2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission tailgate stuck

[VolsFan]

Hi, did a search on here and this problem hasnt been discussed. One guy posted about it back in 2007 but no responses. My gate is stuck, but its a big deal because the gooseneck is hooked up to it and I cant pull away. Took the plastic fascia off, and the rod to my left moves freely, but one to the right is tight, feels like its not connected to anything at the other end. Just my luck, gotta get it down somehow tonight without damaging it too bad hopefully

 

[CESpitz]

I do not know how much room you have between the bed side and the tail gate on my truck there is enough room to cut the pin

with a sawsall and a good blade

 

[AWeiman]

you should be able to get to the latch lock assembly from the inside on both sides and drive the pin down with a screw driver and get both sides to release.

 

[VolsFan]

Thanks for the replies, I only wanted to use a sawzall as a last resort, thankfully didnt need it. Ultimately what it was was the latch on the passenger side was bent. I couldnt remember if the 2nd gen tailgates had the nice access panel like 3rd gens so I took my diamond plate cover off that is pop riveted and found it doesnt. Oh well. Took the latch off and the metal arm in the pic was bent, not sure how it got that way. I initially got the gate down by lifting up on the lever from inside the bed at the latch and it released. Taking latch off was easy but putting back in required finnesse without the access panel. But it is all buttoned up and working properly