I think I'm going to finally get some paint squirted on the scout after the new year, but really wanted to address some of the lingering rust that has really been annoying me. So, it's time to address the tailgate. It was a PITA to get the tailgate off, finally I had to weld 3/8 bolts to the screws to get them out. Anyways, with the tailgate off I took everything apart and after a little cleaning, I found the little "track" for the locking mechanism inside the hollow part of the tailgate. Also got the lock cleaned up and working. I also bought some bushings for the release bar that will go in. But, first things first -- RUST.
First, I had to cut roughly 1" off the bottom lip of the tailgate, just above the green tape.
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Once, that was cut off, I took an abrasive wheel, sandpaper, wire wheel etc to try and clean off as much loose scale as possible. I also jammed a wire wheel into a piece of 5/16 fuel tubing to run down the round hole across the bottom where the tailgate mounts are.
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Then I washed/degreased everything, and welded up all the rust holes and holes from the tire carrier and LIBERALLY coated everything for a few days with ospho to try and kill as much rust as I possible could. I also cut a new strip of metal to replace the section that I cut off and got it all tacked in place, I also painted both surfaces to help prevent further rust. Still need to finish welding it out.
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