what's this part?

[puckdodger]

Hey Jim,

Definitely looks like the end cap for some type of extrusion - luggage pull handle, tonneau rail, something else that was in your truck?

I'm gonna go with this. Just took the tailgate off and looked at both ends of the pivot assembly and nothing looked like it was missing. At least that's what I'm gonna tell myself going forward?

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[got3fords]

Do you damage the tailgate?

 

[puckdodger]

Do you damage the tailgate?

No but things can go bad fast if you're not careful. I looked at one side, then back to other and the first cable somehow snuck down between the bumper and the rear corner of the side panel while I looked away. And those taillights aren't cheap if you got the BLIS thingys.

 

[AzScorpion]

Definitely not damper related.

Jim just keep driving and when something falls off then you'll know where it belongs.

 

[Grumpaw]

It could very well be for a hole that was deleted, and they just left the plug .
That would mean your left with an unholy plug.

 

[BettaRanga]

Is your damper installed on the driver or passenger side of the tailgate?

 

[Dave1899]

It might be the thingamabob that attaches to the whatchamacallit that rests on the doohickey I think. I've never seen a brownish one though as they are always black. Good luck..

 

[P. A. Schilke]

I was picking up my daughter from the airport a few nights ago and in the hustle to get a move on and get outta the dreaded red zone, I went to throw her suitcase in the bed where I already had a bunch of stuff. As I was closing the tailgate it had a bit of resistance, and suddenly the tailgate popped off on the RH side and dropped to the bumper. This might have come out of the tailgate or the mounting bracket on the boxside? Or might not even be part of the truck LOL. Appreciate any input.

Hi Jim,

I am afraid you just got pranked by assembly plant humor....take a totally unrelated part to assembly of the Ranger and inconspicuously drop it in the pickup box, just to drive you crazy trying to figure out.

The Ford base part number 7521 like on the back side of this foot or plug is for clutch Rods so not likely is this a Ford part base number...

Best,
Phil

 

[puckdodger]

Hi Jim,

I am afraid you just got pranked by assembly plant humor....take a totally unrelated part to assembly of the Ranger and inconspicuously drop it in the pickup box, just to drive you crazy trying to figure out.

The Ford base part number 7521 like on the back side of this foot or plug is for clutch Rods so not likely is this a Ford part base number...

Best,
Phil

Thanks Phil. I remember assembly plant humor very well, except us GM folks would only prank each other and NEVER the customers ?????

Or, some might say the joke is on anyone who bought GM, but I digress...

 

[WingShot]

In another life, I used to leave beer cans inside the framing of walls I built. Still get a little chuckle thinking about it. ?

 

[Muddy Fenders]

This is a good prank:

https://www.today.com/parents/dads/...rs-skeleton-surprise-kitchen-island-rcna40911

 

[JasonTremor]

I was picking up my daughter from the airport a few nights ago and in the hustle to get a move on and get outta the dreaded red zone, I went to throw her suitcase in the bed where I already had a bunch of stuff. As I was closing the tailgate it had a bit of resistance, and suddenly the tailgate popped off on the RH side and dropped to the bumper. This might have come out of the tailgate or the mounting bracket on the boxside? Or might not even be part of the truck LOL. Appreciate any input.

Its been a while since i had my tailgate off to add grease on the hinges, since Ford didn't include that in 2021. I digress, sorry, but i do recall some black plastic pieces that acted as bushings in the hinge.
The passenger side inner hinge was shaped like that. Might be worth removing the tailgate to verify before throwing it away.


Edit:. I missed where you had already removed tailgate and checked. Just ignore me. ?

 

[Danager]

Have you had stacking chairs in the bed at some point? Maybe patio chairs…. Looks a lot like the feet or the bumpers to keep the chairs from scratching others when stacked.

 

[Msfitoy]

Hi Jim,

I am afraid you just got pranked by assembly plant humor....take a totally unrelated part to assembly of the Ranger and inconspicuously drop it in the pickup box, just to drive you crazy trying to figure out.

The Ford base part number 7521 like on the back side of this foot or plug is for clutch Rods so not likely is this a Ford part base number...

Best,
Phil

I worked on a Cadillac assembly mounting tires onto the chassis for one summer back in the late 70s and heard stories of disgruntled employees who would randomly place one or more lug nuts into the chassis rail as it rolled by....the poor customer would hear something rolling back and forth under their car and never were able to figure out what was going on...don't know if this story was true or urban legend...

 

[D Fresh]

I worked on a Cadillac assembly mounting tires onto the chassis for one summer back in the late 70s and heard stories of disgruntled employees who would randomly place one or more lug nuts into the chassis rail as it rolled by....the poor customer would hear something rolling back and forth under their car and never were able to figure out what was going on...don't know if this story was true or urban legend...

They literally had you "puttin' wheels on Cadillacs?"

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