The following video shows how to fix a 'magic' tailgate on a 1971 Ford Country Squire. Other years are similar. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5SMhq41TKA
Hey there! Been trying to fix/tighten up my tailgate on my 73 Country Sedan. It has some play when opened like a door, and is often difficult to open down like a tailgate. Any suggestions or tips? I saw your latch had some bends that you sorted out as well as playing a little with the push rods. Is this the way to go?
Latches and pushrods aren't the problem you have, if I read your description correctly. Essentially, like a car door, the side hinge assembly is wearing enough to cause the tailgate to sag when opened like a door. The bottom of the tailgate needs to be shimmed, to first make the tailgate latch without lifting it up. Then, once it's shimmed enough to make it latch square, you can see if the upper latches will properly release to allow it to drop as a tailgate. And, of course, grease every hinge, every latch, and verify that the plastic bushings are not worn.
Any recommendations to shimming? It seems like the upper hinge has some play in it when opened door-style.
That's why it says, the top hinge pin wear. Anyway, Leadslead has a '73 Colony Park, so the same setup; I am in error, I thought the design is the same as the '80s Panther wagons. But this design, the lower hinge cradles the underside of the gate. The question becomes: can those fasteners underneath be loosened, then move the hinge away from the gate body to give the same lift to it? Leadslead's tailgate doesn't require any adjustment, so I can't go trying it on his wagon.
