Find a piece of pipe that just fits over the hinge on the bed. Cut the side out of one so that it slips over the one on the right side. Weld the pieces of pipe inside what's left of the original gate-side of the hinge.

 

Haha it just came to me while I was welding up the hinges on my bed/tailgate. I saw this post and had to ask my dad if the truck came with bushings because I've never seen em before!

 

 

Heres what I did on passenger side hinge. Tailgate bushing - Dodge Diesel - Diesel Truck Resource Forums
https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...ushing-332735/

 

I was just going to order from mcmastercarr.

M

 

A 7/8 socket fits in the tailgate then weld it into box let me know if that works trying to do same thing