Tail gate hinge retainers

[James Morse]

1997 Ford Ranger Tailgate Hinge Insert 4 Piece Set TRQ BDA64638 (1aauto.com)

I thought these would be hard to find but no.
When I took off tail gate to replace left latch I noticed these were getting shot.

 

[Josh B]

Did you get the bonus item? It's a cool laser parker

 

[James Morse]

no.... it still costs money
shop is 24x32 so plenty of room for 2 vehicles but door is only 10' wide so really only one convenient bay.
I have put 2 vehicles in it but it's a nightmare, you have to pull one all the way up and even then it's dicey

 

[Josh B]

I doubt it's worth much anyway. I didn't even use but half of my tailgate insert kit but thinking they work on either side and only one side had gone bad.

I had a neighbor that asked me to chaufer her to the doctor now and then and she had a tennis ball hanging from the ceiling that didn't work well either.

 

[James Morse]

It should have the four pieces which is two each side. Yup I realize I probably could have got away with just the right side but might as well put all new assuming they fit and are better than what's there.
Just seemed easy to find, contrary to some other stuff like cruise that is hard to locate.
Tennis ball sounds like a good idea, I guess. It's just a problem I never run into.

 

[Curious Hound]

Just seemed easy to find, contrary to some other stuff like cruise that is hard to locate.

It's a much more common wear item. It's probably the same set of parts for the F series trucks fir many years. I think the last set I bought was Dorman brand from a local parts store.

 

[James Morse]

I wish they took that same approach with cruise controls. Every old Ranger I've ever looked at, they were worn out. Heck of a time to get them at any reasonable price. I have some on order, they are supposed to be correct but who knows. Speaking of parts, I'm looking for the little rubber bumpers for the doors. Seems like they are kind of universal to the mfg but can't tell. Nickel/dime part. I just hate ordering stuff that "might" fit.... usually they don't.

 

[James Morse]

I only used one of the four parts. As Josh said you don't need the rectangular pieces they are for another application. They are the size of the r.h. truck side but they don't fit there at all.

I didn't replace the left side pivot insert because the plastic was sound and there was no play in it. Looks like the new part is just a cup and I can't tell if the oem part has a backing of rubber or if that is a separate part. Anyway it's working so I didn't mess with it.

When you think about it, kind of expensive for using only one little part.