- Joined
- Apr 3, 2022
- Messages
- 681
I know that all of the parts houses sale a tailgate cable kit. I also know they want too much for them and the way they are mounted is somewhat difficult because the bolt that goes in the taillight housing interferes with the latch bracket. I figured I'd give it a try and build my own. Turned out great and it cost about $25. Lots of ways to skin this cat, but this is how I did it.
First I ordered these cables from Amazon:
Then I ordered two 5/16 -18 X 2" Grade 8 carriage bolts from Bolt Depot (more on that later).
I had some 3/8" fuel line rubber hose and some 1/2" rubber heater hose so no need to buy that.
Finally, I had a couple nylon locking nuts and two 5/16" flat washers. That's all it takes.
Here it is in the order it should be assymbled.
First, take the bolt and put a 1" length of 3/8" hose on it. This ensures the cable eye rotates smoothly and eliminates any metal on metal rattle between eye of cable and bolt.
Then put on the cable end as shown with hump on cable facing toward head of bolt.
Then push on the 3/4" length of 1/2" hose over the top of the 3/8" hose and push it up firmly against the cable eye. This just keeps the cable in place at the end of the bolt up against the head.
Now slip on the flat washer and hand screw in the bolt into the LOWER mounting hole where the orginal bracket mounted. Get it n there tight by using some pliers on the head of the bolt (be careful and it wont scratch)
Now you can remove your taillight and reach up into the taillight panel and feel where the bolt come through that you just screwed in. Put the nylon nut on it and tighten it down with a small socket. You might need to hold the head of the bolt with pliers so it does not move when tightening the locking nut.
There you go, one side done. The tailgate sits slightly above 90 degrees probably around 85 degrees. But not very noticeable and the cables will likely stretch a bit over time and a few football tail gate parties!
Tailgate closes with zero binding and NO metal rattle!!!
So why the grade 8 bolt? You can get a nice stainless steel carriage bolt from Lowes, but SS bolts are a grade 2 or 3 at best (low to no carbon). Im over 200 pounds and I sure dont want to hop up on the tailgate and the bolt bends or breaks. Grade 8 will not budge!
Finally, the cables I list above are 18 1/8" from eye to eye. The same company on Amazon has a longer set that is just over 21" but I think that might put the tailgate over 90 degrees. Your call.
First I ordered these cables from Amazon:
Then I ordered two 5/16 -18 X 2" Grade 8 carriage bolts from Bolt Depot (more on that later).
I had some 3/8" fuel line rubber hose and some 1/2" rubber heater hose so no need to buy that.
Finally, I had a couple nylon locking nuts and two 5/16" flat washers. That's all it takes.
Here it is in the order it should be assymbled.
First, take the bolt and put a 1" length of 3/8" hose on it. This ensures the cable eye rotates smoothly and eliminates any metal on metal rattle between eye of cable and bolt.
Then put on the cable end as shown with hump on cable facing toward head of bolt.
Then push on the 3/4" length of 1/2" hose over the top of the 3/8" hose and push it up firmly against the cable eye. This just keeps the cable in place at the end of the bolt up against the head.
Now slip on the flat washer and hand screw in the bolt into the LOWER mounting hole where the orginal bracket mounted. Get it n there tight by using some pliers on the head of the bolt (be careful and it wont scratch)
Now you can remove your taillight and reach up into the taillight panel and feel where the bolt come through that you just screwed in. Put the nylon nut on it and tighten it down with a small socket. You might need to hold the head of the bolt with pliers so it does not move when tightening the locking nut.
There you go, one side done. The tailgate sits slightly above 90 degrees probably around 85 degrees. But not very noticeable and the cables will likely stretch a bit over time and a few football tail gate parties!
Tailgate closes with zero binding and NO metal rattle!!!
So why the grade 8 bolt? You can get a nice stainless steel carriage bolt from Lowes, but SS bolts are a grade 2 or 3 at best (low to no carbon). Im over 200 pounds and I sure dont want to hop up on the tailgate and the bolt bends or breaks. Grade 8 will not budge!
Finally, the cables I list above are 18 1/8" from eye to eye. The same company on Amazon has a longer set that is just over 21" but I think that might put the tailgate over 90 degrees. Your call.
