Tailgate Seal by Digital Twin Development - install video

[jbethune]

ITS AWESOME

Digital Twin Developments Next Gen Ranger tailgate seal install 1 of 2

Sponsored

 

[ADVNTURR]

Thanks for the video. I've been looking at the same kit and this has sold me on it.

For the bulkhead I made a custom piece of L-Track that cover the holes. I didn't think to put any gasket material behind mine, but I may pull it off and place some behind it now that you mention it.

(Picture is from the test fit and drill process before I had it Line-X'd)

 

[Raptor3TT]

I have also just finished installing this seal. I only have 1 issue with it, but I knew about it before it arrived. Thanks to Chris from Digital Twin Developments for his awesome communication the moment I put in my order.

The only issue I had was the pad seal on the top, that you haven't put in yet. Not the one that goes under the bed rail cap. The pad that goes on top could have been bigger and allow us to cut it down to size. But it was not hard finding one that would work for me. This was done because of the different toppers that people have and everyone being different.

I would also like to give a suggestion to anyone who is using the plastic rivets to put in the bottom seal. (They removed the holes when they corrected the bed design for the braces... @Ford Motor Company you NEED to fix this for those of us with the defective beds.) The directions say to break them apart and use a drill bit and sand paper to take down the burrs. I broke them all apart and put them in separate piles to deburr. This was a mistake, they are NOT all the same size and when I tried to put the seal on I was unable to get the posts into the rivets. Make sure you keep the posts with the rivet that you broke it off from, that way they fit correctly.

Even though I had to source my own upper pad, I would still recommend getting this seal. It is more expensive than the other ones I was considering, but it is worth it in my opinion.

 

[RogueLobo]

I have also just finished installing this seal. I only have 1 issue with it, but I knew about it before it arrived. Thanks to Chris from Digital Twin Developments for his awesome communication the moment I put in my order.

The only issue I had was the pad seal on the top, that you haven't put in yet. Not the one that goes under the bed rail cap. The pad that goes on top could have been bigger and allow us to cut it down to size. But it was not hard finding one that would work for me. This was done because of the different toppers that people have and everyone being different.

I would also like to give a suggestion to anyone who is using the plastic rivets to put in the bottom seal. (They removed the holes when they corrected the bed design for the braces... @Ford Motor Company you NEED to fix this for those of us with the defective beds.) The directions say to break them apart and use a drill bit and sand paper to take down the burrs. I broke them all apart and put them in separate piles to deburr. This was a mistake, they are NOT all the same size and when I tried to put the seal on I was unable to get the posts into the rivets. Make sure you keep the posts with the rivet that you broke it off from, that way they fit correctly.

Even though I had to source my own upper pad, I would still recommend getting this seal. It is more expensive than the other ones I was considering, but it is worth it in my opinion.

Thanks for the tip! I recently ordered the kit.

 

[John E Davies]

This is great timing, thanks for the video. My kit is probably in CA by now, it shipped a week ago and seems to be taking its own sweet time. How long did it take to get yours?

I do have to caution, do NOT open up that shrink plastic with a knife, you risk cutting a seal. Use scissors carefully!

Please add another How To Seal The Bed video, I have heard that some Ranger owners shove a tennis ball in each of those huge forward top holes, with sealant. I don’t think it is at all necessary to remove the bed trim rails, it risks damage to the many clips, you can seal the top “stake pocket” covers after the shims have been installed, and then MASK WITH TAPE the outsides only, and run a bead of sealant along the bottom of each trim rail, forcing it deep into the big bottom gap using your index finger…. Once those two areas are sealed, there won’t be water getting under the caps, unless you decide to hose out the bed forcefully..,.

I tried and tried to find black SikaFlex, I won’t use the common White version intended for RV roofs, so I bought two large tubes of Permatex Black Silicone. (Automotive product). Any product you use must remain flexible and especially UV resistant.

John Davies
Spokane WA USA

 

[pablo94sc]

I shoved some foam pipe insulation (basically pool noodles) I had left over in the corners. I'm not sure how well it works since I've never tested it, but I get so little water and dust in the bed I have to assume it's working well enough.

As for tailgate kits, are any of these actually better than $20 of weatherstripping from Lowes? The reviews all seem kinda meh.

 

[Johnny 5]

ITS AWESOME

Digital Twin Developments Next Gen Ranger tailgate seal install 1 of 2

Cool ! I'm the one that started the first thread on the 1/4" gap around the whole tailgate. How do I get one of these kits ?

 

[jbethune]

Cool ! I'm the one that started the first thread on the 1/4" gap around the whole tailgate. How do I get one of these kits ?

Link in video description!

 

[Johnny 5]

Awesome! Thank you for sharing my friend!

