Broken tailgate hinge…replacement tailgate or fix?

[3pedals]

Hit a big dip at the ranch and found the passenger side of my tailgate hanging off. Looks like the metal hinge (the circular metal part attached to tailgate) popped out and is tweaked. Now any little bump without my ghetto temporary remedy (pictured below) and that side of tailgate will jump off rectangular hinge on bedside.

My original tailgate is a bit beaten up (truck just hit 428k miles) so am wondering if an “upgrade” would be worthwhile instead of repairing. I see that a 4G tailgate fits…is it a direct swap or do internal parts (latch, handle, etc) need to be changed? What about a 5G 3/4 ton tailgate - same question. Seems that there are a lot more used 4g and 5g tailgates available these days.

 

[mtofell]

428K Miles ?!?! Nice Job!!! So, guessing aesthetics isn't the highest priority? Is there any rust, etc. at the failure point? That would seem to be the biggest factor in whether to repair or replace. If it is rusted or otherwise failed I hope it's on the gate and not the truck. Wondering if maybe a junkyard might have the hinge, etc.?

 

[GTyankee]

Dodge & Ram tailgates slide into place by sliding the Left side first.

Then while holding the tailgate at about a 20 to 30 degree angle, slip the right slide it into place.
Then it can be lowered or lifted into position.

People have taken something to make a collar or sleeve, that will not allow that right side piece to jump out of position.

Could you take a pix of the part that jumps out of position ?

a video that may help

How to Replace Tailgate Hinge Set 2002-2008 Dodge Ram 1500

Buy Now!New Tailgate Hinge Set from 1AAuto.com http://1aau.to/ia/1ABTG00056This video shows you how to install a tailgate hinge set on your 2002-2008 Dodge R...

www.youtube.com

 

[GTyankee]

anti theft or anti drop device for tailgates
some owners use a rubber hose & hose clamp

How To Prevent Tailgate Theft With A Hose Clamp or Tailgate Lock - FOLLOW UP - Part 2

Bump up your security with a tailgate lock: https://amzn.to/2SsWa7kPrevious Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h55-M16JQnYTailgate Locks, What Are They G...

www.youtube.com

 

[3pedals]

428K Miles ?!?! Nice Job!!! So, guessing aesthetics isn't the highest priority? Is there any rust, etc. at the failure point? That would seem to be the biggest factor in whether to repair or replace. If it is rusted or otherwise failed I hope it's on the gate and not the truck. Wondering if maybe a junkyard might have the hinge, etc.?

The truck has been in California all it’s life so there isn’t really a spec of rust on it, other than the mild surface stuff where paint has chipped off. It’s just spent the last 15 years having the **** beat out of it on some marginal country roads and around the farm. Appearance isn’t super important, but I don’t want to make it look unnecessarily sketchy by putting a completely different color on. But I’ve come across a few dark blue 4g tailgates online…matching 3g ones seem more sparse. If a 4g tailgate would be a direct swap, might be the quickest and easiest solution

Truck still looks good from 20 feet after a $10 machine wash, but it has obviously seen it’s fair share of use

 

[3pedals]

Dodge & Ram tailgates slide into place by sliding the Left side first.

Then while holding the tailgate at about a 20 to 30 degree angle, slip the right slide it into place.
Then it can be lowered or lifted into position.

People have taken something to make a collar or sleeve, that will not allow that right side piece to jump out of position.

Could you take a pix of the part that jumps out of position ?

a video that may help

How to Replace Tailgate Hinge Set 2002-2008 Dodge Ram 1500

Buy Now!New Tailgate Hinge Set from 1AAuto.com http://1aau.to/ia/1ABTG00056This video shows you how to install a tailgate hinge set on your 2002-2008 Dodge R...

www.youtube.com

I’ll get a pic tomorrow. The part that’s broken is the circulsr piece of metal that’s welded to lower passenger side of tailgate and houses the bushing. The bolt on hinges attached to body appear to be ok but haven’t looked closely.

Current tailgate has some dents, plenty of scratches, and the tailgate spoiler is held on by over a dozen sheet metal screws because got tired of replacing them after getting ripped off by a forklift and/or pallet.

Good stuff though…the tailgate has slid off passenger hinge several times over the years, usually while trying to close with an overstuffed bed.

 

[3pedals]

Doesn’t look as bad as I thought…perhaps an easy repair?






