Tailgate question

[90cnfranger]

Im sure this is not in the correct forum board, if so feel free to move this post. So this weekend I got some support cables for my 1990 ranger tailgate. In the process of removing the bolt to slide the support cable on , the nut I'm assuming that was welded to the tailgate for the bolt to screw in broke off. It's not part of the handle but the latch part on the ends of the tailgate. Do they make a retainer clip or something I place in this now open hole where once this bolt screwed in to the tailgate. I'll apologize. If I could get pics to show what I'm explaining it would be better but in able to.

 

[tomw]

From what I remember, it is a 'shoulder bolt' that retains the cable end, tight, it still allows the cable to swivel. I had one side come loose due to corrosion, I think, and I used something(finger?) to hold the nut in place, barely, while I started the bolt.
I think I took the nut & bolt and cleaned up the threads so they would screw together readily without trouble. That allowed me to have the nut held by a fingertip, and start the bolt. Once started, the nut was drawn into a square hole(I think) that retained it, and kept it from turning as I tightened the bolt.
FWIW, the older cable ends are different in diameter from any currently available replacements, and will fall off the original bolts. I think 1987 was the 'change' year, but don't bet too many donuts.
To get the thing to go back together you must have some patience as you'll likely drop the nut out of place a couple times before getting it to stay long enough to start the threads, but it can be done.
tom

 

[90cnfranger]

Thanks. One side never had a bolt in it from I guess my dad year's back messing with it. I got all the correct bolts but wasn't sure if there was something else I was missing. As you said it's just an open square hole. I guess I will get a nut that fits the bolt and the hole and go from there.