I can't remember exactly how that goes together, but have you thought of drilling the head and shaft off? Or, could you squeeze the hinge trunion inside the tailgate with a great-big-huge pair of vice-grips to help get some torque on the bolt?


Current fleet (subject to change w/o notice)
\'49 GMC 3/4-Ton , 60 Austin Healey Frog-eye Sprite (some assembly required), 2011 Dodge Avenger, 2015 Jeep Cherokee. No, they don't all run.
My other ride is a (B737)no, (B767)no, A320.... Update... was Embraer E190, now Boeing B787.

Knowledge is a wonderful thing, but ignorance means you don't know you can't do something.