Fixing tailgate hinge

[Jethro Bodine]

Hi, this is my first post. I'm so excited.

Anyways, I just got a 95 F-250 powerstroke which is in pretty good shape for a work truck. The tailgate hindge on the pass side is missing. The cup part that mates to the cup piece on the truck is gone. The tailgate looks ok so I was thinking of welding on a pipe of the correct size and notching it so I can get it on and off like the stock one was. Has anyone else tried this?

I put the tailgate in my shop so I can do this and until then, I'm rolling without one.

[SMKSTAX]

Welcome to the ORG!! Sounds like a good way to get that tailgate fixed up to me.

[Jethro Bodine]

I'd like to keep the original since its all painted to match and the truck looks surprisingly good for something with 300K miles on it.

[alberta 7.3]

Is the cup on the tailgate completely gone, or are you really just missing the plastic insert between the cup and the pin on the box? I'd say you'd be better off getting the cup part at a wrecker, and possibly drill/tap holes to mount it to prevent paint damage.

[Jethro Bodine]

There is an inner cup on the truck side and an outer cup on the tailgate side. The pass side one is missing in action, only the plate it was attached to remains. This plate seems to be welded to the truck, so I dont think it would be a easy parts swap. The outer cup on the drivers side is paper thin and fixing to go. I figured I'd just do both. I hate that I dont have any better ideas on this, because it will jack up the paint in the area. Its not too horrible since its on the inside, if I can keep the rest from flaring up too. Any alternate ideas are appreciated.