How to glue metal to metal?

@JacobZ

Thanks for your reply.
my apologies if I wasn’t clear enough before.
I’m aware that the plastic is removable (I am on job site and didn't have my impact driver a with me which made it impossible for me to unscrew the plastic cover, to take a picture of the actual problem/ for the solution that the locksmith came up with.)

According to him the latch is too low and instead of going above the latch hanging from the tailboard and to lock onto it, it’s getting pushed back. He mentioned that if he lifts it it will be too high and will probably fall over the latch. No matter what I’m basically screwed atm as nothing I do makes it lock it.
It was a job done by someone I didn’t choose and that person has also used a second hand tray which I wasn’t informed about as well.

like I said before; I’m beyond frustrated as nothing works as it should and my tools are completely exposed to anyone at any given point.

apologies if my explanation is poorly worded. I’m a non-English mother tongue and don’t know every word in detail yet.

@DIYGnome

thanks for your response

I kept emailing and calling the car sales person to fix the situation but they stopped answering my calls and emails as they were sick of me trying to solve the issue at their expense!
unfortunately they were interstate and I can’t just drive to Sydney to try making them fix their f$&@ up!

Unfortunately, your suggestion won’t work either as I can’t get behind the plastic panels on the sides.
I’m quite capable of using tools but at some point even I draw the line at what I’m able to do and what not.
I’m happy to learn new skills but unless someone takes the time and shows me I’m often stuck with watching YouTube tutorials and still don’t understand what I’m supposed to do.

JacobZ

Hi @Sybilla,

I completely understand your frustration as I had a similar situation with my ute where one side of the tray had broken so I could only secure it on one side, however my toolboxes were separate and lockable, so the issue wasn't quite as nerve wracking.

I'd really love to help brainstorm a solution with you because I understand how worrying it is to carry expensive tools, that you rely on for an income, without adequate security.

With your registration plate covered, would it be possible to take a few more photos of the overall back end of your ute?

It is hard to come up with something from the snapshots you've taken. A wider shot of what we're dealing with will certainly help. Seeing the tray back both open and closed would certainly also help.

My understanding from your description is that the tray of your ute has been replaced so the latch doesn't line up correctly with a canopy meaning it's not lockable at present.

Allow me to tag some of our knowledgeable members who I think will be able to help us come up with a solution, @Dave-1, @Noyade, @Jewelleryrescue.

I look forward to helping you further.

Jacob

Afternoon @Sybilla

I dont know of any glues that would stand up to that sort of punishment 😕 As @JacobZ has asked the next question about some more wider shots of the tray and the back of the ute that I would normally I ask I will wait for the photos if possible and have a think about how I could secure the tray.

Dave

Good evening @Dave-1 @JacobZ

It’s too late to take more pictures today as it’s too dark. I will leave that for tomorrow morning, but please believe me when I’m saying that I’m beyond grateful that you both want to jog your brain for a solution for me. 👍🏼😍
I’m at a point where I have to leave job site every 30 minutes to check whether my gear is still complete. It’s not viable to work like that; not to mention that I can’t go anywhere without constantly having to empty the back of my car or I’m in constant fear that someone might steal something.

Hi Jacob,

long story short: I bought the ute with a tarp but arranged with the car dealer to replace it with a lockable tray (for safety reasons).
he hired a dodgy guy who not only didn’t do the right thing but also installed a second hand tray.
I’ve got no problem using second hand stuff as long as everything works, but this isn’t the case nor ever was it.
I have only NOW found out that the tray’s brand name is called Mountaintop (no signage anywhere!) and went to a Ford dealer. The gentleman at the spare parts was extremely nice and knowledgeable and made time for us to look at the yard to find if there was anywhere a car with such tray and we were lucky enough that this was the case.
He was also able to tell me that Ford has taken these trays out of their range as it continues having issues. He recommended that mobile specialised car locksmith who came to job site the very next day.
Unfortunately he had only 3 solutions of which 2 were extremely expensive (1. Remove the back part of where the key is attached to to the tray and replace it with a new one. Parts are $600 without installation, 2. Replace the opening lever of the tailboard with an electric motor and connect it to the rest of the car’s electric; part is around $550 minus the installation which has to be done by a special electrician technician and we are talking about big $$$ here; and as a third version and the most inexpensive one he suggested to drill in between those two things - the plastic sheet and the metal on top. Once it’s done I should look at getting a metal piece or similar that connects the already existing hook at the inside of the ute to an additional socket once the back is shut closed. Sounds complicated but actually isn’t. It is actually a great idea, however I’m good, but I’m not that good that I can squeeze my hands between metal and the plastic to attach the washer and nut; unless I drill a hole in the back - which I refuse to do for obvious reasons ! ☝🏼😂😇

