1986 Tailgate jammed
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1986 Tailgate jammed
When I got the truck, the tailgate wouldn't open. It just twisting the metal on the latch now. It appears to have been bent in from the back as the chrome is bowed. It may be easier just to get a Pull-a-part gate for $30, but how do I release the rods that engage the bed sides? The only bolts I found were on the inside of the gate behind the handle. The driver one seems to pull back, passenger one stuck.
New User
Joined: May 2009
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Sometimes, the latch rod falls off the tailgate handle, because the latch rod clip breaks. You can hold the end of the latch rod in the hole, while pulling on the handle to release the tailgate.
Shine a flashlight in under the handle, you'll see what I mean.
Replacement parts are cheap: http://broncograveyard.com/bronco/c-...gate_truck.htm
Hope this helps.
Shine a flashlight in under the handle, you'll see what I mean.
Replacement parts are cheap: http://broncograveyard.com/bronco/c-...gate_truck.htm
Hope this helps.
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,697
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From: Marengo, Iowa
Typical.. they don't offer the actual latches... Anyway, as stated, look inside the gate from underneath and see if the rod came out. The retainer clips are just plastic and tend to fail. You can maybe pull the rod with some needle nose locking pliers if necessary.
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Joined: Nov 2008
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Thats funny, i just fixed my 85. It was froze up and the handle was a little bent from tugging on it. I had to use a 8" screw driver to slide in from the bed side to unclip the latches. It was a pain in the butt, but after about a half hour i got them unlatched. Then i undid the bolts that hold the handle on and undid the rods, my clips were fine. I lubed up the latches and took one out to see if maybe it was the culprit. After checking everthing i determined it was the handle assembly. There is a stud on the handle assembly that had bent slightly and it was not retracting the latches enough so i bent it back to allow it to work properly. I only used seafoam to lube and should have used something thicker so if i have it apart again i will use heavy gear lube. Lube the handle assembly also. Hope this helps.
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