And here’s the the truck…not pretty but not especially ugly

 

[RamDiver]

What are the possibilities of the bushing being worn out and/or the tailgate latching assembly not holding tight?

Either of these conditions might cause the tailgate to be more prone to spontaneous ejection.

.

 

[GTyankee]

If it happened to me, i would find a welding shop or an acquaintance with a welder.
Drive to their location, show them the damage & ask their advice.
I think that they would pull the tailgate, bend the damaged part back into position & weld it into place.
Then you can do a bit of sanding & spray it with Primer & then find a similar paint to sort of match the rest of your truck

4th Gen tailgate on 3rd Gen Dodge

 

[mikeru]

If it happened to me, i would find a welding shop or an acquaintance with a welder.
Drive to their location, show them the damage & ask their advice.
I think that they would pull the tailgate, bend the damaged part back into position & weld it into place.
Then you can do a bit of sanding & spray it with Primer & then find a similar paint to sort of match the rest of your truck

You sir were reading my mind. That looks like it would weld up fine. No need for a new tailgate.

 

[3pedals]

Well…the bungees kept the tailgate on the truck, but now that round hinge has broken off the tailgate and gone missing. Had an appt with my local machine shop tomorrow to get it fixed…is that part available separately to spot weld on, or does it only come with a tailgate? I should’ve taken the damn tailgate off yesterday…

 

[aszumilo]

According to my local pick a part, here is the interchange for your tailgate. Might help in finding one

• DODGE 1500 PICKUP 02-05
• DODGE 1500 PICKUP 06-08 w/o spoiler
• DODGE 2500 PICKUP 03-05
• DODGE 2500 PICKUP 06-09 w/o spoiler
• DODGE 3500 PICKUP 03-07 SRW
• DODGE 3500 PICKUP 07 DRW, w/o courtesy lamp
• DODGE 3500 PICKUP 08-09

 

[GTyankee]

3pedals
go to that shop & ask them if they can work with what you have

One of the guys on here is working on a International truck, he fixed his tailgate with scrap metal & welding rod

 

[3pedals]

Ok so pulled the tailgate today as it wasn’t likely to stay on the truck much longer. Does anyone know if the missing spot-welded round piece is available separately? Talked to the machine shop and they could certainly put something together to fix it, but the cost would likely be in the same range as a used tailgate. So unless that circular piece is available, probably just gonna find a tailgate.

Does a 4g tailgate slide on to a 3g directly, or do some parts need to be changed (hinges, latch, etc)?

Any other tailgates (factory or aftermarket) that bolt to the 3g ram that I should look into?

 

[3pedals]

Bump…can anyone tell me if the 4g tailgate is a direct swap, or if any of the parts need to be swapped (ie hinges, latch, etc) to work in a 3g? There appears to be a couple dark blue 4g tailgates within striking distance

 

[Marshall]

3pedals
go to that shop & ask them if they can work with what you have

One of the guys on here is working on a International truck, he fixed his tailgate with scrap metal & welding rod

that is the usual farm fix, and #9 wire. An small and large hammers.
I had a bunch of IHC trucks . small to big.

I would head to a auto wrecker yard or two, look for a smashed tail gate cheap with that bit still good and chop it off and weld on to yours, and a little paint, done.

BTW , that truck looks great for the miles on it. typical ranch truck her is beat up in 2 yrs from fences and playing chicken with bulls, the truck usually loses. Brother killed his sunroof with a 12 ga, but it was a 1 yr old Ford , so don't matter.

 

[Daw14]

Bump…can anyone tell me if the 4g tailgate is a direct swap, or if any of the parts need to be swapped (ie hinges, latch, etc) to work in a 3g? There appears to be a couple dark blue 4g tailgates within striking distance

Pretty sure it will fit fine, just the body lines will be a little off.

 

[GTyankee]

Dilligaf went to his scrap metal pile

 

[GTyankee]

they do sell the part that fell off, it is called the tailgate pivot bushing

Mopar Overstock is one OEM seller
Dorman parts is an after market seller


2002 - 2008 Dodge Ram 1500 & Heavy Duty models 2003 - 2009

 

[GTyankee]

How to Replace Tailgate Hinge Bushing 2002-2008 Dodge Ram 1500

Buy Now!New Tailgate Hinge Bushing from 1AAuto.com http://1aau.to/ia/MPBTG00006This video shows you how to install a tailgate hinge bushing on your If the ta...

www.youtube.com