Dodge Dakota Rusty Tailgate Hinge Repair Highlights

I show how I repaired a rusty tailgate hinge pin on my 2001 Dodge Dakota pickup truck.

[@roberte2098]

Thanks dude. You just made my day a little better, knowing it's not a terribly difficult fix. Probably gonna be the last Chrysler vehicle I ever buy

[@allanmcelroy9840]

My truck is a 2000. But this vid showed me what the pass side supposed to look like-it is all BUt completely rusted away. Glad I found your vid....I got some body work to do

[@rln970]

Thanks - fantastic idea. I am gonna try it on my 2006. The rust on this truck is beyond belief

[@darickymeister]

Lol... I've got a ratty rusty 2006.... will try the same thing.... my tailgate fell off :(

[@brianjohnson5302]

Thanks for posting this video. I'm replacing my handle today. It's always nice to know what you're getting into ahead of time.

[@wildeyed76]

Mine just rusted out this summer, thanks for posting what you did. I had no idea what to expect, now I know what to do! 👍

[@robstruction]

Nice straightforward fix, thanks.

[@BackyardBandits]

thank you for this video just fixed my missing hinge pin with the bolt about 5 mins ago works great

[@ilovemyaltima]

Thanks for the great fix I just did it to mine and it worked great.thank you for the great informative video

[@noah122804]

Great idea, thank you. I'm gonna try this, mine just broke off today.

[@israel60426]

Thanks for the idea, worked great for my 2001 Dakota

[@jeremybell5745]

Man great idea...thanks for the video...had a spare battery come loose and bust through the tailgate.

[@DJAlup]

This must be a common problem because My 98 broke in the exact same way same side and everything.

[@SevenFortyOne]

I think it is...my buddy also had a '98 with the same thing happen

[@wildeyed76]

2002 same left side only.

[@Rock-fx5wi]

Same here. 2002 Dakota. Same side.Easy fix.Thank you sir!

[@ultrnr]

I'm here because my '99 rusted off on, yep you guessed it, the left side.

[@swayski]

Made it here for the same issue... same side.... same truck smh

[@andrewmapes8205]

awesome job, ill go do mine today

[@rottdogsparky]

So fixed it using a 12 mm socket cap bolt 1.75 X 50 mm from Menards SKU 202-8601 $1.75 drilled a hole used two washers and a nut. Nickel anti seize and I'm back on the road. Could use a 14 mm maybe as my fitment was a tad loose but big box didn't have anything bigger, length was longer than needed as well. 2006 Dodge Dakota passenger side as well.

[@BrentLagerman]

That was so helpful. Saved ma from buying an arch welder.

[@garyrichetelli2402]

Thanks dude, your video was terrific!!! and showed a way to save this tailgate problem due to excessive rust typical on Dodge Dakota trucks!! I will have my bogyman attempt to fix it this way thanks to you!!!! best regards, Gary R,

[@FergusLandscaping]

Love your video! The 8 commercials I had to F5 thru was annoying! But I have DgeDakota2WDSport2000, have same problem, so Imma try your Bolt/Nuts technique. But you should add lock washers on 1 or both sides so nuts down loosen from vibrations over time.

[@SevenFortyOne]

I don't have any control over the ads - that's all KZbin. You're right - lock washers would have been good but this thing never loosened up without them.

[@FergusLandscaping]

@@SevenFortyOne well at least I'm giving you feedback of what we experience. Literally KZbin put 6-8 commercials before your vid played. I thought you(&me) had control over ads vs no ads on our vids.? Funny how truck designs put the safety on the shit we carry in the beds all on some pathetic little pins.

[@ItsJustFranko]

Ah a man of culture. Tossing the spare up in the bed.

[@SevenFortyOne]

I thought about strapping it to the grille but i thought that might be taking things a bit too far.

[@ewademail]

how well did this repair work? seems like the plastic bushing would get chewed up by the hex head. glad i watched your video. i'm going to take a piece of metal and make it to match the original shape with a grinder, weld it to a screw.

[@SevenFortyOne]

I owned the truck for another 2 years after this video was published and it held up fine with the hex bolt - no problems with the bushing at all.

[@seanstewart2838]

you could go with a round bolt that is used for things like wooden truck beds so they wont snag on things its an idea

[@Paullaskovids]

This just happened to my '05. Kinda pissed since I just sunk $800 into a new battery and ball joint replacements. I'm not as handy with tools so I'm not sure what to do about it.

[@rottdogsparky]

he fixed it by removing two torx bolts and buying a nut and bolt from the hardware store I think you might be able to do it

[@garyrine8577]

Right side

[@tylerfalch2765]

can't you find a rear bumper? can't believe some people my dakota is covered in wood bumpers and bed cover made of wood shit sucks

[@SevenFortyOne]

If you send me $250, I'll buy a replacement, install it and make a video in the process. Would that make you happy?

[@jessicadavis4825]

what length and size of bolt did you use? the opposite side broke on my 06 Dakota yesterday

[@rottdogsparky]

@@jessicadavis4825 thought he said 10 mm? Let's hope he responds

[@devinrunnels9093]

Your plastic bed liner also makes your bed rust

[@DJAlup]

Yup, they make a better bed-liner that covers the entire bed and wraps up over the top of the edge of the bed that prevents water from getting under the bed-liner. I believe it was an option on the SLT models.

[@itspat7285]

Coulda sworn that was a makita grinder. Had me fooled.

[@SevenFortyOne]

Cheapo Harbor freight look alike I got for free from my employer's safety incentive program. It smells like it is going to catch fire every time I use it....but it keeps going....

[@itspat7285]

SevenFortyOne nice, at Home Depot now getting my bolt. Was it hard to put the tailgate back on? I’m assuming you put one side on then the other?

[@SevenFortyOne]

If I recall correctly, The "cups" on the gate have an opening so it slides on both sides at the same time.

[@itspat7285]

SevenFortyOne good to know, thank you!

[@itspat7285]

My 5/8 bolt was too big to go thru the hole. Ended up using a piece of 3/8 rod and a 5/8 nut grinded down with 2 3/8 nuts. Thanks again!

[@daschtv8938]

Dude just cuts how he installed the tailgate

[@SevenFortyOne]

If you don't know how to remove or install the tailgate maybe this isn't a job you should attempt