with the right side tailgate cable being too long will there be
a recall or what is the next step if any. will there be any
damage to the tailgate with this slack with weight on it.
any input on this

 

I had mine replaced and the new ones are worse... Check out 2004 f-150 problems thread for my response and another guys response... They are like that, and if you go to any dealer, all fords and chevys and dodges are like that, some other brands it is the left one, but the 2004 f-150 is the right one...

 

thanks i went there. i did a search did not find much on this
if weight is put there trying to figure if the tailgate would
bend any or warp or maybe be ok

 

How much longer is one cable to another? My cables seemed slightly differerent but not much. I was wondering if there is any possible way to adjust to the spuds they connect to? Otherwise I figured, if and when any significant weight was loaded on the tailgate, one would stretch and the other one would then start bearing load (unless of course there's about 1/2'' diff. in length). All things considered this would probably be something that would be difficult to make perfect considering cable tension is hard to judge when not taunt and the tailgate itself could now or in the future have a slight warpage.

 

mine is about a 1/2 inch or so...

when you 200lb person sits by the right side on the tailgate (by the longer cable) the left side still takes the weight and my right side one is still loose...

Mine is worse than the others on the lot, but I pulled down 10 tailgates on 2004 F-150's and they are all off...

I know it is a mass produced vehicle, but come on...

I did have mine replaced, body shop said it wasn't right, but the new ones are the same / worse...

I just don't want to load a 4-wheeler and bend the tailgate...

 

After seeing this thread, I just went outside and looked at my tailgate cables. They are both exactly 24 ½” from tip to tip. My tailgate hangs OK.
My truck was built 9-03 in the Kansas City plant.

 

Same here jpdadeo, My truck was also built in Kansas City.

 

mine is also perfect - built May '04 in Norfolk Virginia

 

I actually hang the tailgates and install the cable bolt, latch, latchrod and cable on the right side. I have never heard of this problem and the cables have not changed since JOB 1. Therefore, I am not sure what you are talking about.

 

Kudos to you and all at the Kansas City plant; my truck is perfect. Built 9-03

 

Gentlemen:

Posts have been deleted. We frown upon being a butthole to other members; especially when there is no reason to warrant such an action.

 

The cables do not have any effect on the tailgate for when it is in the all-the-way-down position. They could double as a failsafe in case something goes wrong. That little nub on the bottom of the tailgate takes all the pressure.

Another reason the cables are most likely there is so the top part can be detached and reattached on the other round things that stick out, in case you have an extra long load and need to leave the tailgate partially down so things don't slide out.

 

I am still shocked someone went out an measured the length of the tailgate cables and decided to post on it!
You know, I was counting the nubs on my tires yesterday and I thought I should say that the left front has 578 while the right front has 580 (I recounted 5 times to make sure)....THIS TRUCK SUCKS!

 

I checked this on mine last night. Dropped the tailgate and the left hand side cable is tight. The right hand side cable has "slop" in it so it's loose. Strange that they are not the same length.

 

Strange that it is always the right cable, stranger yet that with all the knowledge of the 2004 F150 owners that we can't figure this out.
I'm going to take a stab at it.
Anyone on here from south of the equator, if you would check your tailgate I'm sure you will find that the left cable is loose, also I believe the cable is looser as you get farther from the equator, I live right on the 45th parallel and mine are about even.
I realize this didn't solve the problem, but I think it shows that although bill ford screwed up the rest of this truck the tailgate cables are caused by natural forces.