Tail gate latch plates cut off?
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Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 141
Likes: 0
From: Reno NV
Tail gate latch plates cut off?
WTF is up with this!? I pulled the camper off of the 77 with the intention of putting the tailgate and hardware I picked up from the salvage yard on...and was met with this...
It appears whoever "removed" the old latch plates figured "remove bolts like any other level headed individual?"
So they decided to just cut out a chunk of the surrounding steel on each side...
So what are my options here? Should I just have the latch plates welded on? Or have a special patch with threaded inserts made up and welded in?
Kinda pissed something as simple as putting a tail gate on is turning into a project.
It appears whoever "removed" the old latch plates figured "remove bolts like any other level headed individual?"
So they decided to just cut out a chunk of the surrounding steel on each side...
So what are my options here? Should I just have the latch plates welded on? Or have a special patch with threaded inserts made up and welded in?
Kinda pissed something as simple as putting a tail gate on is turning into a project.
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
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From: Simi Valley, CA
WTF is up with this!? I pulled the camper off of the 77 with the intention of putting the tailgate and hardware I picked up from the salvage yard on...and was met with this...
It appears whoever "removed" the old latch plates figured "remove bolts like any other level headed individual?"
So they decided to just cut out a chunk of the surrounding steel on each side...
It appears whoever "removed" the old latch plates figured "remove bolts like any other level headed individual?"
So they decided to just cut out a chunk of the surrounding steel on each side...
Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,052
Likes: 2
From: Alvarado, TX
I would cut out a pair of plates, drill properly spaced holes in them then weld nuts to the backsides of them. Then weld the plates in place to patch the holes and attach the strikers to. The most difficult part however, would be properly aligning the strikers so that the latches engage them.
Tuned
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 387
Likes: 25
The bolts that normally hold the strikers on have Phillips heads don't they? I am to guess that somebody either:
A. Didn't have a big enough Phillips bit.
B. Damaged the screw heads so badly that they would never come out.
C. Couldn't break the screws loose.
Why use the right tool when the wrong one will do? It sucks when you have to clean up somebody else's mess.
A. Didn't have a big enough Phillips bit.
B. Damaged the screw heads so badly that they would never come out.
C. Couldn't break the screws loose.
Why use the right tool when the wrong one will do? It sucks when you have to clean up somebody else's mess.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2007
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From: Alvarado, TX
They sure are. That's why I suggested welding nuts to the backs of the patch plates. Voila, (or however the heck you spell it) captured nuts. Using deformed thread lock nuts would probably be the best.
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 141
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From: Reno NV
I would cut out a pair of plates, drill properly spaced holes in them then weld nuts to the backsides of them. Then weld the plates in place to patch the holes and attach the strikers to. The most difficult part however, would be properly aligning the strikers so that the latches engage them.
Would someone mind doing me a solid and getting a few measurements from the center of your bolts on each side, to either the inside edge of the bedside, or to the flat edge on the outer side of each latch plate?...if that makes any sense..
It would be MUCH appreciated! I am dead set on putting a tailgate on..so this must be fixed regardless. Not a fan of the tailgate netting.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 141
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From: Reno NV
Those holes you are seeing are what used to be behind the holes that used to be there that were threaded. The threaded holes were cut out at some point.
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 2,595
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From: Pasadena, Ca
Ok, i understand.
On mine, 1979, theres a little plate. Is it removeable? It looks like tabs holding it in. If its removeable, i can score a set from a junkyard tomorrow
Hole is 1" on centers.
Hole is 1" from outside of bed
But why weld nuts on? Why not get the correct thickness of steel, center punch the centers, drill and tap them correctly? You can always reach down into the stake hole and put locking nuts on them as a secondary too.
On mine, 1979, theres a little plate. Is it removeable? It looks like tabs holding it in. If its removeable, i can score a set from a junkyard tomorrow
Hole is 1" on centers.
Hole is 1" from outside of bed
But why weld nuts on? Why not get the correct thickness of steel, center punch the centers, drill and tap them correctly? You can always reach down into the stake hole and put locking nuts on them as a secondary too.
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 141
Likes: 0
From: Reno NV
To be honest Im not 100% sure. I should have paid attention when I took the hardware off of the truck at the salvage yard...but naturally I would have never imagined this problem being..well....a problem. It appears that some metal was cut out....the holes on each side are different sized so it doesnt appear to be a missing part so much as its a missing hunk of metal on each side.
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 141
Likes: 0
From: Reno NV
Thank you! That helps me out greatly! now to just figure out how to patch it..I dont have a welder so I may have to take it to a metal shop. hopefully not a super costly fix...