ? Where the rods go into latches on each side there’s an incredible amount of play.

 

[ford man]

Does it have the plastic bushings ?

 

[Torkman66]

If you can take the rods out, start by putting a fuel line over them the full length. You can do that by slicing the fuel line the whole length then just wrapping it around rod. That keeps them quiet. Second, slightly bend each rod until they are snug from handle to latch. Basically take the play out of them. When I engage my handle, it immediately starts pulling the latches. No dead space. That was done by bending the rods slightly to shorten them to the perfect snug length.