Tailgate
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Junior User
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: SoCal...Camarillo, CA
Tailgate
Any tricks? 
drivers side latch won't grab, the handle looks crooked and I don't feel resistance when I pull on it. Passengers side latch is stuck so I can't take the tailgate down.
Maybe you guys can tell just by looking what's wrong with the handle?
The tailgate skin has splits in it on the face where the latches are located on both sides.
I figure worse case I can sawzall around the latch on the passenger side so I can pull it off and just get a junkyard tailgate?
drivers side latch won't grab, the handle looks crooked and I don't feel resistance when I pull on it. Passengers side latch is stuck so I can't take the tailgate down.
Maybe you guys can tell just by looking what's wrong with the handle?
The tailgate skin has splits in it on the face where the latches are located on both sides.
I figure worse case I can sawzall around the latch on the passenger side so I can pull it off and just get a junkyard tailgate?
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,697
Likes: 3
From: Marengo, Iowa
The plastic clips that keep the rod in break, and the rod comes out, making it where you can't disengage the latch. You have to look through the hose that the handle is in to see if it is still connected. With the spot welds letting go like usual, it makes it hard to get the latches to work right. Also, I have seen where the latches wear grooves into the mount they ride on, and start to stick.
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,697
Likes: 3
From: Marengo, Iowa
Looks to me a tire blew out and folded it up... don't ask how I know... (or look in my gallery to compare...)
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Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,658
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From: Out of here
Sorry, but I just have to..............
Is that a redneck porch swing in the back of your truck? It sure looks like one.
All you need is some chain to hang it from!
Is that a redneck porch swing in the back of your truck? It sure looks like one.
All you need is some chain to hang it from!
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I figure worse case I can sawzall around the latch on the passenger side so I can pull it off and just get a junkyard tailgate?
Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: SoCal...Camarillo, CA
it has seatbelts too.
Postmaster
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,703
Likes: 3
From: La Vergne, TN
ok i got this problem too.
You should be able to work a small screwdriver in there and push the square pin back to open it. Then just take the latch out and work on it. I seem to remember my latch handle being lopsided too, and I remember taking it out and fixing it, but I can't remember what made it lopsided. Also a little lube goes a long way to making everything work better.
Postmaster
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,703
Likes: 3
From: La Vergne, TN
woops never mind i figured it out. with the slight bend there is in my tailgate the passenger side latch wasnt opening far enough. so i stuck the screw driver in there and assisted it. so no need for the explaination.
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