One tailgate cable is slack when tailgate is down

[FrostySaguaro]

Hey everyone,

just picked up my new ranger last night and had a chance to go over it in the daytime today. I noticed that when I have the tailgate down that one of the cables is slack while the other is taught. I am guessing this is not normal but this is my first truck and I’m not sure what the norm is. Pictures to better illustrate are below/attached.
Want to make sure I don’t damage the tailgate or ignore this in case I overload it past 1 cables weight limit a few years down the road.

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[FrostySaguaro]

thanks for the insight, was thinking this might be the case as well but wanted to be sure.

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

Hey everyone,

just picked up my new ranger last night and had a chance to go over it in the daytime today. I noticed that when I have the tailgate down that one of the cables is slack while the other is taught. I am guessing this is not normal but this is my first truck and I’m not sure what the norm is. Pictures to better illustrate are below/attached.
Want to make sure I don’t damage the tailgate or ignore this in case I overload it past 1 cables weight limit a few years down the road.

Hi Ryan,

Have a look to make sure the bottom of the tailgate isn't getting caught up on something like a dealer licence plate frame or loose bumper trim.

 

[FrostySaguaro]

Hi Ryan,

Have a look to make sure the bottom of the tailgate isn't getting caught up on something like a dealer licence plate frame or loose bumper trim.

Good idea, just went and the tailgate does not appear to be in contact with any trim or anything other than the pivot points where it’s connected. Going to chalk this up as within tolerances I think.

 

[P. A. Schilke]

Hey everyone,

just picked up my new ranger last night and had a chance to go over it in the daytime today. I noticed that when I have the tailgate down that one of the cables is slack while the other is taught. I am guessing this is not normal but this is my first truck and I’m not sure what the norm is. Pictures to better illustrate are below/attached.
Want to make sure I don’t damage the tailgate or ignore this in case I overload it past 1 cables weight limit a few years down the road.

Hi Ryan,

I have seen this from time to time on our prototypes. Have had some success swapping the cables side to side. Since the Ranger is under warranty...best to take it back to the dealer for their assessment as in your case this is quite excessive. Dealer should order two new cables for you in my opinion. Why this was not caught at the final line inspection at the plant is baffling.

Best,
Phil Schilke
Ranger Vehicle Engineering
Ford Motor Co. Retired

 

[wanted33]

Good advise from all Ryan. Now, let's see some pictures of your new Ranger. Congratulations, and enjoy the ride.

 

[HenryMac]

Manufacturing Tolerances. Stand on the tailgate... hey look... now both cables are tight.

 

[oldnslow]

My left side cable is slightly slack also - but not nearly that much.

You might want to take Phil Schilke's advice...

 

[FrostySaguaro]

Thanks everybody for the input, going to get it checked at the dealership and will update what I hear back. Pictures to come tomorrow, new fake raptor grill comes in and I’ll do a before and after.

 

[armoredpig]

My driver's side cable has some slack that goes away when I sit on the tailgate. I'd say for me, it's mostly an aesthetic annoyance

 

[BlueBoost]

" Why this was not caught at the final line inspection at the plant is baffling."

Well, the doors fit great on one side of my truck and not so great on the other. I'm thinking the weird COVID-related supply chain and shutdown issues are impacting build quality.

 

[HenryMac]

" Why this was not caught at the final line inspection at the plant is baffling."

Well, the doors fit great on one side of my truck and not so great on the other. I'm thinking the weird COVID-related supply chain and shutdown issues are impacting build quality.

If the vehicle leaves the plant with real quality issues, that's an indicator of piss poor quality assurance program.

However, in the OP's case, one cable with some slack in it probably isn't something that is even checked.

Ford has done some miserable things though. One of the biggest, in my mind, is shipping trucks with no seam sealer on some of the doors. That's a breach of contract, basically selling an incomplete vehicle in which their negligence will lead to rust issues. At a minimum these trucks should have been flagged for repairs at the dealership before putting them out for purchase by the general pubic.

 

[dtech]

Hi Ryan,

I have seen this from time to time on our prototypes. Have had some success swapping the cables side to side. Since the Ranger is under warranty...best to take it back to the dealer for their assessment as in your case this is quite excessive. Dealer should order two new cables for you in my opinion. Why this was not caught at the final line inspection at the plant is baffling.

Best,
Phil Schilke
Ranger Vehicle Engineering
Ford Motor Co. Retired

hoping consumer reports doesn't find out about this as it may serve to sink the Rangers owners reported problems score to the level of the Chevy Colorado

 

[BlueBoost]

" At a minimum these trucks should have been flagged for repairs at the dealership before putting them out for purchase by the general pubic."

Dealers got a bit arrogant due to the low inventory recently.

I just noticed I only have four tie downs in the bed, with empty holes for another two. Had to double check that it's supposed to have six?!? Years later people will be avoiding the "COVID Cars" lol.

 

[HenryMac]

" At a minimum these trucks should have been flagged for repairs at the dealership before putting them out for purchase by the general pubic."

Dealers got a bit arrogant due to the low inventory recently.

I just noticed I only have four tie downs in the bed, with empty holes for another two. Had to double check that it's supposed to have six?!? Years later people will be avoiding the "COVID Cars" lol.

2019 Ranger Brochure said "(6) Tie Downs"
2020 Ranger Brochure said "Tie Downs"

But as @VAMike likes to remind everybody, there's a disclaimer in the brochure basically saying all the data in the brochure is subject to change.

Regardless, it's cheapskate move on Ford's part.

And to add insult to injury, if you want to buy the tie downs from the parts department... in 2019 the tie down brackets were $12.98 each. Now they are about $30 each!

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