Tailgate trunnion issue

[MWZad]

Hey guys,

Figured I would see if I can get some help from some of the knowledgable guys out there. My tailgate on my 87 closes and latches fine but when I unlatch and lower it down the bottom wants to fall out and the tailgate drop out. The body must have been hit some point in the past. The trunnions are in alright shape but could be replaced. I think they need to be shimmed. I was going to shim them with fender washers to make up the difference in the bottom than the top. When I went to unbolt the trunnions I noticed a lot of rust where they bolt into and I am afraid of compromising the body. I was just wondering if anyone had any ideas for a simple fix if there is one? Thanks guys!

[Irish_Alley]

cant help you with the rust but take a picture and post it

[1967KaiserM715]

If it's rusty, it's possible it's starting to spread at the bottom of the supports. You could try unbolting the sides from the floor, and pushing/hammer it in. But chances are you will need some body work to fix any rust damage.

Sent from my LGL34C using Tapatalk

[MWZad]

Here's a couple pictures of what I'm dealing with.... Thanks for the help guys!

[VileZambonie]

You can fix that, remove everything and see how soft it is. If it's like a potato chip just put a new patch in there. If it's solid, shim them out a little bit.

[MWZad]

Ok thanks. Yea it feels alittle thin and I can see it starts to push in towards the bed

[Blazin]

That bed is what known as solid in New Hampshire.
The right hand one one the tail gate looks a little tweaked.
I usually shim the tail gate one. Might need to oval the hole on the bottom bolt hole a little bit.

[fitz]

That bed is what known as solid in New Hampshire.

Same thing here in Massachusetts.
This is the gate on one of my M1009 Military Blazer parts trucks.
I ripped it off the truck with my hands.

The trunnion on the passenger side of your truck looks like a replacement.  Its not painted red like the drivers side.

[philo_beddoe]

Fitz, a little rust guard will bring that right back! Lol

Ok, where do these shims go and where do you get them? I have a tiny bit of play, although the tgate does close tight and snug, i can pick up on it, when shut, and feel the play in there.

[zieg85]

They all move a little.  No shims are usually needed if the tailgate shuts and the body lines line up.

[philo_beddoe]

Fair enough, i guess i dont need shims then. Thanks...