83 Tailgate cable issues

r1hatman · 02-10-2010, 01:48 PM

I've got and 83 that had a broke tailgate cable when I bought it. I got one from a junkyard like new for it. but when I went to put it on, where the bolt goes into the tailgate, there is nothing there for it to screw into. Does anyone have a diagram of the tailgate latch assembly(on the sides), or know what that bolt screws into? And if something has dropped down in the tailgate, how in the world to get it out.

Thanks

RobbieD · 02-10-2010, 04:28 PM

The original nuts for the latch are crimped on the corners to grip the tailgate sheetmetal. But over time they come loose and fall out, usually down into the inside of the gate. Here's the original setup:

On first generation trucks, you can only work through the hole created by removing the center unlatching handle; and you can't really get nuts over to the latch bolts.

The best fix I've found is to remove the original square nut-serts, and then alter the square holes, by adding a slot, like this:

And then recontouring the metal a little bit so that you can now use clip-in nuts, like this:

It's not that hard to make this modification, and now you can replace the nut clips easily if it's ever needed. Otherwise, once the factory nuts break loose, you're screwed.

If the original broken nuts are still in the gate, you'll have to dump them out through the removed handle hole, or fish them out with a magnet pickup tool.

Hope this helps, and good luck.

r1hatman · 02-10-2010, 05:25 PM

Man, that is awesome thanks!

RobbieD · 02-10-2010, 05:29 PM

Glad it helps; good luck with it.

dock83 · 02-10-2010, 05:43 PM

Cool tip I did this a few times and spot welded the nuts back in place but it dont last. What a good idea I should hace thought of that. Next time for sure.

r1hatman · 02-10-2010, 06:09 PM

I'll do that as soon as it get above freezing here.

02-10-2010, 01:48 PM	#1
r1hatman Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Knoxville, TN Year: 1983 Make: ford Model: ranger 4x4 Engine: 2.8 Class: 4x4 Used For: daily driver Posts: 1,936 Rep Power: 10 iTrader: (1)	83 Tailgate cable issues I've got and 83 that had a broke tailgate cable when I bought it. I got one from a junkyard like new for it. but when I went to put it on, where the bolt goes into the tailgate, there is nothing there for it to screw into. Does anyone have a diagram of the tailgate latch assembly(on the sides), or know what that bolt screws into? And if something has dropped down in the tailgate, how in the world to get it out. Thanks __________________ R1hatman
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02-10-2010, 04:28 PM	#2
RobbieD Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Georgia Year: 1984,1990,1994 Make: Ford Model: Ranger, Bronco II Class: 2WD Posts: 1,348 Rep Power: 14 iTrader: (0)	The original nuts for the latch are crimped on the corners to grip the tailgate sheetmetal. But over time they come loose and fall out, usually down into the inside of the gate. Here's the original setup: On first generation trucks, you can only work through the hole created by removing the center unlatching handle; and you can't really get nuts over to the latch bolts. The best fix I've found is to remove the original square nut-serts, and then alter the square holes, by adding a slot, like this: And then recontouring the metal a little bit so that you can now use clip-in nuts, like this: It's not that hard to make this modification, and now you can replace the nut clips easily if it's ever needed. Otherwise, once the factory nuts break loose, you're screwed. If the original broken nuts are still in the gate, you'll have to dump them out through the removed handle hole, or fish them out with a magnet pickup tool. Hope this helps, and good luck. __________________ Current: 1994 Ranger XLT SuperCab 4x2, 2.3L / M5OD. Stock, 365,000 miles. 1990 Bronco II XLT 4x2, 2.9L / A4LD. Stock, 129,00 miles. 1984 Ranger 4x2 lwb, 2.8L / C3. Stock, 148,000 miles. Past: 1985, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1992 (all bought new). Ranger-only driver for 22 years. TRS member since 3/18/2005.
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02-10-2010, 05:25 PM	#3
r1hatman Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Knoxville, TN Year: 1983 Make: ford Model: ranger 4x4 Engine: 2.8 Class: 4x4 Used For: daily driver Posts: 1,936 Rep Power: 10 iTrader: (1)	Man, that is awesome thanks! __________________ R1hatman
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02-10-2010, 05:29 PM	#4
RobbieD Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Georgia Year: 1984,1990,1994 Make: Ford Model: Ranger, Bronco II Class: 2WD Posts: 1,348 Rep Power: 14 iTrader: (0)	Glad it helps; good luck with it. __________________ Current: 1994 Ranger XLT SuperCab 4x2, 2.3L / M5OD. Stock, 365,000 miles. 1990 Bronco II XLT 4x2, 2.9L / A4LD. Stock, 129,00 miles. 1984 Ranger 4x2 lwb, 2.8L / C3. Stock, 148,000 miles. Past: 1985, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1992 (all bought new). Ranger-only driver for 22 years. TRS member since 3/18/2005.
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02-10-2010, 05:43 PM	#5
dock83 Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Newfoundland Canada Year: 1994 Make: Mazada Model: B4000 4x4 Engine: 4.0 Class: 4x4 2" Suspension lift coli spring spacers Used For: Work and Play Posts: 81 Rep Power: 7 iTrader: (0)	Cool tip I did this a few times and spot welded the nuts back in place but it dont last. What a good idea I should hace thought of that. Next time for sure. __________________ If it an't broke brake it so you can fix it.
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02-10-2010, 06:09 PM	#6
r1hatman Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Knoxville, TN Year: 1983 Make: ford Model: ranger 4x4 Engine: 2.8 Class: 4x4 Used For: daily driver Posts: 1,936 Rep Power: 10 iTrader: (1)	I'll do that as soon as it get above freezing here. __________________ R1hatman
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