Suggestions on lowering tailgate a tiny bit?

[jd-santaclarita]

Hi all - I'm working on finishing my DIY slider rail system for my 2018 Ram Power Wagon and have hit a snag. The slider rails won't clear the tailgate by about 1/4"-1/2" and unfortunately the tailgate has a little lip at the top to make it even harder to clear. I planned to use these drop links ( ) but unfortunately they drop the tailgate too much and the tailgate hits the bumper (by a LOT) with a fair bit of slack still in the cable. Anyone have any advice on how else I can solve this? If I can't gracefully lower the the tailgate a little, I fear my only option is to raise the whole slider system and lose precious cargo height/clearance. Thoughts?

Thanks,
JD

 

[Porkchopexpress]

If you raise the slider system, will the ARB clear the tonneau? If so, that seems like the most elegant solution. If you lower the tailgate by modification, it seems like you might lose support strength and it wouldn't be level with the bed. I don't know how valuable a narrow gap above your cooler is anyway.

Just my opinion

Edit: a compromise could be to shim out the rearward mount, (with respect to front of truck) of the slider system so it extends slightly upward. The only negative is that gravity will be trying to slide it back in from open position.

 

[pigsammy]

Yes, simplify your life and raise the slider.
Raising only the rear mount as mentioned above may allow you to raise it only very slightly but still gain sufficient clearance at the gate.

 

[Jacobm]

I agree with the other posters, shimming the rear slide mounts is going to be the easiest way to solve this problem. I would add that you shouldn't worry about the sliders not being level and wanting to slide back into the bed with gravity, I doubt your truck is ever going to be parked so level that it won't want to slide one way or another. If your slides lock in both the in and out positions, even more reason not to worry about it.