The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop AD tailgate and hinge

What keeps the tailgate and hinge from rubbing paint-on-paint when the tailgate is opened? Is there a part I am missing that separates the two?

Dan,
Nope there was nothing in there from the factory, just metal to metal and yes it rips the paint off in short order.
I used some clear vinyl stone chip tape like ya get for rocker panels and bed corners & cut it an wrapped it around my hing to keep some cushion between the 2.
Just a tip.
Tim

I'm hoping that plating them and using a strip of thin gasket paper with a bit of grease will prevent that and it's working so far. A thin plastic bushing that fit the tailgate hole would be a good find. If you buy repop hinges be sure to fit them to the tailgate before painting as some variation will be present.

Thanks guys. I think I like the plastic bushing idea since it should be more substantial long term. We have a local hardware chain that seems to carry some really unusual hard-to-find items. This might be an opportunity for a budding entrepreneur.

all US metal
if ya use it ........ the gasket paper will last till it's worn, about a doz + times.......
throw a dab of grease on the hinges b4 you put her back together
i use rubber bicycle inner-tube for the chain

or
completely redesign it using delrin or UHMW [ultra high impack machinable] plastic

I made my on latch and steel strape hinges that hide inside the tailgate when closed. They also sell them through Mar k. I will try to post some pics tommorow if time.