Good evening. I just bought a 1981 f100 as a garden truck. The tailgate is stuck closed. The problem is at the handle end. I can feel where the rod clip has become unattached. However it feels like just a screw and I can pop back into hole and open tailgate. I want to place a proper rod clip. How do I get to the rod to place the clip. Too tight in handle area I can't see the rod only can feel it. How do I get to the rod mechanism.

 

The only access you have is through that handle hole. You can unbolt the mechanism which should allow you to bring the handle closer towards the hole. To remove the mechanism, just unbolt the three bolts on the opposite side of the tailgate. Make sure the latch rods don't fall out, they aren't fun to fish for.

 

10 MM bolts.

 

Just as Fordzilla80 describes.

Remove the three bolts holding the handle on from the opposite side of the gate, and the handle and rods will slip on down.

The upper right rod is placed on the upper handle attachment first, then the lower right one.

The rod clips are avaliable in the help section of most any parts store. Dorman #75451. Aftermarket Replica of Ford #E6AZ-5421952-A

Two are required. One for each rod.

 

Just to add because I had this same bit of confusion, at all the parts stores around here they were packaged as "door lock rod clips" and they actually looked too small almost, but that's exactly what I got and they work fine. Cant remember who exactly told me that to credit em though

 

The HELP! (Dorman) section sometimes has 'em.

 

I checked with my local Ford dealer, and he had a set of two rod clips in stock for under two dollars. They worked great! (this was about 4 months ago).

 

Thanks for the information. Anyone know a good mechanic in Austin Texas

 

Might ask here:

Texas Chapter - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums