Hi... I just bought this truck and had my first surprise today. It looks like the tailgate "hinge" is destroyed by rust. Do I have any options other than a new tailgate?

 

Find a welder???

 

And he's not talking about "J B"

 

Both parts look like they can be replaced. Unbolt/cut the old one out and install the new one.

 

I could fix that for you easy peasy...but im far from Jersey!
Cut a piece of pipe - clean up all the rust and weld new piece on - paint it -

 

Thanks Gents. I'm not a welder so that's out. I found one on CL for $130. I sent a message so hopefully it will pan out. One of these days I do need to learn how to weld with the wire types. Last time I welded was with an arc welder back in high school days.

 

You could probably find a guy around (craigslist) that would do it for $20-$30.

 

That's a great idea. And you would probably would not have to paint the outside at all. I got a replacement for my 'dinged up' tail gate and the best price I could find for a body shop to paint it (to match) was another $150.00.

 

NM