Tailgate Jammed Shut.

[Getter-Done]

What about an Induction heating tool.

This is a Lower level one.

Link: https://www.amazon.com/EMAGIH-Repair...8PD8ZSXZ&psc=1


I hope to get one of these one day.

['68OrangeSunshine]

Originally Posted by Getter-Done

What about an Induction heating tool.

This is a Lower level one.

Link: https://www.amazon.com/EMAGIH-Repair...8PD8ZSXZ&psc=1


I hope to get one of these one day.

Ingenious! Not so sure I could get the coils to set on a rounded flush stovebolt head. But the concept is brilliant.
We may be overthinking this project. And $217 clams is out of the budget until I'm just that frustrated.

For the present, I shot the screwheads with yet another irrigation of PBB.
Then it started raining again.

I did mount a small LED stick light on the RH Hatch Hinge Plate using a 1/2'' conduit clamp to hold it up. Now, I can light up the whole tailgate area, and it only runs on 3 AAA batteries.

[howzzzit]

I'm getting excited!!!

['68OrangeSunshine]

Originally Posted by howzzzit

I'm getting excited!!!

Well, today IS a good day to whack an Impactor at some stovebolt screwheads...
But, what if I get the Tailgate back down, and the old handle is FUBAR? I will have to wait until the new part gets in. I can't sideline this truck. It's my daily. [And only runner.]
Well. I guess I could try to free up the old handle and inspect it. I don't really need to drop the tailgate for anything.
Funny, I'm held up by a $25 dollar part, and have an impatient national audience now.

[best view]

Yup i haven’t left my chair in 13 days hurry up I am going to have to go poop soon

[jaros44sr]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
That is hilarious

Spit my whiskey and gingerale on my tablet

[ghackett1]

Originally Posted by Warrens69GMC

Also try a impact driver

Ditto…

['68OrangeSunshine]

Don't THAT beat all...

I went out to check on it.
Shot them stovebolts with another touch of PBB. And decided to finger feel for which relay rod had come loose. Anyway, they were both connected.
So I gave an exploratory tug on the old handle...
And the Mother%$#@ker opened right up and dropped the tailgate like normal!
All the PB Blaster lubed it back up.

Since it ain't broke, I ain't gonna fix it. Maybe I'll buy a chrome one later, IDK.

Sorry. I know my Public wanted graphic shots of mangled stovebolt heads being nudged ever-so-slowly open by an EasyOut -- in three chapters -- but we must learn to live with our dissappointments.

Thanks to everyone who participated. Your suggestions were valued. I will keep the Impact gizmo, cheap enough. Perhaps all the Positive Energy manifested the Tailgate open by the Force. Who could dispute that?

Anyway. Nothing to see here now. Move along please...

[howzzzit]

What a let down for the audience. Just kidding. Glad it's fixed or is it???????

['68OrangeSunshine]

Originally Posted by howzzzit

What a let down for the audience. Just kidding. Glad it's fixed or is it???????

I reckon it's fixed for now. Just needed lube. If it acts up again, I'll assemble the Posse.

[samkost]

Your weekend just became brighter.
I’m glad you got…… “the Mother%$#@ker opened right up”!!
Good job,

[best view]

Thank Christ now I get that poop out

[Jason Banks]

This made my day.... been following with anticipation...

[HO455]

OKAY Butch, you can put the dynamite away now.

Man it's great when you get to go home a winner.
Congratulations!

[RichardJ]

Now that it is open, this would be a good time to get those screws loose and knock the rust out of the screw threads.

[RichardJ]

>>I can't sideline this truck. It's my daily. <<

Correct me if I'm wrong, but this Jimmy has a 350 and your 292 is in a step side? I enjoy hearing about inline six's on the road, especially 292's, What's going on with yours?
I have a 2018 Ram 3500 6.4, but the '67 292 GMC is usually the one going out the driveway.

['68OrangeSunshine]

Originally Posted by RichardJ

>>I can't sideline this truck. It's my daily. <<

Correct me if I'm wrong, but this Jimmy has a 350 and your 292 is in a step side? I enjoy hearing about inline six's on the road, especially 292's, What's going on with yours?
I have a 2018 Ram 3500 6.4, but the '67 292 GMC is usually the one going out the driveway.

Hi Richard -- the '68 C/10 Stepside was my daily driver from June 1973 to April 9, 2022, when I got T-boned by a big Mercury [ex cop car].

It took out my differential, and trailing arms, crushed the RH Rear stepfender, bent the passenger side wheel, and bent the prop shaft. I did not claim insurance with Allstate -- afraid they would assay it as too old, and total it. [Happened 22 years ago with my '67 K/10 Suburban] With a Salvage Title, I can't do much with rebuilding the truck, unless it's a total resto. State safety inspection required.And then the resale value is low. So rebuilding the Stepside is all out of pocket.

Ironically the 292 still purrs.
And I first changed out the Float in the Gas tank, then the whole sender, then the gasket again. Indication on gauge is a lot better, but now I get in-cab fumes. Not a major gripe.

Parts accumulated: used Trailing Arms $120. New bushings, $20. Machinist's charge for pressing in bushings, $100. Pass Side rear Step fender, $350.
I had the core [$200] of a rear carrier rebuilt -- $1250~. Salvaged and rebuilt my Eaton Posi, $350.
Install rebuilt rearend and trailing arms, $600. Fresh rear brake cables, $200.

After getting the Stepside back on the road, I noticed steering pulls right -- Wheel points to 2 O'Clock. Brakemasters could not align. Suspect bent frame. No more real steel frame shops in Tucson, anymore.
Excessive vibration at speeds over 66 MPH, a shop told me, is due to a big dent in the Propeller Shaft.
Stepside is still a grocery getter, if I stay off the floorboard, but I haven't dropped the Shaft for inspection with a driveshaft specialist yet. That will sideline it until the PropShaft issue is corrected.

So the Jimmy is now my Daily.