2000 Tailgate won't open

[WncLee]

I went to unload the truck & the little yellow clip that actuates the latch broke. I can't access the panel from the inside because it's stacked full of chestnut lumber from the tailgate to the dash pretty much, lumber it too long to be able to pull out the sunroof. I pulled the license plate lights & could see the clip but couldn't get the tailgate to open. Is there some trick or should I break out the saw & cut the lumber down? The glass latch is stuck somehow also so popping the glass isn't an option. Don't want to cut the lumber but will if I have to, is from an 80 year old barn I tore down & some are 18" wide which makes it expensive lumber.

 

[koda2000]

If you can't open the glass either you're pretty much screwed. That's the only other way I know of to get the tail gate open once the clip breaks.

If you can somehow pull down on the rod the clip is/was attached to, you might be able to pop the latches, but I don't know if that's possible.

 

[intelisevil]

Is any of the lumber touching and pushing against the glass? If so, try pushing on the glass right where the latch is. This might allow it to pop open.

With what that lumber is, here's an out of the box suggestion . . .

Can you find a replacement tailgate for your rig in a local junkyard? If so, take a sawzall (or some other metal cutting tool) to the sheet metal of your tailgate to get to the mechanism to open it, then swap with the "new" tailgate.

This may seem a bit extreme but I fully understand the value of that wood!

Good Luck

 

[WncLee]

Time for a chainsaw inside of the truck LOL. The glass latch part crapped out & was going to take care of it once I was finished hauling lumber, it went in & heard a pop then nothing after that.

 

[intelisevil]

Time for a chainsaw inside of the truck LOL. The glass latch part crapped out & was going to take care of it once I was finished hauling lumber, it went in & heard a pop then nothing after that.

NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!

That load of wood is probably more valuable than your entire rig!

Remove driver's door, remove driver's seat, remove wood?