1st Gen tailgate repair.

[DandysRanger]

Hey Gang, I need to repair the tailgate latch on my 85 Ranger. Not sure what size/type of bolt goes in here but I know the head is a Torx. Do I have to remove the entire latch assembly or... It doesn't appear there is anything for the bolt to screw into. Thanks

 

[RonD]

LMC Truck is a good place to look for Ranger parts like that

Look here: http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/fr/full.aspx?Page=23

 

[DandysRanger]

Thanks RonD. I am going to order the bolts and the tailgate latch.
I am assuming I can access everything thru the rear tailgate handle?

 

[RonD]

You take off the access panel on inside of the tailgate

 

[DandysRanger]

There is no access panel on the tailgate inside or outside.

 

[saskbill]

Theres's some nuts tack-welded inside the tailgate for the bolts to screw into (when new).

Over time and disassembly a few years later after rusting, the nuts tear loose and full down inside. No way to repair that I know of (threaded insert maybe if it's just one nut?)

Only I ever found to work was go looking for another tailgate...

 

[Bird76Mojo]

One extremely large pop rivet or use a nut-sert: https://www.google.com/search?q=nut...ibLdAhXK6oMKHX-sA0sQ_AUICygC&biw=1366&bih=669

Another solution might be to drill two or three small holes on each side of the bolt hole for later plug welding. Then remove all of the hardware, insert a very long threaded rod into the gate. Once you can reach the end of the rod via the center handle opening, put your new nut on it. Pull it back through until the nut bottoms out. Then weld that nut using the two or three small holes you drilled earlier. Grind welds nearly flush and paint.



GB

 

[DandysRanger]

One extremely large pop rivet or use a nut-sert: https://www.google.com/search?q=nut...ibLdAhXK6oMKHX-sA0sQ_AUICygC&biw=1366&bih=669

Another solution might be to drill two or three small holes on each side of the bolt hole for later plug welding. Then remove all of the hardware, insert a very long threaded rod into the gate. Once you can reach the end of the rod via the center handle opening, put your new nut on it. Pull it back through until the nut bottoms out. Then weld that nut using the two or three small holes you drilled earlier. Grind welds nearly flush and paint.



GB

Thanks GB. I think I'll try a rivet nut first and if that doesn't work out I'll do as you suggest with the plug welds.

 

[Bird76Mojo]

Those are all solutions that I'd try myself, so hopefully you have good luck with them. You might have to find a shop to install a nut-sert for you as the install tool and/or kit may be cost prohibitive.

GB

Thanks GB. I think I'll try a rivet nut first and if that doesn't work out I'll do as you suggest with the plug welds.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Theres's some nuts tack-welded inside the tailgate for the bolts to screw into (when new).

Over time and disassembly a few years later after rusting, the nuts tear loose and full down inside. No way to repair that I know of (threaded insert maybe if it's just one nut?)

Only I ever found to work was go looking for another tailgate...

Mine tore away the metal the nut fastens to, not much left to work with aside from weld in new metal and start over or a different tailgate.

 

[DandysRanger]

Those are all solutions that I'd try myself, so hopefully you have good luck with them. You might have to find a shop to install a nut-sert for you as the install tool and/or kit may be cost prohibitive.

GB

I've installed these with just a bolt and a couple of nuts. I'm going to see if I can get them with the correct thread size. I know I can get them in 10mm w/1.5 pitch.
I'll post the results.

 

[DandysRanger]

Well... fixed it sort of.
I found the old bolt and nut that had broken off inside. The other nut on the same side was also broken out of its spot.
I tried to do this by just taking out the left side latch but without taking the entire assembly out I decided to cut an access hole. That did it.

Working fine now. In hindsight I suppose I could have taken out all the bolts on both sides and the handle, fixed the nuts and then fished the latches and handles back to where they go... but this worked. Now I just need to weld up the hole.