1. Remove tailgate by disconnecting the tether cable and lifting the tailgate out at approximately a 45º angle. (Reference the truck’s Owner’s manual)
2. Carefully remove the OEM tailgate pivot cups from the tailgate taking note of which side they belong on.
3. Remove tether bolt. A special wrench may be required.
4. Remove latch pin bolt. A special wrench may be required.
5. Figures 1 through 5 show the three styles of TireGates
6. Install the supplied pivot cups and the right and left OEM pivot cups in the left and right side uprights. See Figure 6.
7. Slide the torque tube onto the left and right upright mount. See Figure 1.
8. With the left and right uprights pushed in on the torque tube, install onto the pivot cups and install the torque tube bolts and washer, 4 places (M10X70MM bolt , washer and lock nut) to keep the uprights from turning. DO NOT tighten lock nuts yet. See Figure 1.
9. Due to truck manufacturing tolerances, it may be necessary to loosen the bolts attaching the truck’s tail gate pivot pin(s) to properly locate the TireGate’s left and right uprights. See Figure 6.
10. Start the top uprights bolts (M10×100m), washer and support washer (the support washer goes in between the truck and the up rights) and the lower upright bolts (M10×100mm). DO NOT tighten the bolts.
NOTE: To mount the TireGate in the inboard direction, install the latch pin cable bracket on the left side lower bolt. For the outboard direction, install on the right side location. See Figure 6.
11. Pull both the left and right uprights in while tightening the 4 torque tube bolts. M10X70MM torque to 30-35 ft/lbs.
12. Tighten the 2 left and right upright bolts. M10 torque to 35-38 ft/lbs.
13. If necessary, tighten the bolts securing the truck’s tail gate pivot pin(s) to factory specs.
14. Install bushings on the TireGate. The slotted bushing will be installed on the latch pin side and positioned so the slot is across the truck. The pivot bushing will be installed on the hinge side of the TireGate. See Figure 1.
15. Lift the gate and install both latch pins to hold gate in position to assist in assembly.
16. To install black plastic thrust washers, hold them on the top and the bottom of the gate as you slide the gate into the upper and lower clevises. Insert M10X100M hex bolts (Note: Grease the shaft of the bolt before installation. Do not grease the trust washers) Tighten just enough to take the slack out of the bolts and then torque to 18-22 ft/lbs. DO NOT over tighten the lock nuts.
17. Install spare tire using the Y bar and safety cable as shown in Figure 7.
NOTE: The VT Series TireGate can be mounted in the OUTBOARD configuration ONLY and does not utilize the TireGate Y bar to secure the spare tire. Spare tire must be mounted using the supplied lug nuts and studs.
WARNING MAXIMUM SPARE TIRE WEIGHT ON THE TIREGATE MUST NOT EXCEED 150 LBS.
18. Latch safety cable to the Y bar handle and the TireGate using the supplied safety shackle as shown in Figure 7. A pad lock (customer supplied) may be added with the supplied safety shackle for added security
19. Tighten the Y bar until the tire is drawn securely to the TireGate.
CAUTION DO NOT over tighten the draw bolt. You can damage the tire support bracket.
20. Make sure all bolts are tight before operating the vehicle.
21. Recheck all fasteners after 4-8 hours of use (1 hour if off-road). Check TireGate as a normal part of your truck maintenance.
Please note that all TireGate series mount to the truck in the same manner. All will use the same installation instructions.

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