Jun 09, 2022
As promised, here is a thread on the Ford Tailgate table and the only issue I’ve had with it…the cheap, aluminum trash they used for rivet nuts. I noticed very shortly after taking delivery that one of the nuts had popped loose. I ordered my Bronco with the tailgate table and was told it would be put on at the factory (lie). It is put on by the dealership when it gets there. Save yourself $100 extra dollars and order it/ install it yourself. When you do install, do yourself another favor and get a rivet nut tool and quality rivnuts. Can’t stress this enough. Now, on to the pictures and descriptions…
It all started with this little bastard:
This was the top left nut that I first noticed had stripped. That small piece on the bolt is literally all of the thread that’s on these things. Seeing this, I decided to remove all four rivet nuts and start over with better ones. I used a screwdriver and a rubber mallet to tap the rivet nuts back into shape in order to pull them out.
Unfortunately, I still had a couple break into pieces when removing them (thank God for my mechanics magnet. If you don’t have one, you need one in your tool collection).
As stated earlier…absolute trash.
I then used a river nut tool and added quality rivet nuts. Unfortunately the holes the dealership drilled were too big for 1/4 inch rivet nuts. The hole was too big for the head diameter, so I had to use 5/16 rivet nuts instead. I ordered some 5/16 bolts on Amazon that are similar to what comes with the table and am waiting on those to arrive (should be tomorrow).
This rivet nuts are substantially stronger and have more thread on them. Definitely more confident in these since they are a solid piece and don’t separate like the trash that was on there (see below for what the original ones looked like)
All in all, I love the table itself. Have had zero issues with rattles and is a handy addition. Once I get the bolts in I will put it back together and provide some better pictures of the finished product.
It all started with this little bastard:
This was the top left nut that I first noticed had stripped. That small piece on the bolt is literally all of the thread that’s on these things. Seeing this, I decided to remove all four rivet nuts and start over with better ones. I used a screwdriver and a rubber mallet to tap the rivet nuts back into shape in order to pull them out.
Unfortunately, I still had a couple break into pieces when removing them (thank God for my mechanics magnet. If you don’t have one, you need one in your tool collection).
As stated earlier…absolute trash.
I then used a river nut tool and added quality rivet nuts. Unfortunately the holes the dealership drilled were too big for 1/4 inch rivet nuts. The hole was too big for the head diameter, so I had to use 5/16 rivet nuts instead. I ordered some 5/16 bolts on Amazon that are similar to what comes with the table and am waiting on those to arrive (should be tomorrow).
This rivet nuts are substantially stronger and have more thread on them. Definitely more confident in these since they are a solid piece and don’t separate like the trash that was on there (see below for what the original ones looked like)
All in all, I love the table itself. Have had zero issues with rattles and is a handy addition. Once I get the bolts in I will put it back together and provide some better pictures of the finished product.
2022 Big Bend, 4 door, Cactus Grey, on 285/70/17 KO2s
14U, Deano Bronc
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Jun 09, 2022