I will send more pictures tomorrow morning once the daylight is out as it’s too dark now.

A few more information in case it’s necessary:

- my utes model is an LDV.

- lockable tray is a Mountaintop.

- inside the ute are movable trays which were installed by a professional cabinet maker but non lockable as I need every single cm usage in this space/ area.

Thanks again for thinking of something to help me out here.
I’m seriously desperate for a long term and safe solution; and preferably as inexpensive as possible as I’ve already spent several thousands on something that doesn’t work!

Enjoy your evening.

We talk tomorrow again.

Regards,

Sybilla

Good morning
@Dave-1 @JacobZ ,

hope you two slept well.

The second picture shows the level to open the tailboard.
There’s no keyhole anywhere and on the right is the reverse camera installed.

The third picture was the explained idea of that locksmith technician. Drilled a hole into the plastic and metal to then attach an eye bolt to it so once it’s shut to close it within the open space from the top. I’m short so I’d have to go onto my tow bar to do it on either side; but I don’t mind as I’m used to climbing things due to my height.

it was a great idea but won’t work since I can’t push my hand between the plastic and the metal to push the eye bolt through and screw on the washer and the nut at the same time.
I was now thinking of hiring someone to have it welded onto the bottom back of the metal inside tailboard. This way I could screw the eye bold from the top through plastic and metal.
what do you think will that work?

the other picture shows the amount of holes that guy drilled to attach the not closing latch. I removed it to remove the plastic and haven’t put it back on yet. Doesn’t matter really since the lock won’t lock anyway.

Waiting patiently for your ideas.
Thanks guys.

Have a great Sunday.

Regards,

Sybilla

JacobZ

Hi @Sybilla,

Can I just confirm that the tonneau cover is supposed to be lockable independently of the tail gate?

It seems to me like there are two things that should be lockable and I'm a little confused as to which one is failing. The suggestion of installing an eye bolt makes me believe the issue is the tail gate, not the tonneau cover.

Can you confirm whether this is correct or not?

Apologies that I don't have a solution yet, but please hang in there, I really do want to find a solution for you.

Jacob

Hi @JacobZ,

I’m only guessing here, but I assume that you mean the top tray when you’re saying tonneau cover? (Apologies, I’ve never heard that word before and my translator comes with inconclusive results)

The back aka tailgate was never lockable; remember when I mentioned that the ute originally had a tarp cover!?

The new top / movable tray has a latch and the guy who has installed it added a closing latch to the tailgate (remember the picture with those 6 holes in the plastic cover?!). Supposedly to make it lockable; which it never was - right from the start.

Hope this clears up any confusion.

Keep asking away if not.

I added some more pictures of a row of little round pins to where the tarp initially was attached to.

No stress. I’m just thankful for you’re support and trying to help me!

Hi @Sybilla

I must admit to not fully understanding the problem @Sybilla - but regards the eyebolt attachment - what thread/diameter is it?

I'm just assuming behind the plastic (which can be removed?) the tailgate is double-hulled?

So may I suggest another case for the nut rivet? 😁

Maybe two that hold a plate with a tapped thread? Or a nut behind it?

The holes through metal are already there?

Just Sunday afternoon thoughts.

This is metal seen it the top corner? Diameter?

Afternoon @Sybilla

I think when I look at the rear of the tailgate and see the lock on the tray dioor, I was presuming that that button/key is a lock to keep the tailgait closed. I think thats where we are confused. And that there is a seperate lock for the cover to the tray itself.?

