Tailgate Hinges

Anyone ever take these off before? They appear to be a t40. But they are super tight. Not sure if just rust or maybe there is loctite on there as well. I tried some penetrating oil and then a map propane torch on the back of them. Still super tight and worried I will strip them. Any ideas?

I have a tailgate ramp I want to put on and want these off to check the fitment.

 

I would ask a bodyshop.....

 

Funny you should ask this right now as I am trying to get mine off too.

I need them off to get my Shell to line up correctly and seal to the back of the truck and I got one off without issue when I put the shell on but the other side is being a little bitch about being removed!

So I tried to ignore the bad fit on that side until a few weeks ago when I tried a little persuasion applied with a 4 lb sledge and of course broke the tail light on that side but the hinge did not budge!

So I got a replacement lens the other day and I am going to remove or lift the shell out of the way and soak the crap out of the hinge bolts over a few days and see if that gets me anywhere.

Very frustrating to say the least.

 

That's my plan as well. I guess its just rust. Will try homemade trans fluid mixed with acetone. Soak it a few times probably.

 

My plan as well roughly but using a special Penetrating I got from a friend said to be a Miracle Worker.

I bent 2 T40 bits on the first go around in an old fashioned Impact Wrench that you hit with a hammer to get it to rotate,I am scared that using power tools or air that I will strip or break something and then have to drill or sawzall after that or both!

 

Good luck