Tailgate latch issue

[PhoenixFear]

The tailgate would not open and I figured out why, the handle would only pull one of the sides in, not the other. I found out on here that a screwdriver can help open the tailgate so that's what I did. The connecting rod on the passenger side is disconnected. What would be the easiest/best way to put the rod back on? I've been fishing inside the tailgate for a while but no real luck there. I might just want to replace the whole latch as it is kinda rusty anyway. Thanks.

[VileZambonie]

Get a new handle and lube up the latches.

[PhoenixFear]

The handle and latches work fine, I just don't know how to reconnect the rod that goes from the handle to latch.

[Captkaos]

Drop the handle out and see if the rod it still in there.  If it is just pull it up and reattach.

[PhoenixFear]

I unbolted the handle and both latches. The handle will not slide out, the rod is connected on the driver's side. The passenger side isn't connected. After fumbling around with it with a flashlight I think the passenger side rod can't connect to the handle because the mounting point is probably broken. I felt kind of a broken piece of metal where the rod should go. The other side is in there fine. So now I just need to figure out how to pull out the driver's latch and unhook it because I'll probably replace the handle. It is either that or buy another tail gate since I have a bit of rust repair to do all along the bottom of the tailgate anyway.

[VileZambonie]

If the rod is broken just get a new rod then. You unbolt the handle and you can move it around enough to unhook/hook them in.

[PhoenixFear]

The rod isn't broken, I believe it is the hole that the rod goes into on the handle that is broken. I was feeling around on the other side and that rod seems to go into a hole that sits there. The other side of the handle has no hole, only a broken spot. I'll plan on buying a new handle or hit up the junkyard and replace this. It bugs me to have to use a screwdriver to open the tailgate.

[VileZambonie]

Sounds like you need to

Get a new handle and lube up the latches.

 

[Captkaos]

remove the end latches from the gate and see if the rods are attached to the latches.

[PhoenixFear]

I hit up the junkyard today, mostly to look around as I need a lot more parts. I managed to snag a handle off a '78 or so. The older trucks had different handles so I doubt they'd work. This '78 one looks like the '85 only it is slightly wider on the handle itself. Can it still be used?
I figured out how to take the rods off easily with this junkyard handle too.

[Captkaos]

for bolt in you need a 77-80 gate:
http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=15684.0

[PhoenixFear]

Thanks. Guess the handle won't work but at least it gave me the knowledge to quickly put the tailgate all back together. The stock handle has a lot of slop in it to the point where the handle actually skips over the rod plate when you try to open it, but oh well, works fine now.

[biscuit41]

Do all of the handles look crooked when you put them on?  I got a new one because I thought mine was bent but it looked the same way.  Sorry to thread jack...

[VileZambonie]

no only when they get tugged on and bend. If you put a new opne on and it bent then your latches are probably too stiff. There are more solid aftermarket ones.

[PhoenixFear]

I don't think mine is crooked, but now that I've fixed it and greased the latches up it unhooks nicely. I can't find those little metal clips that hold the rod into the handle so I shoved a vacuum cap on and going to superglue it down, shouldn't pop out again.