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.

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.

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

My 06 has the plastic bushing kit. Dorman sells them. I thought the pin was bolted on, if not you may be able to make a ford or chevy one work. From the look of the welds it looks like someone repaired them before.

maybe you can make these work

You should be able to get those through the local parts store using the Dorman #. That way you get them quick and don't have to pay summits extra charges.

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.

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

Poorboy,
Thanks for the added detail!

hi charger, there are plastic nylon bushings that go on both sides of the tailgate so there is no metal on metal. the drivers side all round bushing is part# 55276077AC. the pass side with the notch is part #55276076AD . they also use plastic washers to space out and tighten up the tailgate side to side "slop". the thin washers are part # 55276589AA and are about .021 thick. the thicker washers are part # 55276590AA and are about .052 thick. they never last in trucks that see sandy/dirty conditions, but they do work. I stock them . ronnie

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.

Looks like new, nice job!

So, those pins are bolt-in under the tail light somewhere?

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.