So what’s the secret to putting the tailgate hinges back together?

[residualboulders]

If I put the tailgate rod where it goes I can’t attach the hinges. If I attach the hinges I can’t get the rod in place. There must be a secret to this?

 

[WarDamnEagle]

I recall reading how to do it in here somewhere. Has something to do with a block of wood. I think it was in @PabloCruise build thread. Sorry I can't be of more precise help.

 

[scrapdaddy]

I used a piece of wood to hold the rod and then bolted up the hinge.

 

[J Mack]

There must be a secret to this?

Exactly what Scraps is showing in his pictures.
Bolt the hinge assembly to the pig first and hold the passengers side out with a block of wood "then" bolt the tail gate to the hinges.

 

[residualboulders]

Thanks guys. There is a lot of tension on that rod, so I’m having a hard time getting everything bolted up and trying to be careful not to scratch the new paint. I’ll try the block of wood.

 

[PabloCruise]

The block of wood trick is the way to go!

 

[PabloCruise]

Here are where I was dealing with this: Builds - POTM - March, 2014 - Javelina By Pablo Cruise

FSM:

I love the old "Install by performing the removal in reverse order".
Do you see how they are using a big crescent wrench to gain leverage on the hinge?

 

[PabloCruise]

We used the rubber handle of a hammer:

Some commentary as well: Builds - POTM - March, 2014 - Javelina By Pablo Cruise

 

[RUSH55]

It was a b*tch just getting the screws OUT on mine to remove it. Want to say at least three of them stripped or broke heads. Something else I’m looking forward to sourcing soon - metic, countersink, Phillips-head fasteners. Gob with anti-seize.

 

[PabloCruise]

It was a b*tch just getting the screws OUT on mine to remove it. Want to say at least three of them stripped or broke heads. Something else I’m looking forward to sourcing soon - metic, countersink, Phillips-head fasteners. Gob with anti-seize.

Ah yiss...

 

[RUSH55]

That’s a really good shot to give people a better idea of what’s going on.

 

[bobm]

Stainless steel

 

[residualboulders]

thanks @PabloCruise I'll have to see if I can get that tension bolt loose, that may help. I tried using a crescent wrench but i could see it would damage the paint so I quit trying. I'll prob monkey with it some more tonight.

 

[xtiaan2000]

No doubt challenging!

 

[PabloCruise]

thanks @PabloCruise I'll have to see if I can get that tension bolt loose, that may help. I tried using a crescent wrench but i could see it would damage the paint so I quit trying. I'll prob monkey with it some more tonight.

Wrap a shop rag before crescent wrench...

 

[residualboulders]

@PabloCruise yeah, did that. Had to pull so hard it was starting to scratch underneath.

 

[PabloCruise]

@PabloCruise yeah, did that. Had to pull so hard it was starting to scratch underneath.

I don't remember having to pull that hard.
Can you tell if the torsion bar is binding?

 

[J Mack]

Had to pull so hard it was starting to scratch underneath.

Are you sure the load bolt is out and the section the bar rides in is clear?

Figure 11-56 in Pablos FSM post.

 

[residualboulders]

@jmack load bolt is not out. Being the kind of man that i am, i didn't think to look at any kind of diagrams before trying to assemble, ha ha. I figured it was a few bolts so can't be that hard. Channel the bar rides in is clear as I just dismantled to paint. I'll retract the bolt tonight and see if I can't get it in.

 

[PabloCruise]

@jmack
I'll retract the bolt tonight and see if I can't get it in.

Standing by for @scrapdaddy & @TachedOutOffRoad to ask why you can't just use the other hole...