How can I shorten the tailgate cables?

This may be a dumb question, but I've done a lot of searching and I cannot find anything.

I have a hitch mount bike rack that sits just high enough that if I open my tailgate while it's on, the tailgate will hit and get scratched/dented. I need to shorten the tailgate cables by just about half an inch so that it won't hit and can hold the normal weight without crashing down onto the bike rack.

Any ideas? I thought maybe I'd just be able to order a shorter one online, but anything I find seems to be just to replace the stock cables. I don't want chains or anything that would prevent me from closing the gate.

The main reason for needing this is that our dogs will be in the back of the truck and I'd like to put the tailgate down to let them out without having to take the bike rack off.

 

This may fit with modification 11.4" long instead of 12.6" stock: https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=584316

It's listed as for 2000-2006 Tundras. Only $8 ea., cheaper than any place that would swage a custom cable.

 

Don’t be that guy that drives around with a bike rack that doesn’t have a bike on it

 

Here you go and useful for many other things:

Credit: YF_Ryan

I left off the '@' since he is probably getting tired of me tagging him for these. Haha!

 

Perhaps make a small loop and use a crimp?

 

Have you considered a hitch extender that pushes the rack out a little further? That might give you enough clearance and would be better than having short cables.

 

Haha no we wouldn't!

I did see this already, I'm thinking you can't close the tailgate with those chains? I want to be able to close it and just not have it open all the way when I need to open it.

Not sure why I didn't even think of getting a different cable. Something like this could be perfect.

 

I'll have to check out how far I'd have to push this out. I just wouldn't want it sticking out too far either as right now it's pretty much perfect. Honestly didn't know these things existed. New to trucks and using a hitch!

 

It takes less than 30sec to install / remove the chains. Yes though, the chains have to be removed to close the TG.

 

If you know what length you need, you might be able to find a replacement strap/cable from a different vehicle. Dorman makes a ton. Alternatively, I see a few people have replaced the cables with two pieces of barstock with a pivot point in the middle. If you make your own out of bar stock, you can make it open to any length you want.

 

You can get an adapter that will drop (or raise) your hitch by a little. Here is one example:

https://www.worldwidecyclery.com/pr...MIlt-og_vW6QIVAcDICh0mbwWvEAQYEyABEgIZcfD_BwE

 

This looks great! It might be exactly what I need.

Thanks all for the suggestions! I think I've got some good options to look into.

 

beat me to it

 

There was a guy here that installed a bolt on each side near the tailgate latch and he looped the cable under the bolt to hold it up but so it wouldn’t be all the way down.

 

Have a look at Gate King, The tail gate adjuster.

 

Kind of an expensive option for a minor issue.

 

Has anyone tried the shorter 2000-2006 Tundra cables? Do they fit?

 

Who needs a bike rack when you have a truck? Just throw the bike in the bed

 

You might get them from the same place GM does. They have them too short from the factory. The tailgate doesn't open flat with the bed. I think it is to make it more difficult to slide stuff out of the bed. Most GM truck owners wouldn't notice this of course since they don't use the truck as a truck.
But for a solution for your problem, maybe a semi hard foam placed on the bike rack will protect the tailgate? Then you don't have to deal with the GM problem when you're using the bed.