I have noticed in pictures that not only my truck has a tailgate that looks like it doesnt shut all the way. Does anyone know how to adjust the latch to make it close flush with the back of the truck. Also is there any way to keep it from ratteling so bad. When I hit a bump it sounds like it is going to jump off the truck.

 

All you have to do is adjust the pins on your bedside that the tailgate latches to.

PM me friday, and I will remember to check what size the torx bit is to adjust the pins.

 

There are also some factory rubber wedges that hold the tailgate straps when shut. I actually have seen them still on a truck now and then. Very rare to still be on a truck.

 

I have mine, but one of them is kinda deformed. They keep everything from rubbing.

 

How do you adjust/fix the tailgate to open when you pull the handle. On mine you have to reach inside the bed and pull the little levers next to the latches. Is there an adjustment or a way to change it to where it will open when you pull the handle? Thanks.

 

Usually what causes that is the linkage rods falling off because the little plastic retainers broke. Not a hard fix, the plastic doo-hickeys are in the "Help!" section at the auto parts store.

Sometimes one of the levers on the handle assembly gets bent from the frustrated owner trying to open his now non-functional tailgate, you may have to straighten that too.

You'll figure it out when you get in there.

 

It may be in the sticky but here it goes.

Lower tailgate.

If you have the big trim with the red stripe, unscrew it and remove it.

Take out the 3 screws that hold the center handle and slip it down and unhook the two plastic clips that hold the side rods.

Take out the 2 bolts on each side latch and slide the latches out of the tailgate with the rods.

There are 2 usual failures:

1: Lack of use or oil will bend the uprights on the side latch where the rod hooks to it. Bend them straight "up" and it should work.

2: The plastic clips break and the rods fall out. Get a new clip at the dealer or parts store.

Read these steps in reverse to put it together and have a happy tailgate. It is simple after you do a couple.

 

I see Dave types faster than I do!

 

Here you go. http://ramchargercentral.com/index.p...owtoshow;id=29

 

Mine quit opening after hauling a large load of wood. One too many "too big of a load" finally bent the latches enough from all the pressure on the tail gate.

I removed the latches off each side, put them in a vise and commenced straightening back to square. Has worked effortlessly since.

And for the record, my rubbers are still on...

 

Thanks wannadiesel and suprdud. My other two trucks work fine but this one aggrevates the daylights outta me, you remember you have to open it from the inside after you pick up something bulky or heavy and have to set it down. Thanks.

 

I tried these, and could NOT for the life of me get them to snap onto the shaft. Its not like you have a lot of room to work with in there. I ended up getting robbed at the *********** for $12 for 1 left and 1 right clip. But at least I was able to get them clipped on in about 10 min.

Aaron

 

I have noticed that the assorted batch in the HELP section of a parts store sometimes has tailgate clips, door rod clips, and others all in the same package. It is very cheap compared to the dealer. The ones at the dealer seem to be a much better grade of plastic and may be worth more. I have used both depending on what I have at the time.

 

The last time I had to fix one on the door I used a piece of small diameter garden hose and some electrical tape. Worked very well.

 

I had the same problem. I removed the "shaft" (which is about triple the size of a good coat hanger), filed down the diameter slightly, and slipped the new clips on no problem. Because the new plastic clip isn't broken, a looser fit on the slightly smaller shaft is not a problem.

Note that the plastic clips are color-coded; one side is black and one side is white. And once you're inside the tailgate you might as well replace all four clips.