Rear tailgate issues

[dicksong]

Hello,

Does anyone know how to open a rear tailgate that is locked from the outside? I think the latches are busted and am looking to get new ones of those or really just a new tailgate ( because it is very dented and looks bad ) for a 98 XLT v6 SOHC. I was experimenting with getting the latches on/off myself and was having a little trouble, but ultimately got it. I was having trouble with the threaded rods. I figured it out, or so I thought. I ended up not replacing anything since I don't have the new parts yet. Of course I had trouble getting the threaded rods back in place, so much so the driver side one is missing. What can I do? can I just cut off the lock striker with a jigsaw or something? Also, how do I remove the tailgate? I have the Haynes manual, but I'm not sure what the one sentence means? TIA.

 

[Mbrooks420]

Tailgate removes via two hinges. You can access them under the headliner. If you’re replacing the entire hatch, just start cutting.

 

[dicksong]

Tailgate removes via two hinges. You can access them under the headliner. If you’re replacing the entire hatch, just start cutting.

Is there a way to cut the interior metal part to make all of these parts more accessible? Experiment on the old tailgate?

 

[Mbrooks420]

Sure, you could cut some fairly large access ports, I’d think. Interior pics of the mechanism would probably be helpful to someone trying fix the latches or locks.