Tailgate hinges on 81 Cherokee

Stock FSJ Tech Area
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BCRAWLER
Posts: 405
Joined: Fri Mar 29, 2013 10:11 pm
Location: Vancouver Island,BC

Tailgate hinges on 81 Cherokee

Post by BCRAWLER »

Removed the tailgate on my 81 Cherokee and broke two of the bolts holding the hinge to the body. Broke the 2 bolts that hold down the clip for the tension bars. Wound up removing the bolt that hold the tailgate to the hinge to remove. My question is if the 2 bolts that hold down clips pass-through the hinge and pass through nuts attached to the body or do they just go into the metal of the hinge. Just wanted to know before I started drilling them out how far I have to go. Tried to find images on the web to no avail and check the TSM but that was inconclusive.
1980 Cherokee,360/727/208, propane powered,unknown lift,31' Adventuro's on Chevy rims,Warn winch
1980 J10,360/standard/208, stepside
1970 GMC 4X4 Pickup, 78 frame, 84 350, Turbo 350/205, patina galore
1986 Blazer K5, 350/205/465 trans
1990 Cherokee XJ, about to scrap for FSJ parts, gone to parts graveyard in sky

SJTD
Posts: 1924
Joined: Tue May 21, 2013 12:02 pm
Location: Lompoc, Sunland or somewhere between

Re: Tailgate hinges on 81 Cherokee

Post by SJTD »

There's a floating nut plate under the body channel that has five threaded holes. All five bolts go through big holes in the body and screw into this plate. Body holes are big to allow adjustment. Plate is about 3/8" thick.

Hinges are aluminum so be careful the drill doesn't walk.
Sic friatur crustulum

'84 GW with Nissan SD33T, early Chev NV4500, 300, narrowed Ford reverse 44, narrowed Ford 60, SOA/reversed shackle in fornt, lowered mount/flipped shackle in rear.
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