PSA Cheap Effective Mod: Tailgate Pin Reinforcement

[PWillette]

Not sure if this fits in the armor category...For those with copious amount of weight hanging off the tailgate...I stumbled across Bay Area Metal Fab's tailgate pin support reinforcement plate @BAMF . I wasn't aware it was a thing but apparently people have had issues with the tailgate latch pin bending causing tailgate alignment/binding issues. Those concerned with extra weight typically address the hinges...this is the first product I've seen addressing the latch side. Actually makes a lot of sense IMO. Simple, effective & cheap...I had to try one out. Installation was easy.

https://www.bayareametalfab.com/Bronco-Tail-Gate-pin-support_p_202.html

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[Brian_B]

Thanks for the heads up - I remember seeing this a bit ago and just got done checking everything over on the tailgate and hadn't got around to getting one on order.

I swear this forum makes me spend so much money ...

 

[B22-2023]

Not sure if this fits in the armor category...For those with copious amount of weight hanging off the tailgate...I stumbled across Bay Area Metal Fab's tailgate pin support reinforcement plate @BAMF . I wasn't aware it was a thing but apparently people have had issues with the tailgate latch pin bending causing tailgate alignment/binding issues. Those concerned with extra weight typically address the hinges...this is the first product I've seen addressing the latch side. Actually makes a lot of sense IMO. Simple, effective & cheap...I had to try one out. Installation was easy.

https://www.bayareametalfab.com/Bronco-Tail-Gate-pin-support_p_202.html

One trip I had so much gear lashed to my bumper-mounted swing gates that I strapped them to my otherwise unloaded tailgate to stabilize. I’ll be adding this for under $20, thanks!

 

[Draughon]

Great find! For $20 it's a no-brainer... ordered!

 

[swamp2]

Nice, cheap insurance. Ordered.

 

[Kevin222]

Not sure if this fits in the armor category...For those with copious amount of weight hanging off the tailgate...I stumbled across Bay Area Metal Fab's tailgate pin support reinforcement plate @BAMF . I wasn't aware it was a thing but apparently people have had issues with the tailgate latch pin bending causing tailgate alignment/binding issues. Those concerned with extra weight typically address the hinges...this is the first product I've seen addressing the latch side. Actually makes a lot of sense IMO. Simple, effective & cheap...I had to try one out. Installation was easy.

https://www.bayareametalfab.com/Bronco-Tail-Gate-pin-support_p_202.html

Any issue with the tailgate latch not lining up with the striker pin that is now moved out a little bit due to the thickness of the plate? I assume there is enough adjustment in the latch to make it fit??? Thanks.

 

[PWillette]

Any issue with the tailgate latch not lining up with the striker pin that is now moved out a little bit due to the thickness of the plate? I assume there is enough adjustment in the latch to make it fit??? Thanks.

No issue with the pin and plate moving inboard roughly 1/8" however It was a bit tedious getting everything back to their original location. The pin and latch plate have captive nuts attached to the backing plate which is anchored/located by the two painted bolts. Once the painted bolts are loose the backing plate has quit a bit of movement. Remove the top painted bolt but leave the bottom painted bolt in place to hold the backing plate. Install the top painted bolt through the reinforcement plate to hold the backing plate from dropping out then you can remove the bottom painted bolt and reinstall through the reinforcement plate...then install the latch and pin. I took several random measures to get the painted bolts back to their original position. Whole process took about 20 minutes.

 

[Kevin222]

No issue with the pin and plate moving inboard roughly 1/8" however It was a bit tedious getting everything back to their original location. The pin and latch plate have captive nuts attached to the backing plate which is anchored/located by the two painted bolts. Once the painted bolts are loose the backing plate has quit a bit of movement. Remove the top painted bolt but leave the bottom painted bolt in place to hold the backing plate. Install the top painted bolt through the reinforcement plate to hold the backing plate from dropping out then you can remove the bottom painted bolt and reinstall through the reinforcement plate...then install the latch and pin. I took several random measures to get the painted bolts back to their original position. Whole process took about 20 minutes.

Thanks for the info. I'll be ordering one.

 

[Gluestick]

Ordered!

 

[Burndup429]

Do you have to fiddle with readjusting the latch after installing it? Thanks.

 

[Neps]

Thanks, ordered

 

[PWillette]

Do you have to fiddle with readjusting the latch after installing it? Thanks.

So long as you take some measures to re-center the painted bolts you'll have no issues. I made took several random measures of the bolts and pins before I removed.

 

[jeffreybehr]

Indeed; me too!

 

[jeffreybehr]

Thanks, ordered

Thank you for Serving.

 

[B22-2023]

So long as you take some measures to re-center the painted bolts you'll have no issues. I made took several random measures of the bolts and pins before I removed.

Great advice. I just ordered mine. Just waiting for the shop to say, “Due to unexpected orders of something we made for ourselves as kind of a one-off, please wait longer for shipment.”

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