99 Ram tailgate hinge repair
#2225082
01/01/17 09:31 PM
01/01/17 09:31 PM
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 284 Bennett, Colorado
Charger69RT8
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The "pins" welded to the bed side are shot. Bushings were gone when I got the pickup 15 years ago and didn't know it was supposed to have any. All these years later the "pins" are really worn and I've not found a source for replacements.
Does anyone know of a source or a good start to fabricate new ones. I've found sources for the pieces that bolt to the tailgate and the bushings. Been putting this repair off for several years, but need to get it done.
Pictures attached.
2012 Challenger SRT 2012 Charger SXT AWD 69 Charger R/T 78 Chrysler New Yorker 440CI 89 Dodge Daytona ES 2.5L Turbo 99 Ram 2500 4X4 5.9L6
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Re: 99 Ram tailgate hinge repair
[Re: Charger69RT8]
#2225107
01/01/17 10:20 PM
01/01/17 10:20 PM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 6,018 Salem
Grizzly
Moparts Proctologist
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Moparts Proctologist
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Salem
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That's a simple fix for a Welder.
About 15 minutes a side to build it back up and grind flush.
If you know anyone who is handy with a welder, give 'em $50 and I'm sure they will do it for you.
Mo' Farts
Moderated by "tbagger".
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Re: 99 Ram tailgate hinge repair
[Re: Charger69RT8]
#2225178
01/01/17 11:47 PM
01/01/17 11:47 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,644 Freeport IL USA
poorboy
I Live Here
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I Live Here
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Freeport IL USA
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I've never seen these bushings you are referring to that were missing, Any I've ever seen were always metal on metal.
To me it looks like you may want to replace the piece of metal the pin is welded to, on the box side as well. I would fab new pins, and weld them to a new piece of 18 gauge that is in the shape of that flat part the pin is welded to, from about an inch above the pin to the bottom of that flat. Then cut out the old piece and weld the new piece onto the box side and the inside brace, grind it smooth, then paint it to match the box. I'm not sure that can be done without removing the rear bumper.
This is a pretty standard fix on old pickup trucks, of all brands. Not including the bumper removal (if it needs to be done) and the painting, the whole process takes about an hour per side.
If the flat piece the pin is welded to is too weak, it will allow the pin to drupe down under the tailgate weight, causing the pin to wear prematurely. Gene
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Re: 99 Ram tailgate hinge repair
[Re: Charger69RT8]
#2226670
01/03/17 10:41 PM
01/03/17 10:41 PM
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 284 Bennett, Colorado
Charger69RT8
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Thanks to all for the input. I have welders and can handle that part of it. Was just looking for ideas and other's thoughts, which I got and is appreciated.
Grizzly, I could weld it but they are hollow and what is left is already worn through on the drivers side.
Poorboy, Sounds like you've done this more than once. The flat plate seems to be solid still. Do you fabricate from round stock or flat? A quick measurement looks like some 1/2" flat stock would work. Then grind the rounds in.
mopars4ever, The previous repair was done when I bought it and always thought it was done poorly. While in there I plan on fixing some of those bad welds. I had found the bushing kits. The pins may be bolted on your 06, welded on my 99. Even though I never had the bushings on my 99, bought used in 01, Dorman list them for a 99. Don't know for sure the 99's came with them.
69 charger man, I had seen those for the GM's and had the same thought as you, but will have to check a local supply to see if they would work dimensionally.
Stumpy, Your're right. A quick google shows several autoparts chains carry them.
2012 Challenger SRT 2012 Charger SXT AWD 69 Charger R/T 78 Chrysler New Yorker 440CI 89 Dodge Daytona ES 2.5L Turbo 99 Ram 2500 4X4 5.9L6
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Re: 99 Ram tailgate hinge repair
[Re: Charger69RT8]
#2226716
01/03/17 11:19 PM
01/03/17 11:19 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,644 Freeport IL USA
poorboy
I Live Here
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I Live Here
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Freeport IL USA
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Charger69rt8, years ago I bought a 36" long piece of double D steering shaft, I cut a short chunk off of it for each pin, and it works really well with a short piece of 1" pipe on the box side, with the notch cut out of it on the left side. None of the older trucks had any bushings, they were all metal on metal. I polished the metal surfaces with a flap disc, and gave everything a light coating of white molly grease.
The bolt on GM brackets were OK, but usually by the time the pieces were shot, the bolts nearly always broke off. I usually ended up welding the bolt on pieces back on, if the flat pieces were good enough to weld to. Gene
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Re: 99 Ram tailgate hinge repair
[Re: poorboy]
#2226858
01/04/17 01:32 AM
01/04/17 01:32 AM
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 284 Bennett, Colorado
Charger69RT8
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Poorboy, Thanks for the added detail!
2012 Challenger SRT 2012 Charger SXT AWD 69 Charger R/T 78 Chrysler New Yorker 440CI 89 Dodge Daytona ES 2.5L Turbo 99 Ram 2500 4X4 5.9L6
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Re: 99 Ram tailgate hinge repair
[Re: 1969ronnie]
#2365410
09/04/17 08:44 PM
09/04/17 08:44 PM
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 284 Bennett, Colorado
Charger69RT8
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An update for anybody who finds themselves in the same situation. I was able to get replacement pivot brackets (bolt on tailgate), latches, stiker pins, and bushing from a u-pull-it yard. Got lucky and found a fairly low mileage '97 with a front end hit and tailgate items had minimal wear.
I also found the "pivot pins" on line from various sites like Moparpartsoverstock.com but ultimately bought them through Amazon because of free freight. With other vendors the freight was as much or more than the purchase. Part number is 55275016.
One shown below installed. Second pic is with bushing on it.
2012 Challenger SRT 2012 Charger SXT AWD 69 Charger R/T 78 Chrysler New Yorker 440CI 89 Dodge Daytona ES 2.5L Turbo 99 Ram 2500 4X4 5.9L6
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Re: 99 Ram tailgate hinge repair
[Re: Charger69RT8]
#2365595
09/05/17 01:41 AM
09/05/17 01:41 AM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 6,018 Salem
Grizzly
Moparts Proctologist
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Moparts Proctologist
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 6,018
Salem
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Looks like new, nice job! So, those pins are bolt-in under the tail light somewhere?
Last edited by Grizzly; 09/05/17 01:42 AM.
Mo' Farts
Moderated by "tbagger".
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Re: 99 Ram tailgate hinge repair
[Re: Grizzly]
#2365911
09/05/17 05:26 PM
09/05/17 05:26 PM
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 284 Bennett, Colorado
Charger69RT8
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Weld in, on tailight side. I ground the original weld off and then used a die grinder with a rotary file to finish it up so I could preserve the original holes.
2012 Challenger SRT 2012 Charger SXT AWD 69 Charger R/T 78 Chrysler New Yorker 440CI 89 Dodge Daytona ES 2.5L Turbo 99 Ram 2500 4X4 5.9L6
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