[duketter]

I want to paint my tail gate handle to match my truck. How do you remove it? I found the section that states how to remove the door handles, but how do you remove this? Is it easy?

 

[justme84]

Don't know if this is to Technical but thats How its done!!! :banana2:



DECKLID/HATCH/LIFTGATE/TAILGATE
TABLE OF CONTENTS
page page
TAILGATE CHECK CABLE
REMOVAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
INSTALLATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
TAILGATE LATCH
REMOVAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
INSTALLATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
TAILGATE LATCH RELEASE HANDLE
REMOVAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
INSTALLATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
TAILGATE LATCH STRIKER
REMOVAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
INSTALLATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
TAILGATE
REMOVAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
INSTALLATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
TAILGATE CHECK CABLE
REMOVAL
(1) Release tailgate latch and open tailgate.
(2) Pry lock tab outward to clear stud head on
cargo box (Fig. 1).
(3) Push cable end forward until stud head is in
clearance hole portion of cable end.
(4) Separate cable end from stud.
(5) Remove screw holding cable to tailgate.
(6) Separate check cable from tailgate.
INSTALLATION
Reverse the preceding operation.
TAILGATE LATCH
REMOVAL
(1) Remove bolts attaching tailgate latch to tailgate
(Fig. 2) .
(2) Remove bezel for tailgate latch release handle.
(3) Remove bolts attaching tailgate latch release
handle to tailgate.
(4) Disengage latch rods at tailgate latch release
handle.
(5) Separate latch from tailgate and disengage
latch rod from latch.
INSTALLATION
(1) Engage latch rods to tailgate latch release handle.
(2) Install tailgate latch release handle.
(3) Attach latch release rod to latch.
(4) Position latch in tailgate.
(5) Install bolts attaching tailgate latch to tailgate.
(6) Install bezel for tailgate latch release handle.
TAILGATE LATCH RELEASE
HANDLE
REMOVAL
(1) Using a trim stick and starting at the bottom
of the latch release handle, disengage the bottom
clips attaching the bezel to the tailgate.
(2) Slide the bezel downward to remove it from the
tailgate.
(3) Remove screws attaching latch release handle
to tailgate (Fig. 2).
(4) Disengage latch release rods (Fig. 3).
(5) Separate latch release from tailgate.
Fig. 1 Tailgate Check
1 - SCREW DRIVER
2 - TAILGATE CHECK CABLE
3 - LOCK TAB
INSTALLATION
(1) Position latch release in tailgate.
(2) Engage latch release rods.
(3) Install screws attaching latch release handle to
tailgate.
(4) Position the top of the bezel in tailgate and
slide the bezel upward and snap into place.
TAILGATE LATCH STRIKER
REMOVAL
(1) Release tailgate latch and open tailgate.
(2) Remove tailgate check cable.
(3) Using a grease pencil, mark the location of the
striker.
(4) Remove striker from cargo box (Fig. 4).
INSTALLATION
(1) Align the striker using the reference marks.
(2) Install striker.
(3) Install tailgate check cable.
TAILGATE
REMOVAL
(1) Release tailgate latch and open tailgate.
(2) Disconnect tailgate check cable.
(3) Close tailgate until the notch in the right hand
collar aligns with the pivot pin.
(4) Slip tailgate hinge collar from hinge pins.
(5) Slide tailgate to the right and separate left
hand collar from the pivot pin.
(6) Separate tailgate from vehicle.
INSTALLATION
Reverse the preceding operation.
Fig. 2 Tailgate
1 - SILENCER DISC
2 - LATCH
3 - CABLE
4 - LATCH RELEASE ROD
5 - TAILGATE
6 - BEZEL
7 - LATCH RELEASE
Fig. 3 Latch Release Rods
1 - TAILGATE LATCH RELEASE
2 - TAILGATE LATCH RELEASE RODS
Fig. 4 Tailgate Latch Striker
1 - STRIKER
2 - BODY
3 - CABLE
23 - 6 DECKLID/HATCH/LIFTGATE/TAILGATE AN
TAILGATE LATCH RELEASE HANDLE (Continued)

 

[duketter]

Sorry, I don't really understand that. Did you get it off a site with pictures? The pictures would probably help me.

 

[DirtyR/T]

go pick up a haynes manual. $7 at Autozone


I did have it downloaded onto my computer but when it crashed I lost it.

 

[epmills]

1. The outer handle shell thing is held in by 4 clips, one in each corner of the shell. Get a piece of cloth and a small/medium sized flathead screwdriver. Pull the shell away from the tailgate enough where you can fit the screwdriver in the crack, use the cloth between to screwdriver and the tailgate so you don't scratch the tailgate. Then slide the screwdriver over to one of the sides until it hits the clip. Manuver the screwdriver until it is on top of the clipand push down and pull the shell at the same time. Once that corner is out go to the other side and do the same, then just let it hang until you unbolt the handle

2. Unscrew the 3 torx bits inside the tailgate, they are on very tight FYI. Now you can pull the outer handle shell off. Take a screwdriver and pop the plastice pieces up on both sides of the linkage, then pull the linkage torwards yourself. Now manouver the handle out and sand/primer/paint.
~Zach

 

[Alta Boy]

:biggthump That is definately the l o n g version justme84. LOL

 

[dakota g33k]

/\ nailed it -- i just pried mine off and wound up breaking the lower right clip. i was taking mine off to install the powergate lock. bezel went back on ok, not too loose.

 

[justme84]

LOL That was the OEM Dodge manual Version. Its even hard to understand in there, The Manuals good for some things but some jobs I find easier to learn as I go. Never took mine out so I didn't wanna waste the guys time but wanted to help anyways, :banana2: