Tailgate won't open

[adsm08]

My tailgate gives me trouble opening up, its a two handed process that every so often results in the spraining of one or both of my thumbs, and that my girl refuses to do. I know the rods are good because I can pull the handle with it open and the latches move.

One of my friends adjusted the latches for me once and it went away for a few weeks, but I didn't see how he moved them and he didn't tighten them down enough, and they moved again. And now I can't get a hold of him to ask him what he did.

Has anyone had to do this before and can be able to tell me which way to go so I don't make this worse by accident?

 

[AllanD]

Adjust the loop strikers (mounted to the bed with Torx screws)
as far OUTBOARD as you can.

You want to move the "loops" as far from the tailgate as you can
get them without the outer end of the latch hitting them.

AD

 

[Original_Ranger84]

Have you tried pushing on the tailgate then lifting the lever? Works like a charm for me.

 

[bcost882]

The handle levers on mine bend out once in awhile so it won't pulle the lever down on one side i had to bend them back so the strikers would hit the levers. I'll post some pix tomarrow if you would like to illustrate my points cause it is hard to describe

 

[RatDog8o8]

I spent about 4 hours yesterday working on a similar problem, to the point of grinding off about 1/8" of the "loops" so there was a bit more outboard lateral adjustment. Still had to beat on one (driver's side) to tweak it a bit more, and now it works pretty good.

But during this process, I noticed that to actuate the latches, I have to move the latch handle way out to unlatch the gate. Is there a way to adjust the connecting linkage between the handle and the latch-bolts?

 

[straycat]

Darn...never had any troubles with a tailgate issues ever!!! Sometimes a buddy will tell me he had to push his tailgate inward to to get it to open. Another buddy said he did a Google search on 'How To' and found the easy way to adjust it. Maybe you can Google it, Bro.

 

[RatDog8o8]

That was on the list of places to research. Figured I'd go to the experts first! (What would have been nice is if there were some removeable "access panels" in the tailgate.)

Update:
In a Google search, which led me back to TRS (naturally!!), I learned that the access panels were reserved for later-model Rangers than my '92.

 

[straycat]

That was on the list of places to research. Figured I'd go to the experts first! (What would have been nice is if there were some removeable "access panels" in the tailgate.)

Update:
In a Google search, which led me back to TRS (naturally!!), I learned that the access panels were reserved for later-model Rangers than my '92.

Life is so cool, Bro!! TRS rules!!!! Maybe ask a body shop?? I had to go to one one day last year when I bought new headlights for my wife's Corolla. They were so faded the restore kit I bought only helped a bit. I found a pair on eBay brand new head lights for $169 with shipping. I could not figured how to get to the two lower bolts. I went to a body shop and one of the mechanics helped me put them on for free!!! He noticed that I usae a cane to walk and then saw my military decal and my DAV plate and he said he would not charge me the $40 to put four bolts on!!! Once the car was in the air you could see where the two hidden bolts were. I gave a $20 tip to the manager and said buy refreshments on me for the guys!! There are still good people in this world!!!!

 

[adsm08]

Oh holy old thread.

I'd forgotten about this. Forgot so good that I never did go adjust my tailgate loops.

 

[RatDog8o8]

Oh holy old thread.

I'd forgotten about this. Forgot so good that I never did go adjust my tailgate loops.

I found it doing a TRS site-search. Had to end up rigging a 5/16 bolt and a heavy fender-washer in place of the welded-in body nut (no longer welded in) that the latch bolt goes to. Of course, it was the bolt that the gate cable attaches to, so had to rig that part too.

I might get industrious and "install" my own access panels.

 

[Hahnsb2]

Rangers have to have one of the worst tailgate latch mechanisms ever, at least 1st and 2nd gens. Never encountered one that worked worth a shit.

 

[RatDog8o8]

Got the latch/unlatch part worked out, to a functional degree. Now, it's just adjusting the linkages so I don't have to pull the handle out so far.

 

[Ranger Dave (B25)]

Might be a silly question:

Does it need to be lubed? Mine did the same thing, so I lubed it up, and it's WAY easier to open now. Use white grease spray, or some of that brake-lube-in-a-pouch that the parts stores sell.

 

[RatDog8o8]

Did that as part of the latch fix. Helped a lot in addition to the adjustments made.