2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission tailgate won't latch

[Deejayare]

my tailagte never worked. it only latches on one side. it rattles badly when i hit bumps.



anyone know the part numbers for a complete rebuild of the tailgate? two dealers i checked with are lost. they can't find any info. on part numbers. one of them sold me some goofy kit that didn't seem to fit. hard to tell since they don't seem to know how it installs. 1994, 2500 4x4

 

[TboneMan]

Mine didn't for for some time, until I finally got around to fixing it.



It could just be the handle (in the middle of the tailgate). I don't know the part number. It has two scissor type mechanisms connected to rods that connect to the latches on either side of the tailgate.



The scissor mechanism was seized. My 2001 had three bots, one of which was rusted so bad I had to drill it out.



A local dealer had the handle ($75 !!!). The bolts however were not a dealer parts. He threw in three bolts with nuts he got back in the repair bay.

 

[Cowboy Medic]

mine had only one side latching for quite a while and I found that it was the scissor type mechanism behind the handle in the middle. I took it apart and cleaned it really good and then lubricated it with some white lithium grease and it has worked great now for about 3 years. Every once in a while I lube the side latches and everything works great.

 

[MartyK]

I had the same problem on my '96. It was the handle. I did the same as Cowboy Medic and it worked like new.

 

[Gene Arnold]

Ditto what Cowboy Medic and Marty K said.



Gene

 

[Deejayare]

thanks for the assist. got me going in the right direction.



my tailgate also seems to be missing some bushings down at the "hinge" or pivot point. i'm really curious about what should be in there.



tailgate hasn't been hit or anything, just previous neglect. needs the oem parts.

 

[wcjp]

Beat me to the punch. I was going to suggest checking the rubber bushings at the base of the tailgate. Previous owner of my 96' didn't use the tailgate often. When he did use the tailgate he didn't bother using the rubber bushings. This wore down the metal. I had to buy new bushings from Dodge and shim the tailgate to center with large washers. This worked great. New bushings were about $5 from Dodge.

 

[Thomas]

... my tailgate also seems to be missing some bushings down at the "hinge" or pivot point. i'm really curious about what should be in there...

• 1 P/N 55275016 PIVOT, Tailgate
• 5 P/N 55274916 PIVOT, Tailgate, Right
• 15 P/N 55274917 PIVOT, Tailgate, Left
• 16 P/N 55274936AC BUSHING, Tailgate Pivot

 

[Deejayare]

parts list

wow. thanks a lot for posting the part numbers. that's gonna help me a lot.

 

[Loren]

I wasn't going to comment here because my fix was also to clean and lube all the mechanism, but I have to say to Thomas:



WOW!



What a great answer to someone's question. I hope you read the forums when I need help.



Thanks, Thomas.





Loren