 

[Yonder_MN]

Great video! I ordered a kit for mine, and both should show up about the same time from 'Down Under"!

 

[Yonder_MN]

Great video! I ordered a kit for mine, and both should show up about the same time from 'Down Under"!

Chris from Digital Twin Development (AU) (https://digitaltwin-developments.com/) dropped me an email asking about my vehicle to be sure I would get the correct product. I shared the video from above with him. He was very appreciative NAR Outdoors video. Friendly company to work with!

- Joe

 

[John E Davies]

I got hung up on my installation, my first order was lost in Germany for a month, Chris sent me a replacement way quick.

I can't figure out the stupid plastic rivets, NONE of my pins will push in, they just bend and snap off. This is very frustrating. I would prefer a more standardized type of push pun, but it has to have a really small diameter head, because the holes in the rubber strip are right next to the bulb. Any suggestions? Preferably from an online source in bulk.

Alternatively I would install 5mm steel threaded inserts and use machine screws, if I could figure out how to get the tailgate off. That remains a mystery.

FYI, the rubber seals in this kit are not "USA standard". they are just about impossible to find here in this exact size. OTH, the D seals can be replaced with a smaller size, and they won't wear out, because they are trapped between the brackets and the side of the bed. The other push-on seal, which is very vulnerable to damage, MIGHT work with a smaller replacement, I haven't tried it. If you are carrying rough cargo with the tailgate open, I suggest you just pull those two bulb seals off, so they don't get damaged.

Any help with the rivets would be appreciated. I am still waiting for Part 2 of the install video...

John Davies
Spokane WA USA

 

[jbethune]

I got hung up on my installation, my first order was lost in Germany for a month, Chris sent me a replacement way quick.

I can't figure out the stupid plastic rivets, NONE of my pins will push in, they just bend and snap off. This is very frustrating. I would prefer a more standardized type of push pun, but it has to have a really small diameter head, because the holes in the rubber strip are right next to the bulb. Any suggestions? Preferably from an online source in bulk.

Alternatively I would install 5mm steel threaded inserts and use machine screws, if I could figure out how to get the tailgate off. That remains a mystery.

FYI, the rubber seals in this kit are not "USA standard". they are just about impossible to find here in this exact size. OTH, the D seals can be replaced with a smaller size, and they won't wear out, because they are trapped between the brackets and the side of the bed. The other push-on seal, which is very vulnerable to damage, MIGHT work with a smaller replacement, I haven't tried it. If you are carrying rough cargo with the tailgate open, I suggest you just pull those two bulb seals off, so they don't get damaged.

Any help with the rivets would be appreciated. I am still waiting for Part 2 of the install video...

John Davies
Spokane WA USA

Camper install is next week so i'll be putting the bottom strip on soon! Will post here when i upload it.

 

[John E Davies]

I decided to screw the 19 dinky rivets, I am going to use a rubber strip across the gap, the bed side will be covered by my Bedrug Classic.

ESI Rok Block XL for Ranger

If I have to glue down a loose edge every now and then, it will be far easier than a bulb seal that has finicky fasteners. Plus a bulb seal collects sand and gravel which can damage the painted surfaces and hinge. I will start a brand new thread after installing it.

FYI they use a super tape which should perform well if applied correctly with 25 pounds force and moderate room temperature.

ALSO FYI, 3M VHB tapes are excellent, but you have to be sure that you get the genuine product, there are many counterfeits out there, some even say 3M, some just say M… LOL, at least the latter is easy to spot.

John Davies
Spokane WA USA

 

[Raptor3TT]

I got hung up on my installation, my first order was lost in Germany for a month, Chris sent me a replacement way quick.

I can't figure out the stupid plastic rivets, NONE of my pins will push in, they just bend and snap off. This is very frustrating. I would prefer a more standardized type of push pun, but it has to have a really small diameter head, because the holes in the rubber strip are right next to the bulb. Any suggestions? Preferably from an online source in bulk.

Alternatively I would install 5mm steel threaded inserts and use machine screws, if I could figure out how to get the tailgate off. That remains a mystery.

FYI, the rubber seals in this kit are not "USA standard". they are just about impossible to find here in this exact size. OTH, the D seals can be replaced with a smaller size, and they won't wear out, because they are trapped between the brackets and the side of the bed. The other push-on seal, which is very vulnerable to damage, MIGHT work with a smaller replacement, I haven't tried it. If you are carrying rough cargo with the tailgate open, I suggest you just pull those two bulb seals off, so they don't get damaged.

Any help with the rivets would be appreciated. I am still waiting for Part 2 of the install video...

John Davies
Spokane WA USA

That's how they are supposed to work. The pins get snapped off and then you push them through, after de-burring both the pin and the hole. Read my tip above and keep the pins with the rivet that you took if off of so it will fit correctly.

Sponsored