On to the eyebolt part tho. Can that hard plastic cover be removed from the rear of the tailgate? If it can it will expose the metal and hopefully you will be able to see either tie down/connection points or a hollow wafer type deal. (crossing fingers here as I am only presuming) I have just been looking online for a picture of what the bare metal of an LDV tailgate looks like and cant find any. There should be some screw points on the rear of the tailgate that will show up when the plastic is removed. That way you can go down the track of an eyebolt screw to one of these points. I did come across a bunch of differant locking mechanisims that could be fitted as well.

Hoping there are some "popoff" points for that hard plastic covering the inside rear of the tailgate.

Dave

So with the eyebolt and strap I am presuming a padlock or something solid will go through the eyebolt to the top cover to secure it?

So the plastic is not part of the tailgate @Dave-1 ?

Afternoo @Noyade

I am thinking its just a protective cover and to make it loook nicer. Your sketch works showing what I was meaning 🙂 I havnt see that model tailgate in its nakedness before, but other trays I have come across generally have the ability for fastening points.

Dave

@Noyade yes it is; but only attached via hidden screws. However I removed the caps for faster access to the metal underneath.

see below picture

Ok - thanks Dave. I was wondering if I should take my nut rivets and depart. 😁.

I have a twin-layered Holden Rodeo tailgate where it would work - just not sure what's to happen with the eyebolt @Sybilla?

Afternoon @Dave-1

It’s for a nicer look but also for people like me who are short. Every single time I need to go up I have to get one knee up at least. The feeling of plastic on human muscles and flesh is much nicer than straight up metal!

Sorry @Sybilla our posts crossed.

So once removed we can use the inner part of the tailgate metal?

Hi @Noyade

You sure can ☝🏼

No worries. I’m on job site and just happen to have a quick break to see if somebody came up with a solution for my problem.
once again I didnt bring my impact driver to undo the screws to take pictures from underneath.
sorry mate 😞

maybe later once I finish this job and the lights still good enough!

@Noyade The eyebolt is supposed to go into the tailgate and screwed on from underneath.
once I shut the tailgate I then can attach a carabiner to both bolts and secure them with each other.

Top cover can be shut by hand afterwards.

🙂 @Sybilla

Hoping that the waffle skin inside has those points you can use, if they do and you can find an eyebolt that fits an existing screwpoint even better. The hard cover I understand as I am only short as well. and I use it with my knee to get into a ute tray 🙂 I am not talking about permantly removing the rubberised/plastic coating, but just temporarily and then cut a hole for the attachment point if found.

Dave

@Dave-1 @I already did that. Drilled two holes on each side of the tailgate; matching the height of the already existing hook inside the utes back.
the technician suggested that I Lock it up from upside whilst the cover is open.
I attach more pictures.
makes sense now?

"The eyebolt is supposed to go into the tailgate and screwed on from underneath"

So that's why I think a nut rivet would work.

The rivet size just depends on the thread of the eyebolt.

Or I am still not on the right page with the problem?

Cheers @Sybilla

Afternoon @Sybilla

Almost makes sense tho I think I am missing something. do those holes go through the plastic and through the metal? The reason I was suggesting to remove the plastic was to have a clear view of what is underneath and see if theer is an attachment point. I dont think the plastic alone would be strong enough to secure anything properly on its own.

Do you have a photo of the plastic covering the tray door part removed by any chance?

Dave

@Noyade @Please be patient with me. I don’t understand half the words you guys are using.
What’s a rivet? What is it good for? How do you use it? Can I do it myself without having to get a PhD first or learn from YouTube tutorials. I’m seriously useless with those. I’m a hands on learner if that makes sense.

@Noyade @One more thing: there’s only about 1 mil between the plastic sheet and metal!

Afternoon @Noyade and @Sybilla

I really like Noyade's idea if there isnt a connecting point in the metal underside of the tray door.

Will let Noyade describe a rivet 🙂 As I have not really seen one big enough for an eye bolt but like the description.

It will be easy enough to do I would say if you have access to the inner skin of that tray.

Will check in later as have to go out in a bit.

Dave

@Dave-1 Grrr I didn’t even bring a screwdriver to undo the plastic.

yes, the hole goes through the plastic & the metal! I was very careful to not go too fast and deep to not touch the outer skin of the tailgate