How to install Extruded Solutions' Tailgate Seal with Taper Seal®
ITEMS REQUIRED: Scissors, clean rag and soap solution.
Extreme temperatures will result in poor adhesive performance. Apply only if air and surface temperature is between 55° - 105°F (13° - 40°C). Avoid touching adhesive after peeling off red liner. Repositioning of seal should not be done more than 2 times and only 1 time if the temperature is above 80°F (13°C).
Click on photo for an enlarged view
RAM with RamBox 2019 and newer with New Body Style
Clean area thoroughly with soap and water solution and wipe completely dry. Use alcohol pad to prep the tape application
area and let dry. Wait until after Tailgate Seal is installed before applying very firm pressure, to secure adhesive bond. If necessary, Tailgate Seal can
be removed and repositioned prior to applying very firm pressure (25lbs.).Pictures shown below are for the left sidewall and tailgate gap.
Step 2: Attaching to sidewalls
Start 1” (2.5cm) below truck bed floor and attach seal to the rear corner edge of the left sidewall extension (FIG 2A). Continue up sidewall, approximately 8” (20cm) to rubber stop, flush seal to bottom of rubber stop and cut to fit (FIG 2B). Continue up from the top of rubber stop, approximately 7.5” (19cm) and flush seal to next rubber stop and cut to fit (FIG 2C). Apply light pressure to adhesive. Duplicate for right sidewall.
STEP 3: Attaching Rectangle shaped Seal horizontally to top of tailgate
Note: For 2500 and 3500 models, with smaller gaps, attach Standard Tailgate Seal, bulb side up, horizontally to top of tailgate (not pictured).
Measure the distance from the sidewall to the tonneau cover. Cut this length from piece of rectangle seal and peel away liner. Position seal between sidewall and tonneau cover and flush top of seal with top of sidewall (FIG 3A ). Apply light pressure to adhesive. Duplicate for right sidewall.
STEP 4: Two options - Attaching to top of sidewall OR top of tailgate
There are two options for positioning the Large Tailgate Seal with Taper Seal®. Use Option 1 if the inside surface of tailgate has no liner nor cover panel or choose Option 2 if the inside surface of tailgate has a liner or cover panel.
Option 1 (FIG 4A): Attaching to top of sidewall
Measure distance from top of rubber stop to underside of rectangle shaped horizontal seal. Cut this length from piece of Large Tailgate Seal and position as shown in FIG 4A. Apply light pressure to adhesive. Duplicate for right side.
Option 2 (FIG 4B): Attaching to top of tailgate
Measure distance from top of rubber stop to underside of rectangle shaped horizontal seal. Cut this length from piece of Large Tailgate Seal and position as shown in FIG 4B and 4C. Apply light pressure to adhesive. Duplicate for right side.
STEP 5: Attaching to tailgate gap (FIG 5A)
To evaluate the best positioning for the tailgate gap, cut a 1” (2.5cm) test piece and align the top of bulb with the truck bed floor. Stand to the side of truck and raise tailgate until bulb makes contact with tailgate.
NOTE: Compression and/or slight rolling of the bulb is okay, however, if the bulb rolls downwards too much as the tailgate is closing and you can see the tape, then seal has rolled too much. This can cause added stress on the adhesive and possible separation.
If you see that the bulb is rolling too much then invert 1” test piece so that bulb side is down. Raise tailgate and make sure no light is visible through the 1” piece. Adjust 1” piece higher or lower to seal out the light.
After determining if the bulb should be up or down and how high or low, remove 1” piece and pick up one end of the continuous seal. Start at either end, peel back a section of liner and flush to seal on the sidewall.
Attach in sections and apply light pressure to adhesive should you need to reposition. Flush to seal on the other sidewall and cut to fit. Apply very firm pressure (25 lbs) to secure adhesive bond.
Step 6
Close tailgate. If you see light through the sidewalls, make small adjustments by removing the seal and repositioning. If there is still light then cut pieces of seal, as needed, and attach to the sidewalls and/or tailgate. Do not attach adhesive to seal. Open tailgate.
Step 7
After seal is in place apply very firm pressure (25lbs.) to secure the entire adhesive bond. Leave tailgate open for 30 minutes. If the air temperature will fall below 50°F (10°C) within the next 24 hours or, if seal is attached to a spray on bed liner, then leave tailgate open for 24 hrs.
Inside views showing left side of tailgate when closed