My *&^%$# tailgate won't open!!!

[Dirtball]

We got home a little while ago from Wally World and the tailgate wouldn't open... the driver's side popped open, but the pasenger side just ALMOST opens... the latch part in the door just won't come out of the part in the body...

Ideas?? I need to get it open...

[flatbackdragon]

leave window rolled up, inside jeep take off access plate to gate, as you reach into the gate to the latch that wont work, have someone else pull up on the gate lever and you help that latch release. when it releases, keep holding the lever up, get your arm out of there and roll down the window, open gate.
once open, you need to take out the latch that is giving you problems, two screws. They have small spring in them, they break. Any hardware store should have a spring that will work. If that spring is not in the latch, you may have to take out the other latch so you know what to look for at the hardware store, get two and do both sides.
You may or may not have to roll the window up while gate is open to get to insides if/when necessary, use a brace of some sort to hold the window when it is extended, like a saw horse or something like that, the glass won't support itself. (will need someone/thing to hold the hockey stick bar to roll the window up while gate is open)
grease the latches before and or when you install.

[jeepmandan]

Painted shut?

[Dirtball]

FBD,

Thanks... the window is already down... and mine comes out of the track fairly easily... and it's out right now (I hit a bump with it down and it fell down inside, which is no big deal normally... but it's why I need to get the gate open so I can pull the glass out). I'm sure I can't get to the latches right now though because of the glass... it a catch 22... is there any way to reach into the outside latch part with a screwdriver or something and help it open the rest of the way?

[Millerluck]

Get inside and give it a kick. Works on my 88.

Larry

[bigwoody]

a big kick opend mine when it was stuck. Worked good ever since. You might need someone to hold the latch handle up when you do it.

[Elliott]

Sometimes the good 'ol kick doesn't get 'er done....

http://www.fullsizejeeps.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10016/Tailgate-1.JPG
http://www.fullsizejeeps.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10016/Tailgate-2.JPG

It took me awhile just to punch the latch with a chisel...

[motox-010]

The rods in my tailgate broke or somethin, I just use a slim jim when I need to get it open now.

[evilrick]

My 87 Grand Wagoneer did the samething. I have the tailgate window out and are replacing the side channels, lift channel ( with new glass cushion ), wipe's, and attaching the de-froster wire's to the window grid. It had sat for a couple of days and like in your case, I could only get one side ( drivers ) to open. With the glass out I could see the rods going to each side and when I pulled the liftgate handle I could see them flexing & bowing out. I got inside and reached up threw the panel opening of the tailgate and held the rods as I pulled the handle and it opened right up. I'll be lubricating all the parts before I reassemble to help prevent it from happening again later down the road. I hope this works for you, good luck.

[Ristow]

may just need to adjust the throw on the latch release bar for that side,both sides are adjustable,on the inside of the gate,up near the top on both sides,a pair of scews that adjust the position of the actuating bars to each latch.

[andy d]

If the latch handle spring doesnt return fully, It is time to remove the glass and the dew wipe so you can work on the latch arms. The pivots bind up and give enough resistance so that the flat latch arms flex instead of releasing the latches. Follow Ristow's adjustment advice to get the gate open.
Then un screw the latch pivots and pull them up to where you can work on them. I use PB Blaster. Squirt it on and then work the pivots. They are stiff at 1st, but will ease up in a little while. Notice the rusty oil coming out of them? When they are loose and floppy grease them with white grease or chassis lube. While you have the glass out it would be a good time to jump out or replace the key switch if it is bad. Also replace the geezus clips and what ever of the various channels that have worn out. The PB Blaster works good on bound up hinge pins too. Re-assemble and adjust the latches. Next, exercise the tailgate regularly to keep it in operating shape.

[Dirtball]

I got it open early this morning... I got it open enough to get the glass out, then looked at the latch from inside the gate to see what was happening. When I would try to open it the latch would rotate a little clockwise (this is looking at the passenger side from inside the tailgate) and latch back. I stuck a screwdriver up in it and held it from doing that and it opened right up. I then lubed everything and it's opened and closed just fine. When I have more time I'll take both sides apart and clean them good.