loose bolts on tailgate latch... and bolt sizes

[Dabba]

My truck dosnt have a tailgate on it, though i got one with it when i bought it. One of the bolts is just loose for the bracket mounts. Like it dangles in the hole and it just turns, something is attached to the other end and i dont know how im gonna get it out or what its suppose to screw into? Any ideas? i might be able to access it though the taillight lense after i remove it? it looks very hard to get behind there. What are my options, id like to get a tailgate on this truck for use thursday and then after i get it repainted id like to keep it on the truck. And does anyone know if the bolt sizes for the latch brackets and the base mounting brackets are the same? i was thinking i can take a bolt out and go to home depot cause im missing the bolts for the base mounts. I can get em from lmc but i need them for thursday, as well as this bolt problem, any ideas, thanks...

 

[Dabba]

bump

 

[dremu]

I'm gonna assume we're talking about a pickup, and the hinge is on the side?

On Blazers/Burbs the hinges go on the bottom, you see.

I think what's happened is that the nut your hinge bolts into ... has busted loose. It should be welded to the inside edge of the bed there. Yeah, removing the tail light would be best -- eight screws, pretty easy.

I've no clue what size hardware it is off the top of my head, and I'm not immediately clear on what mounts you're talking about. A pic would be muy helpful, or point to something on the LMC site, like #13 or #14 below?

http://www.lmctruck.com/ICATALOG/CC/full.aspx?Page=26

-- A

 

[Dabba]

yeah 13 is loose, whole bolt just turns and wobbles, since its suppsed to be welded idk how im gonna fix that..

 

[dremu]

yeah 13 is loose, whole bolt just turns and wobbles, since its suppsed to be welded idk how im gonna fix that..

Well, first is to get the old one off. I'd get new hardware or at least run a tap and die down the old ones, clean up the threads, and then JB Weld the new nut onto the back. Won't hold it there so well in and of itself, but at least would make it easier if you do occasionally remove the bolt.

-- A

 

[onetonbb74]

put some needle nose vice grips on the nut that is on the backside, then skrew the bolt down and remove the vice clamps. If you can get a welder in there, you can tack weld it in place, but the vice grips should hold it until the bolt is tight. If the hinges are from an 86, they should be the removal gate hinge unlike my 74 where you have to remove the brackets just to get the gate off every time.

 

[Dabba]

well like i said, i only wanna use it once then wait to i get it repainted and then ill leave it on