1953-1956 tailgate question?
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Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: oh
1953-1956 tailgate question?
On a 53-56 tailgate , or any tailgate in our forum, for that fact; what do you install for the pivot in the hinges?
I have found solid cold-roll pieces,hollow-pipe, even rebar and want to know what you guys say is the correct piece!
What and where do I buy this piece for my tailgate? Mid-fifties could not tell me. ANY IDEA?
THANKS .....................Bill
I have found solid cold-roll pieces,hollow-pipe, even rebar and want to know what you guys say is the correct piece!
What and where do I buy this piece for my tailgate? Mid-fifties could not tell me. ANY IDEA?
THANKS .....................Bill
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,641
Likes: 21
From: Poway, Ca.
Hi Walford,
Well actually, I think when the tailgates are new, there isn't anything in there. The roled base just fits over the hinge pin mounted to the back stake pocket. But after, oh say 50 or 60 years of use, that part of the roll would rust a little and grind down when opened, and stretch, etc. so the fit gets pretty loose.
Over the years folk put "bushings" (ie duct tape, pipe, wire wrapped around the pins, garden hose menders, almost anything and everything) to tighten that fit back up to keep the tailgate from swinging too freely and rattling on the truck.
Myself, and remember I have a 51 so I'm not quite sure if the dimensions of the roll and pin are the same, I used a 3/4 copper pipe union as a bushing. I was able to nicely, cleanly "tap it firmly" into the roll hole and with just a little burnishing on the inside with an electric drill and rotary file, plus a fine coat of lithium grease, it slid tightly onto the pins. And since, the soft copper has "conformed" to the pins very nicely.
The tailgate raises and lowers perfectly, it feels "solid" on the pins, don't rust any more, and if need be could be pulled out to replace.
You might want to try that. I don't think there is a stock fix.
Good Luck,
J!
Well actually, I think when the tailgates are new, there isn't anything in there. The roled base just fits over the hinge pin mounted to the back stake pocket. But after, oh say 50 or 60 years of use, that part of the roll would rust a little and grind down when opened, and stretch, etc. so the fit gets pretty loose.
Over the years folk put "bushings" (ie duct tape, pipe, wire wrapped around the pins, garden hose menders, almost anything and everything) to tighten that fit back up to keep the tailgate from swinging too freely and rattling on the truck.
Myself, and remember I have a 51 so I'm not quite sure if the dimensions of the roll and pin are the same, I used a 3/4 copper pipe union as a bushing. I was able to nicely, cleanly "tap it firmly" into the roll hole and with just a little burnishing on the inside with an electric drill and rotary file, plus a fine coat of lithium grease, it slid tightly onto the pins. And since, the soft copper has "conformed" to the pins very nicely.
The tailgate raises and lowers perfectly, it feels "solid" on the pins, don't rust any more, and if need be could be pulled out to replace.
You might want to try that. I don't think there is a stock fix.
Good Luck,
J!
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: Grande Prairie, Alberta
The new tailgate I got for my 48 from MAR-K has a inner bushing welded into the bottom roll and a test fit indicates that I will have to ream it out a little to fit the hinge pins.
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,641
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From: Poway, Ca.
Maybe they could tell you if they use a seperate bushing, and what it is made of (if not part of the sheet metal).
J!
PS I have two sets of hinge pins and one is definately a little bigger than the other. I wonder if a while back installing an oversized pin was the sought solution to the stretching and wear?
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Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: oh
Thanks Julie and others---I only have 8 trucks now here and 3 trucks at my other home.
All have different pieces holding the tailgates together!!
The copper piece sounds better than what I was going to use,and now will use that idea!! That is why I send people to FTE----all the ideas you can get with other truck owners and builders on here......cause I run out of ideas---haha
The problem really is trying to get half of the crap out of the tailgate to fix them......thanks/Bill
All have different pieces holding the tailgates together!!
The copper piece sounds better than what I was going to use,and now will use that idea!! That is why I send people to FTE----all the ideas you can get with other truck owners and builders on here......cause I run out of ideas---haha
The problem really is trying to get half of the crap out of the tailgate to fix them......thanks/Bill
Roast em' if you got 'em
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 21,996
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From: Rio Rancho, NM
One thing to keep in mind is that the hinge pins aren't round, they're supposed to be, but they aren't. Look at how they are manufactured. They are made out of a piece of flat steel and pressed and rolled into shape, which doesn't leave a nice round pin.
A little careful filing on the pins will go along way to help them fit into whatever bushing you decide to go with.
Bobby
A little careful filing on the pins will go along way to help them fit into whatever bushing you decide to go with.
Bobby
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Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2000
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From: Pflugerville, tx
hmm.. my polish stainless hinge pins look mighty round to me.. nothing extra in the tailgate. Fit like a glove.. but adding some grease would be a good idea
Sam
Sam
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Post Fiend
Joined: May 2008
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From: Poway, Ca.
And I'm sure there are many more variations on this theme. Shoot, I like the stainless idea yours sound like very good quality Sam. Is that a new tailgate too, or is it one that someone has taken care of over the years?
Julie
Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,591
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From: Pflugerville, tx
Oh there's definately differences in pin dimensions and shape. With my two sets, one is the stamped and roled variety like Bobby mentioned, and the other is cast then chromed. The cast one definately has casting lines on the pin portion, and is larger in outer diameter by about 1/32" at the base. Also, they appear to be tapered slightly from base to end of pin!
