The Ford Barn

Krylon32 · 04-24-2024, 04:24 PM

Me again. I'm probably expecting to much. When I got the 32 pickup the male and female dove tails were showing their age. First I tried Drake male and female dovetails and they worked for a while then the door started to rattle again. I then tried United Pacific male and female dovetails. The males are adjustable and seem more substantial than Drakes. The females seem to be like Drakes. Both manufacturers seem to allow the doors to move up and down after a 1000+ miles causing a rattle. I've moved the strikers in as far as I dare and still have the doors close without slamming them really hard. Did the original dovetails do a better job than the repros?

Karl Wescott · 04-25-2024, 09:09 AM

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Drake and Vintique male dovetails are essentially the same. Flimsy.

Are the male dovetails showing signs of wear or distortion? Are the female dovetails showing signs of wear or "falling apart"? Are the door bumpers fresh and flexible? Is the lower bumper making contact just before the door latches (having to slightly flex the door when latching is the "old school" trick to minimize rattles, that my dad taught me). I think because experiencing only a transitory fix with the dovetails you need to look beyond them for the root cause or causes.

04-24-2024, 04:24 PM	#1
Krylon32 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 4,496	32 Ford Female Dovetails. Me again. I'm probably expecting to much. When I got the 32 pickup the male and female dove tails were showing their age. First I tried Drake male and female dovetails and they worked for a while then the door started to rattle again. I then tried United Pacific male and female dovetails. The males are adjustable and seem more substantial than Drakes. The females seem to be like Drakes. Both manufacturers seem to allow the doors to move up and down after a 1000+ miles causing a rattle. I've moved the strikers in as far as I dare and still have the doors close without slamming them really hard. Did the original dovetails do a better job than the repros?

04-25-2024, 09:09 AM	#2
Karl Wescott Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 1,292	Re: 32 Ford Female Dovetails. Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Drake and Vintique male dovetails are essentially the same. Flimsy. Are the male dovetails showing signs of wear or distortion? Are the female dovetails showing signs of wear or "falling apart"? Are the door bumpers fresh and flexible? Is the lower bumper making contact just before the door latches (having to slightly flex the door when latching is the "old school" trick to minimize rattles, that my dad taught me). I think because experiencing only a transitory fix with the dovetails you need to look beyond them for the root cause or causes.