All,

I am putting together a 1995 Dodge 2500 regular cab 4x4, but have used parts from many year 2nd gens.

I had a bed painted, and am getting ready to place the tailgate on, but the mounts are different! They are both painted, so I need to use them. I hope someone has an easy fix!

I'll try and download pics of both the mounts on the tailgate and the truck to give an idea of the mis-match

 

looks like the gate slides over the post on one end, and then the other end is "keyed" and only slides over the post on the other end in a certain angle, via the open space?

 

NO, it will not fit

 

One didn't happen to come from a 2002 1500 did it?

I can't say I ever saw a different true 2nd gen bed that was different, but don't forget, 2002 1500's were technically 3rd gens.

 

The posts and bushings on the bed side look correct, I have never seen anything like on the tailgate on any year second gen. I wonder if it was aftermarket....

 

That wouldn't be the end of the world if it was. I could just replace with the correct mounts then. Anyone have a source for what I need?

I know this is a 2nd Gen tailgate because I took the "guts" out of a 1998 Dodge 1500 tailgate, and everything fit perfectly. I'm baffled as to why the mounts are so different.

 

I believe the tailgate I have is from a 1999. Any way to make this work without too much modifications?

 

I have seen the bolt on style bracket before.
It is a stock Dodge tailgate. It allows you to bolt it on as an anti theft device I am guessing.
I bet you could bolt on the other style hinge and mount that tailgate right up.
If you can not find the right hinge, let me know and I will dig one up.

 

I have that exact tailgate style on my '95 3500, but I know it is not the original tailgate for that truck.
I had that same tailgate with the bolt on bracket on my '95 I bought new as well IIRC.

 

That looks like an aftermarket anti theft device as mentioned above.

I just run a hose clamp over mine to slow them down.....

 

you didn't look at both sides. Won't fit over pin on drivers side

 

Well maybe you need to change the driver side hinge then...

 

great advice!

 

Huh, the drivers side cup on the tailgate looks a lot smaller than mine....

 

yesir, that's what baffles me. It is a 2nd gen tailgate, but different than other gates I've seen in the junk yard, and on other trucks. I can weld on the cups I need from another donor truck, but I thought there might be another, and easier way