And I broke it…

radar3d

So I went to put the tailgate reinforcement from rough country on my new baby. All was going fine until the retaining nuts for the button bolts fell down inside the tailgate. Managed to get it fished out but no idea how it got there in the first place unless there when door was riveted together. Yea me…

The only access is via small hole under cableway flap access. Which is where I fished it out from.

Any ideas or suggestions besides new tailgate? Photos attached.

So did you get it changed or did you break something? Can you use a flexible extension with a grabber or magnet at the end to reach inside?

TK1215

So did you get it changed or did you break something? Can you use a flexible extension with a grabber or magnet at the end to reach inside?

I got the thing out, its the item in the second picture. The problem is how to get it back in and to keep it in place. It looks like it just clipped on with the square holes in the center and those broke off or something…. Maybe the are still there cant really see in there.

radar3d

I got the thing out, its the item in the second picture. The problem is how to get it back in and to keep it in place. It looks like it just clipped on with the square holes in the center and those broke off or something…. Maybe the are still there cant really see in there.

Maybe a flexible magnet

Did you get the tailgate reinforcement or just replacement hinges? Sorry just reread your OP.

TK1215

Did you get the tailgate reinforcement or just replacement hinges? Sorry just reread your OP.

Reinforcement

What happens if you remove the inside of the tailgate?
I haven’t checked mine out, but I wonder if the backside of the outside is accessible that way.

radar3d

So I went to put the tailgate reinforcement from rough country on my new baby. All was going fine until the retaining nuts for the button bolts fell down inside the tailgate. Managed to get it fished out but no idea how it got there in the first place unless there when door was riveted together. Yea me…

The only access is via small hole under cableway flap access. Which is where I fished it out from.

Any ideas or suggestions besides new tailgate? Photos attached.

If you can fish out the nuts, try to epoxy them onto the back of the plate you are trying to install. Then get some string or stronger twine to feed into the two bolt holes, then fish those out through the center of the tailgate. Feed both strings through the nuts/plate holes, maybe tie a toothpick or something on the end of the strings, and gently pull the plate back into place from the outside. Not sure if I articulated this very well, but it should be a start on getting it into the right place to install.

Bschurr

You need one of these!

That’s a nice little tool. I usually use my alligator forceps when I need to do something like that.
But, I can’t tell from the OP if the problem is the nuts, or the entire plate. If it’s just the nuts, I would stick them on with some epoxy to hold them in position.

3Dogs

What happens if you remove the inside of the tailgate?
I haven’t checked mine out, but I wonder if the backside of the outside is accessible that way.

There is no way to remove inside of tailgate it’s sealed

Bschurr

You need one of these!

Could be, sounds like something to order just in case.

Update: Got it installed. Got the nut bracket out from inside the tail gate with a reachy grabby. Fished wired back through the holes in it and pulled it back into place. And like I thought the square holes in the middle go onto clips so when pulled on the wired through the hold and pulled it tight they “Clicked” back on. And we were off to the races.

After that it was a fiasco getting the hinges to align properly for the door to close properly. If the instructions had said to disconnect the tailgate shock first that probably would have helped.

In the end the holes for mounting the spare tire of the rough country mount had to be drilled out larger because if you aligned them to all fit and the hinge bolts it caused the door to lift. So we took out the bolts for the spare tire and just got the hinge bolts aligned so the door closed then were able to drill out the other holes because there was no way they were going to accept the bolts. Drilled them all out two sizes larger. Also had to drill out the guide pin holes on the rough country. So basically it is not machined 100% to match up or at least with my vehicle. Another note is that the washers provided with the kit to bolt the spare tire holder back on are too small in diameter because when tightened they would cut into the plastic holes of the spare tire holder. Ended up getting flange bolts like the originals just 30mm length.

Long day and long story short it’s installed and good to go. Would been easier if machined a little better. And if they recommended disconnecting the shock/strut.

No snark intended, but why did you add this?
Is there an issue with the OEM design? Do you plan on carrying a bigger tire?

radar3d

Update: Got it installed. Got the nut bracket out from inside the tail gate with a reachy grabby. Fished wired back through the holes in it and pulled it back into place. And like I thought the square holes in the middle go onto clips so when pulled on the wired through the hold and pulled it tight they “Clicked” back on. And we were off to the races.

After that it was a fiasco getting the hinges to align properly for the door to close properly. If the instructions had said to disconnect the tailgate shock first that probably would have helped.

In the end the holes for mounting the spare tire of the rough country mount had to be drilled out larger because if you aligned them to all fit and the hinge bolts it caused the door to lift. So we took out the bolts for the spare tire and just got the hinge bolts aligned so the door closed then were able to drill out the other holes because there was no way they were going to accept the bolts. Drilled them all out two sizes larger. Also had to drill out the guide pin holes on the rough country. So basically it is not machined 100% to match up or at least with my vehicle. Another note is that the washers provided with the kit to bolt the spare tire holder back on are too small in diameter because when tightened they would cut into the plastic holes of the spare tire holder. Ended up getting flange bolts like the originals just 30mm length.

Long day and long story short it’s installed and good to go. Would been easier if machined a little better. And if they recommended disconnecting the shock/strut.

Glad you got it all back together, it can get frustrating when the unexpected happens and on something so new!

Welp! don't feel bad. I had the same thing happen to me on Saturday. Still in the process of trying to get the plate back up. Mine is the upper hinge. I've been able to get the right side of the plate up and get a bolt through it to hold it in place. But the left side of the plate is down at an angle and can't seem to get it up.

Parcsalooc

Welp! don't feel bad. I had the same thing happen to me on Saturday. Still in the process of trying to get the plate back up. Mine is the upper hinge. I've been able to get the right side of the plate up and get a bolt through it to hold it in place. But the left side of the plate is down at an angle and can't seem to get it up.

I definitely feel ya bro. The cheap ass little clips that hold those two nuts in place suck. If it will stay in place without any bolts in it try to fish a wire in through the one and out the other then pull both ends to pull the both into place maybe you will get lucky like I did and it will click into place. Then I started the problem bolt (without the plate yet), with it started then start the other and snug both to get the thing bent back into shape then when you put the plate on go easier when getting them started. Good luck!