2003

It pulled loose

What are the various methods to reattach it I know I am not the first one.

thanks

 

Mine came out last winter. It was -40c and I let go to soon and it slammed and broke the studs.

So here's what you do.

Remove the pull down strap on the interior panel. And any other visible bolts. I think there is 2 at the bottom. Then you carefully and I stress carefully start pulling the interior panel off. Try to find where abouts the pins are and gently work them out.

Remove the screws holding license plate light bezel.
You will have to remove the tailgate handle cable to remove the tray.
DONT close your tailgate until you have re assembled. Or you will be clbing over your seats to open it again.

I think there were about 6 plastic studs. Some of these will be broken.

I then glued them back on with loctiite 401. Be generous. Let it cure. Then I got rid of that crap foam tape and used black silicone under the entire perimeter of the tray. This is more to adhere the tray to the metal as its a very poor design. The studs will continue to break otherwise.

If it's cold where you are. Be really gentle. The plastic loves to snap.

 

Glad I clicked this thread.
I was just going to replace it, but at $250 a pop. :-(
How is yours holding up?

 

It is holding up great. I have slammed it a couple of times by accident and thought it would break but it hasn't.



I was going to replace it as well but with shipping etc. it was going to cost me around 400. Crazy! For that plastic pos. that would just break again. I searched wrecking yards and they were all broken too.

When you glue the studs back on be real careful not too overtighten. Let the silicone be the primary fastener.

Pretty easy repair. Not breaking plastic is the biggest challenge.

 

Well I worked on mine today. Got all the way to the part I was going to silicone, and the tube I planned to use was solid. :-( Ill pick some up at Lowes tonight or tomorrow.
3 of my bolts broke when I tried to undue them to re-glue em down. I think Ill just get some 1"x 3/8 hex heads and glue those down. Imma see what Lowes has and try to get something with as wide as head as possible for contact to the plastic/epoxy.
Was there any certain black silicone you used? I was thinking of getting the stuff for windshields.

 

I used "Ultra black" RTV gasket maker by permatex.

For glue I used loctite 416 or 401 instant adhesive. Stuff works awesome.

I also thought if this repair didn't work I would get two pieces of flat bar. Make an x pattern. Drill and put a 1/4" hole in the center of the x. Then place it inside the tailgate so it spans the tray hole.

Get the RTV on back of the tray.
Place it in tailgate and tighten up studs.
After the adhesives have had time to cure and is not going to move.
Drill som 1/4 holes through the tray into the arms and sandwich the tray.

* hide the bolts under the license plate
* use big fender washers on the exterior side. Will help disperse the load on the plastic.

This is just an idea I had. So if it may require some head scratching and modding.

Not trying to sound like a jack off. Hope it helps.

Let us know how you made out.

 

I dont think you are a jack off. I see what you are saying.
It would look kinda cool if you could get some big anti theft button head bolts to go trough the license plate tray. Not really for the anti-theft, but just a bolt head that looks cool.

And Ill get some RTV tomorrow. Should be easy to find at OReilys.