Tailgate Lever Rods - One Disconnected
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Joined: Oct 2008
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Tailgate Lever Rods - One Disconnected
I have to use needle-nose pliers to open or close the tailgate on my 73 f100.
The wire rod that goes from the right side latch to the release handle in the middle of the tailgate is disconnected at the release handle.
I have to reach up in there with pliers and pull it to release the right side latch.
Left side is still connected to the handle and kept connected to the handle with what looks like a plastic clip.
I don't have enough room to fix it just by working thru the handle opening on the front of the tailgate.
Can I get to that by taking the back off the tailgate?
Looks like the former owner used a few pop-rivits to keep the panel on....so I'd like to know before I go drilling all those rivits out...
Thanks
The wire rod that goes from the right side latch to the release handle in the middle of the tailgate is disconnected at the release handle.
I have to reach up in there with pliers and pull it to release the right side latch.
Left side is still connected to the handle and kept connected to the handle with what looks like a plastic clip.
I don't have enough room to fix it just by working thru the handle opening on the front of the tailgate.
Can I get to that by taking the back off the tailgate?
Looks like the former owner used a few pop-rivits to keep the panel on....so I'd like to know before I go drilling all those rivits out...
Thanks
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,312
Likes: 1
From: Eldorado Ca. USA
no way to get in there to fix anything. Use a piece of wood to jam the latch open at the end of the tailgate, get another plastic clip from the parts house, put it together, take the wood out, enjoy working tailgate.
MSEE
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10,386
Likes: 35
From: Austin, TX
Was looking through some photos I had, and came across this. Everything MB said is dead-on, and I thought a picture would help too. The handle in this picture is busted, so the peg doesn't catch, but it shows how the rod lock clips go. On a good handle, if the rods are in the position they are shown in the picture, the handle should be closed and you wouldn't be able to see the rods.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 8,786
Likes: 28
From: Northern California
Remove the three bolts holding the handle to the tailgate on.
This will drop the handle low enough to work on the bottom clip.
To reach the top clip, remove the bottom rod, and this will let the handle drop enough to get at the top clip.
Would be a good idea to replace both rod clips at the same time.
This will drop the handle low enough to work on the bottom clip.
To reach the top clip, remove the bottom rod, and this will let the handle drop enough to get at the top clip.
Would be a good idea to replace both rod clips at the same time.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,701
Likes: 6
Similar to NOCO77, I used the all metal clips off a bumpside door mechanism. No more crappy plastic to break.
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 140
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From: Oregon
I need to do this also. Do either of you happen to have a Napa part number in case the local store isn't much help?
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Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 4,423
Likes: 8
From: Clarksville,Tn
I'm glad I've read this post to find out about those metal clips; I'm too wanting for a part number if possible, but will check with Napa this week if I get a chance.
Thanks NOCO77.
Mitch
Thanks NOCO77.
Mitch
Last edited by Customcab; Oct 27, 2008 at 10:16 PM. Reason: Poor typing skills
Elder User
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 514
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From: Northern Colorado
Sorry, don't have the little baggie anymore, but they were just hanging on one of their little racks, sort of like the HELP racks. Same area as the little moulding clips and barrels and interior panel barbs and stuff. Our store is kinda old school and hasn't been modernized like all the newer ones, but there should still be some kind of rack area like that. Those clips were also used commonly on carb. linkages, GM kick-down cables, etc. so they shouldn't be too hard to come up with. Heck, I've even seen them in our local Coop in their hardware section, which is an Ace.
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