Adaptability of the Tail Bridge Tailgate Gap Cover

The Tail Bridge tailgate gap cover can be adjusted for length if necessary due to bed post to truck bed discrepancies. This 2010 Dodge/Ram 1500 had a little bit larger weld on the passenger side where the bed post meets the truck bed, therefore making a flat mount hinge install difficult.

Since this client was local, I drove over to his house to have a look and see what we could do to make this install work. I laid out the hinges so that both hinges lay flat on the truck bed. Then I measured from the back of the hinge tab cut out to the back of the opposite hinge tab cutout to find the optimum length for the bridge to work properly. That measurement was a little under 1/4" less then actual bridge size. I deducted 1/8" from that size to allow for hinge movement within the tab slots.

I brought the bridge back to my place, measured it out and carefully proceeded to cut the length of the bridge plate. In doing so, you need to remove that amount from both the glide side of the plate as well as the hinge tab. Not trimming the hinge tab will make the tab too long to fit into the hinge cut out tab slot.

I securely clamped the plate to my work bench, (always wear protective eye wear and gloves) measured out my cut lines and cut the bridge plate using a hand grinder with a DIABLO "metal cut-off" blade. After I cut the bridge, I hand filed the edges to eliminate any remaining metal debris and rough edges.

Once I completed this I returned to my clients place to check the fit... perfect! We talked about his install and I positioned the system for him with the main goal of having the hinges flat, the bridge plate nestled against the blow-back tabs and against the tailgate.

Shortly after, our client sent us these pictures with the words, "works flawlessly!"

In short, it should be very rare that this occurs, but if it does you can trim the bridge plate to accommodate for any bed post discrepancies that do not allow for a flat hinge install. For more pictures and information on this project click here.

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