I've had this truck for three years and the tailgate has never latched without coaxing The handle works and feels as if it's working fine it's the latches that won't catch With the tailgate open looking down at the latches I see a little lever that slides front to back on each latch I have manually push each lever forward then the tailgate latches properly, no big deal for me but every time my wife uses the truck and drops the tailgate she can't get it back closed, so then I get a call at work (even though I actually showed her how to do it) "I can't get the tailgate closed" I took the thing apart on a couple of occasions hosed it down with LPS-2, then another time with PB Blaster can't find nothin wrong really (^%^% me off

anybody got the same problem what's the fix new latches

 

Check out the following thread...explains a lot of the particulars of tailgate problems....there are some internal clips that may be broke off. Have a look:

https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...threadid=58414

PS: what's yer wife doing drivin your truck anyway??....

 

I did read the whole thing that's what got me goin on this thread, didn't really see the exact symptoms as mine but I think I'll rip the ol' bag apart again and give'er a good thrice over

 

PS: what's yer wife doing drivin your truck anyway??.... [/B][/QUOTE]


Oh yeah she seems to think it's her truck
She thinks that free 1980 F-100 4.9 2wd rotted old faithful P.O.S. that she wouldn't be caught dead in is my primary ride and not the Dodge


BTW at least when were both in the Dodge I'M THE DRIVER

 

pretty much the same symptoms....my handle worked and everyting as well.....mine turned out to just be frozen.

But there are some good tips in there about the internals....I dont think theres much more to it than whats talked about in that thread.

good luck.

 

You need to remove the handle and lube the pivot points on the arms that attach to the push pull rods. PM me if you have questions.

 

Oh yeah she seems to think it's her truck
She thinks that free 1980 F-100 4.9 2wd rotted old faithful P.O.S. that she wouldn't be caught dead in is my primary ride and not the Dodge


BTW at least when were both in the Dodge I'M THE DRIVER [/B][/QUOTE]
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I see the Evil one is stirring the macho pot again.

If she likes the truck, so be it. You know what they say if mamma ain’t happy, nobody’s happy. Get her one of her own.

As far as the driving when you’re both together:
Mr. Flashdancr is secure in his manhood, he likes being chauffeured by a blonde in a nice truck.

This post talks about the same trouble your having with your tailgate. Hope it helps.
https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...light=tailgate

 

Mr. Flashdancer probably walks...or rides his bombed mountain bike....

 

He has a bombed Corvette.

 

well thats alright.....a vette is my other vehicle....(ya right)

 

Yah mean a cheVETTE

 

Use synthetic LUBE. PB Blaster, WD-40, LPS-2 are either not lubes or not adequate lubes.
My favorite is synthetic lubes sold in bicycle shops. Small bottles and tubes that fit in small areas. Top quality stuff at a reasonable price

Who cares who drives, just as long as she is the one getting out to ask for directions.......

 

Hey Evil did you bomb that chevette your drivin'?

 

That was my solution....

 

Uhh, back to the original question I think, Take a look at the hinge pivots. There is supposed to be a "plastic" bushing on the pivots. It wears out and lets the tail gate drop down a little, which is just enough to jam up the latches. You can replace them or adjust the latch pin so it latches correctly.

PS, My wife loves to ride in the Dodge CTD but is afraid to drive it, says it's too big for her. Maybe this summer I'll get her behind the wheel.