Hi gang, found something interesting the other day, for some reason the drivers side rear door on my QuadCab will not open, pull the latch and it meets no resistance, like it doesn't 'catch' the mechanics to release, child safety latches come to mind but do not apply.

Is there a simple way to get the door open or at the innards without pulling the rear seat out the passenger side and disassembling?

I can't remember the last time I actually opened that door for any reason, only one door gets opened and closed daily, and that ain't it.

Figured I'd toss it up here before I;
1. wreck a bunch of stuff trying to get to the innards.
or
2. wreck a bunch of other stuff trying to accomplish #1.

 

If theres no resistance pulling the handle the rods probably just came loose.(You did try both handles?). Does either latch release? Often the bottom latch will sieze up. If it's just the rods loose you can remove the handle in the door opening and fish for the rods there to open it. If that's not it I can explain how to open the rusted latch.

 

Nope, neither handle will open the door, nor are they met with any resistance as if it were actually engaging anything.

 

Take the handle off and see if you can pull the rods to open the door.

 

My guess is the screw that olds the rocker arm on the outside door latch came loose, and you are turning the rod, but its not moving the rocker. The rocker attaches to the rods that go to the top and bottom latches. Been in my rear driver quad door 4 or 5 times now, never the passenger, finally blue tube lock tighted it, and that has held so far, about a month. Someone is probalby say omg!! Blue tube lock tite, haha but everything else failed in about a half dozen turns. Hope this helps.

 

HEY guys, i've been fighting this same thing for a while now,anyway,pulling on either of my drivers side handles and the top latch dissengages but the bottom stays latched,still looking for help or advice, thanks--RWG

 

If it's rusted the only way to open it is using a hammer and punch. Lay down and look between the door bottom and the rocker, there's a hole there in the end of the latch assembly. If your other door works you can take a look at that one so you have a better idea what you're looking for.
After you get the door open you have to take the interior panel off and remove the nuts from the top of the latch. If you don't you will just twist the bolts off.

 

I am having the same problem with my rear door, I tried all of the above including the hammer and punch with no luck. any other suggestion?

 

My driver side rear would not unlatch at the bottom. I took it to a friend's shop (that does body work at a local DC dealership).

He pulled the trim panel loose at the front edge of the door and removed the screws which allowed him access to the lock mechanism. He was able to get his hand inside the opening and pull the operating rod to release the bottom latch.

After the door was opened, the trim panel was completely removed. The operating rods were still in the correct position, but the retaining screw had backed out. Snugged the screw back up and everything works fine.

 

well I finally got my rear door open, with the help of a impact to break the nuts/studs off from the inside and a cuttoff wheel to cut the tab that comes up into the inside of the door and a $75 bill at the friendly dodge dealer for a new latch

 

My truck is doing the same thing, on the 95-98 chevrolet pickups, the interior door handles get a loose feeling and then sometimes will not open. the rods actually get bent and you loose all actuation movement. All you have to do is take the rod and put a little bend in it to take up the slack. Thats my project after work today...i'll let you know what i find.