chrisp2493
Always Modding
- Joined
- Oct 30, 2016
- Posts
- 3,006
- Reaction score
- 1,870
- Location
- Warren, OH
- Ram Year
- 2003
- Engine
- 392 Hemi
I've seen pictures but crappy info on the web so I happened to find a good deal on a tailgate and jumped in. I found a black tailgate to match my truck but it was missing the handle, latches, spoiler trim and the cover plate. Talked the guy down and got it for $160, I couldn't believe it.
Also this thread will show you how to reuse all the parts off the old tailgates. If you have a tailgate with the hardware installed, the only thing that might need done is removing the torsion bar for the lift assist. I think you might be able to buy the bracket from the new trucks to use the bar, I haven't gotten that far though. So if you have the hardware, it should be as simple as dropping in the new gate and you're done with it. I wasn't so lucky.
Starting off my tailgate would not come off for anything. I got the passenger side lifted off but the left side wouldn't budge. I spent 2 hours banging and prying but it wouldn't move. Finally took it to a buddy's garage, hit it with the torch and it slid right off, go figure.
You'll need to remove the 4 star head bolts from the ends of the tailgate to take out the latches and the tailgate supports.
There is a large cover plate on the inside of the tailgate with 10 or so star bolts. Take those out to access the latch. This plate will fit right on the new tailgate if needed, everything lines up perfectly.
The latch and handle are held in with two 5/16 nuts. Unclip the connecting rods from the latch and everything should come out.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Also this thread will show you how to reuse all the parts off the old tailgates. If you have a tailgate with the hardware installed, the only thing that might need done is removing the torsion bar for the lift assist. I think you might be able to buy the bracket from the new trucks to use the bar, I haven't gotten that far though. So if you have the hardware, it should be as simple as dropping in the new gate and you're done with it. I wasn't so lucky.
Starting off my tailgate would not come off for anything. I got the passenger side lifted off but the left side wouldn't budge. I spent 2 hours banging and prying but it wouldn't move. Finally took it to a buddy's garage, hit it with the torch and it slid right off, go figure.
You'll need to remove the 4 star head bolts from the ends of the tailgate to take out the latches and the tailgate supports.
There is a large cover plate on the inside of the tailgate with 10 or so star bolts. Take those out to access the latch. This plate will fit right on the new tailgate if needed, everything lines up perfectly.
The latch and handle are held in with two 5/16 nuts. Unclip the connecting rods from the latch and everything should come out.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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