Tailgate Hinges Rusted

[FreightShaker2704]

Hey guys I have a problem with my tailgate. The hinges attached to the tailgate seem to be fine but the piece attached to the bed that the hinge goes into i think its called a Trunnion is rusted out. I know that i can buy new ones but the problem is where the trunnion attaches on the bed is all rusted out and almost like a hole will soon happen. And what is happening is when i put the tailgate down it sometimes falls off. Do i need to buy a new bed?? or is it able to be fixed. Please let me know Thanks.


And also my truck is an 87 V10 but im thinkin its a camper special of some kind i tried to look it up but nothing has come up yet. The reason is it has the following - Tri-pod mirrors, 2 tanks, quad front shocks, and in the glove box it has a camper instruction sticker. But no badge on the side just the normal silverado 10.

 

[HotRodPC]

Is there enough room behind the sheet metal to get a piece of flat steel behind the sheet metal. If so, use about 1/8 in steel, drill proper size holes and tap some threads in it.

Do you have any pics of it? How is the condition of the rest of the bed? Is it worth saving? Are beds expensive where you're at? You can find them here with very very minor rust for $100-$300 depending if tailgate is included and overall condition. But I've heard other places in the rust belt, a good bed goes for $400-$600. You needing long or short bed? Be prepared to pay bigger bucks if you need short. Those short boys think they have gold.

 

[crazy4offroad]

I did this recently on that 82 I sold. Welded in a piece of patch metal after cutting out the bad. This was on the side with the round hinge. Instead of buying the hinge I welded a very large nut to the patch piece, worked fine.

 

[HotRodPC]

Yup, that's kinda what I'm getting at.

 

[FreightShaker2704]

Hey thanks guys here is a pic of the hinges. I think im gonna go ahead and weld the plate and put new hinges on it like you guys said. and ill put another pic of the truck. The bed has the most rust out of the whole truck.

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[FreightShaker2704]

Couldn't get the pics to work but heres a link to the pics

Rusted Hinges

http://www.gmsquarebody.com/forum/album.php?albumid=365&pictureid=2664

Pic of the bed

http://www.gmsquarebody.com/forum/album.php?albumid=365&pictureid=2665