Before I take it apart, are there any parts I should have on hand? Thanks in advance!!

Pap

 

I'm assuming the dash one still works?

When my key switch wasn't working, the wire that goes from the body to the tailgate was broken. You can see the wire on the driver's / left side when you lower the gate. I unwrapped it and it was corroded and broken. Spliced in new wire and the tailgate key worked again. Hopefully that's all it is.

 

I can second what AbandonedBronco said. My tailgate key switch stopped working a long time ago. When I took things apart to investigate, one of the wires was corroded and I believe actually broke off. Splicing in a new section fixed it completely.

Now I just have to worry about getting new weatherstripping so the window doesn't bind and slow down on the old hardened stuff. I may want to toss in a new motor too.... it's still the original motor! I live on dirt roads too so dirt and debris always get in the back and the motor keeps on chugging, albeit very slowly.

 

Yes, the dash switch works fine. Thanks for the tip on the broken wire. Regarding the rear window motor, I did that change to a new Chinese replacement and it was worse. I put my old one back in. I also replaced the weather striping and it ran so slow that it almost wouldn't close. I put the old striping back in and spray the dog out of everything with pure silicon. That seems to help alot. I spent much time and effort on the dang back window and I'm basically back where I was in the beginning, slow but it gets there. The door windows are fast and never had any issues with them, just wish the rear window was even half fast as the doors.

 

The tailgate window on these was never fast even when brand new from factory. Just make sure everything is aligned correct and in good working order and live with it.

 

Yeah I know mines not fast either, but it fails to fully close sometimes now. It will leave a couple inch gap sometimes unless I hit the button up and down a few times and very gradually close. It works much better when warm, but still gives me some trouble sometimes.