And I'm sure there are many more variations on this theme. Shoot, I like the stainless idea yours sound like very good quality Sam. Is that a new tailgate too, or is it one that someone has taken care of over the years?
Julie
And I'm sure there are many more variations on this theme. Shoot, I like the stainless idea yours sound like very good quality Sam. Is that a new tailgate too, or is it one that someone has taken care of over the years?
Julie
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
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From: Simi Valley, CA
1948/1979 Flareside Tailgate Hinge
8C-8343018-A .. Tailgate Hinge / Right/Left is the same / Obsolete
Application: 1948 thru 1979 Flareside pickups
> > 8C-8343018-A replaced 8C-8343018 < <
Dennis Carpenter has reproduced: 8C-8343018 has 1219 in stock.
The following Ford Dealers have Genuine Ford hinges: 8C-8343018-A
Bob Allen Ford in Overland Park KS has 2 = 913-381-3000
McSpadden Ford in Globe AZ has 2.
Lucas Ford Co. in Lucas KS has 2.
Anna-Jonesboro Motor Co. in Anna, IL has 2.
Tallapoosa Ford in Alexander City, AL has 4.
Backus Ford in Stafford Springs CT has 7.
and.....
Klimesh Motor Sales in Calmar IA has 6 of 8C-8343018 = 563-562-3241.
btw: Sorry, The Ford Dealer parts locator system doesn't always list phone numbers.
Application: 1948 thru 1979 Flareside pickups
> > 8C-8343018-A replaced 8C-8343018 < <
Dennis Carpenter has reproduced: 8C-8343018 has 1219 in stock.
The following Ford Dealers have Genuine Ford hinges: 8C-8343018-A
Bob Allen Ford in Overland Park KS has 2 = 913-381-3000
McSpadden Ford in Globe AZ has 2.
Lucas Ford Co. in Lucas KS has 2.
Anna-Jonesboro Motor Co. in Anna, IL has 2.
Tallapoosa Ford in Alexander City, AL has 4.
Backus Ford in Stafford Springs CT has 7.
and.....
Klimesh Motor Sales in Calmar IA has 6 of 8C-8343018 = 563-562-3241.
btw: Sorry, The Ford Dealer parts locator system doesn't always list phone numbers.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 412
Likes: 1
From: Fallon, Nevada
Tailgate Fix....
I cut a half piece of 3/4 EMT (Electrical Conduit) and braze it to the tailgate roll on the top. That tightens it up enough. You could also just cut some body metal and roll it around a piece of rebar or even the hinge pin. If a full round is too much, just use half, then weld or braze it in the tailgate roll.
If the tailgate is all painted and pretty, you will have to make a bushing. Julie's copper pipe solution sounds great.
alanco
If the tailgate is all painted and pretty, you will have to make a bushing. Julie's copper pipe solution sounds great.
alanco
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,641
Likes: 21
From: Poway, Ca.
Hey Bill,
Just curious....I mentioned earlier that my 51 pins might be a different size than the 53+ pins. And also, that I actually have two pairs that are both manufactured differently, and slightly different sizes.
Could this be the difference between the 48-52 pins and the 53+ pins?
The reason I ask is because on my two pairs, the bolt holes are located the same, but if the 53+ pins have a little more girth, could they be used as an oversize pin fix for worn 52- tailgates. (or vice versa?)
XOXO
J!
PS Never mind,,,,I reread you applications as 1948-1979 Flaresides! Didn't register the first time I read it. Thanks anyway. Good idea while it lasted
Just curious....I mentioned earlier that my 51 pins might be a different size than the 53+ pins. And also, that I actually have two pairs that are both manufactured differently, and slightly different sizes.
Could this be the difference between the 48-52 pins and the 53+ pins?
The reason I ask is because on my two pairs, the bolt holes are located the same, but if the 53+ pins have a little more girth, could they be used as an oversize pin fix for worn 52- tailgates. (or vice versa?)
XOXO
J!
PS Never mind,,,,I reread you applications as 1948-1979 Flaresides! Didn't register the first time I read it. Thanks anyway. Good idea while it lasted
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 785
From: Simi Valley, CA
Hey Bill,
Just curious....I mentioned earlier that my 51 pins might be a different size than the 53+ pins. And also, that I actually have two pairs that are both manufactured differently, and slightly different sizes.
Could this be the difference between the 48-52 pins and the 53+ pins?
The reason I ask is because on my two pairs, the bolt holes are located the same, but if the 53+ pins have a little more girth, could they be used as an oversize pin fix for worn 52- tailgates. (or vice versa?)
XOXO
J!
Just curious....I mentioned earlier that my 51 pins might be a different size than the 53+ pins. And also, that I actually have two pairs that are both manufactured differently, and slightly different sizes.
Could this be the difference between the 48-52 pins and the 53+ pins?
The reason I ask is because on my two pairs, the bolt holes are located the same, but if the 53+ pins have a little more girth, could they be used as an oversize pin fix for worn 52- tailgates. (or vice versa?)
XOXO
J!
Dumb cluck me typed that 8C part number, said 1953/79.
I shoulda known better, the application is 1948/79, not 1953/79.
Prolly thinkin' about BB's instead of 8C's...
LOLOL!! Come to think about it, BB's are also known as "Deuce" one ton Ford trucks!