Factory tailgate hinge stabilizer?

[f2502011]

I want to keep the factory tailgate hinges. I’m aware of the cables and silencer kit and don’t want to go that route on an OE restoration. Issue is the hinges slide some by design where they attach to the tailgate. This allows them to dig into the inside tailgate and scratch paint off. Is there anything out there or that I can use to stop them from sliding?

 

[nvrstuk]

Yeah, bicycle inner tube. I would assume since you are worried about paint scratches that you would also care about how a bicycle inner tube would look slipped over the arm of the hinge. Me, my motto like my bumper sticker says "... cause pretty ain't enough" so I'm 100% function over looks but that's what I put on mine back in '1977 or '78 when I got tire of listening to mine rattle for a couple years! lol

Really works great but it itsn't pretty.

Can you stick a pc of clear plastic on the edge of the hinge arm to keep it away from the paint??? Epoxy paint the hinge arm in clear?

Let us know what you do as I'm sure there are guys that would be interested in your fix. Best of luck.