79 tailgate latch
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Junior User
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 98
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From: Kentucky
79 tailgate latch
I recently replaced my my tailgate latch due to the round "button" being broken off. Not too bad for original.
I used a new one from LMC. It lasted about eight or ten operations before the finger "jumped' out from behind the button. It acts like the finger needs to be longer or my latch rods need to be adjusted--if that is possible.
Any of yall had that problem? Thanks
I used a new one from LMC. It lasted about eight or ten operations before the finger "jumped' out from behind the button. It acts like the finger needs to be longer or my latch rods need to be adjusted--if that is possible.
Any of yall had that problem? Thanks
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,037
Likes: 9
From: Kasson, Minnesota
I had about the same problem with one of those cheap ones. Mine bent the first time opening my tailgate and then the rods/clips wouldn't stay in the holes. I put an old original one back in and works just fine. I even cleaned and lubed the latches up before I put the cheap one in and never made a difference. The ones from LMC are just too thin.
MSEE
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10,386
Likes: 35
From: Austin, TX
My original handle did that - it would "jump" out of alignment because of what appeared to be the stud not being long enough. So I replaced it with one of the cheap ones, and it had the same problem. Not only that, but one of the welded nuts broke off when I reinstalled it. I figured I was the only one having this issue until one time I was in a junkyard and saw another style of handle from another '79 that has a hook-like mechanism instead of the stud. I swapped to that style and haven't had a single problem since.
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