Tailgate reinforcement issues

[cbailey3160]

Has anyone pushed the tailgate reinforcement backing plate into the tailgate shell. Somehow while trying to add a whip/Chase light bracket to my RCR tailgate reinforcement, I pushed the nut plate in the tailgate away, so I can’t even find it. Currently I have the tailgate on a table looking for ways to access the inside. Before I start drilling holes has anybody dealt with this before? Hopefully you can see that the upper hinge location no longer has the threaded backing plate inside the tailgate. It was pushed away and dropped into the body of the tailgate.

Sponsored

 

[Lotus Dave]

Have you tried to retrieve with a magnet?

 

[EVH1994]

https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/threads/read-this-before-installing-a-tailgate-reinforcement.68158/

 

[Ninjak]

I did this. I was able to retrieve it using two bent coat hangers and packing a lot of patience. To stop this from happening, I purchased a long screw and stuck into the bracket to hold, while I worked with the other hole to get it into place.

 

[Callelk]

I did this. I was able to retrieve it using two bent coat hangers and packing a lot of patience. To stop this from happening, I purchased a long screw and stuck into the bracket to hold, while I worked with the other hole to get it into place.

Yeah, I used long studs and slid the reinforcement over them then removed them one at a time to replace with the bolts.

 

[Lifeliberty]

Get some bolts in the other threads before that plate falls in too

 

[cbailey3160]

So there is a God. I said it on the table outside down and was fiddling with it trying to figure out if I had to drill holes or not. When I just reached under it lo and behold the nut plates fell right into place. I’ve got bolts in them, but I’m just wondering anybody got an idea how to keep them there when I turn the tailgate up to remount. I know the leaving the bolts in there is a start, but I have the RC spare tire reinforcement that still needs to go on. I’m thinking two sided tape or a glob of epoxy. Anybody done anything different?

 

[CatcusGrey]

For those of you who ran into the threaded plate becoming free inside the door skin, curious if you recall how you got the fit right. I can’t get the plate flush to the inside of the door. It seems like there is a bracket of sorts in between the holes, that the plate should slide into. Anyone figure out how to get the plate fitted correctly?

Sponsored