Tailgate, not opening

[Bluebird]

My tailgate dropped open when I pulled on gate to check if secure. Now the handle will move but it doesn't unlatch the gate. What did I do, h o w can I get it to open?
Thank you, everyone who can help. Patrick

 

[Bob4x4]

You probably broke the clips on the linkage or took some of the bend out of the links.Iirc there are small levers exposed on the inside of the gate at each side that will release the latch on that side.It been since forever since I’ve worked on a first gen

 

[DVolk]

If they are not stuck on the bottom.of each latch is a trip take a small screw driver and push it up , if that doesn't work good luck as I have a gate that is stuck on a parts truck