tailgate question...not sure where to post - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

jasonroman · 10-06-2011, 11:08 AM

so i picked up an 86 c10 the other day.
currently the tailgate is bungied closed.
seems like the handle is not connected to the insides, so i just pops open and when i close it, its not grabbing anything.
how to i get inside there to connect what ever needs connecting?

thanks for any advice.

juiceman650 · 10-06-2011, 02:27 PM

So basically you're asking how to fix the tailgate assembly?
Posted via Mobile Device

SeanPaintsFlames · 10-06-2011, 03:47 PM

Get some pics of it. You're missing something, either the two latch brackets on the bedsides or the latches themselves on the tailgate. If it was just disconnected it should latch but not open.

SeanPaintsFlames · 10-06-2011, 04:00 PM

Do you have these parts?

jasonroman · 10-06-2011, 05:48 PM

i guess that was my question, just didnt phrase it right....

so anyhow, seanpaintsflames...
thanks for pics.
i looked and i have those parts. i tried to take a look at tailgate on my 85 to see if i was missing anything, and all looks good.
just seems like the handle, what im gonna call the part you would open tailgate with, is not connected to anything.
in my 85 when i pull it, it works. and you can tell theres a connection.
on new 86, pull it, and nothing. and i have to push it back in to sit normal.
cleary somethings not connected.
can i get in there by undoing the 3 screws?

**old Rusty C10** · 10-06-2011, 10:01 PM

the parts should interchange with the tailgate on your old truck.... otherwise i have an extra newer tailgate

SeanPaintsFlames · 10-07-2011, 07:17 AM

I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure there are just two metal rods inside the tailgate. each goes from the handle to the left or right latches on the ends of the tailgate. Start by taking off the 3 or 4 bolts on the backside of the tailgate and pulling out the handle. If no rods are connected, there's your problem. If so, then they are not connected to the latches. You may not have them at all, who knows!?!

jasonroman · 10-07-2011, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeanPaintsFlames

I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure there are just two metal rods inside the tailgate. each goes from the handle to the left or right latches on the ends of the tailgate. Start by taking off the 3 or 4 bolts on the backside of the tailgate and pulling out the handle. If no rods are connected, there's your problem. If so, then they are not connected to the latches. You may not have them at all, who knows!?!

Thanks again for help guys. I'll undo the screws a little later today and see what I find.
Posted via Mobile Device

jasonroman · 10-07-2011, 04:35 PM

well i undid the3 screws. when i loosened them up.the wings opened up like they should.
but then when i screwed it back together, handle didnt work
i am bungy cord free now tho.
i closed the tailgate and then knocked on handle till wings opened enuff to keep it closed.
still gotta figure it out

10-06-2011, 11:08 AM	#1
jasonroman Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: sayreville nj Posts: 1,072	tailgate question...not sure where to post so i picked up an 86 c10 the other day. currently the tailgate is bungied closed. seems like the handle is not connected to the insides, so i just pops open and when i close it, its not grabbing anything. how to i get inside there to connect what ever needs connecting? thanks for any advice.

10-06-2011, 02:27 PM	#2
juiceman650 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: San Bruno, CA. Posts: 348	Re: tailgate question...not sure where to post So basically you're asking how to fix the tailgate assembly? Posted via Mobile Device __________________ 1975 Chevy Cheyenne w/ v8 350 and TH350 Siverado interior Fleetside bed aka "The Beast" aka "Cheyerado"

10-06-2011, 03:47 PM	#3
SeanPaintsFlames Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Buford, Ga. Posts: 339	Re: tailgate question...not sure where to post Get some pics of it. You're missing something, either the two latch brackets on the bedsides or the latches themselves on the tailgate. If it was just disconnected it should latch but not open. __________________ My 68 cougar restomod build:HERE Last edited by SeanPaintsFlames; 10-06-2011 at 03:53 PM.

10-06-2011, 04:00 PM	#4
SeanPaintsFlames Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Buford, Ga. Posts: 339	Re: tailgate question...not sure where to post Do you have these parts? __________________ My 68 cougar restomod build:HERE

10-06-2011, 05:48 PM	#5
jasonroman Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: sayreville nj Posts: 1,072	Re: tailgate question...not sure where to post i guess that was my question, just didnt phrase it right.... so anyhow, seanpaintsflames... thanks for pics. i looked and i have those parts. i tried to take a look at tailgate on my 85 to see if i was missing anything, and all looks good. just seems like the handle, what im gonna call the part you would open tailgate with, is not connected to anything. in my 85 when i pull it, it works. and you can tell theres a connection. on new 86, pull it, and nothing. and i have to push it back in to sit normal. cleary somethings not connected. can i get in there by undoing the 3 screws?

10-06-2011, 10:01 PM	#6
old Rusty C10 Robert Olson Transport Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: recent transplant to NC USA Posts: 20,313	Re: tailgate question...not sure where to post the parts should interchange with the tailgate on your old truck.... otherwise i have an extra newer tailgate __________________ Bob 1951 International running on a squarebody chassis "If a man's worth is judged by the people he associates himself with, then i am the richest man in the world knowing some of the fine people of this board" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...t.php?f=25&a=9 (you can review the site rules here!) PM Me for your vehicle/parts hauling needs in the North East US or see my Facebook page Robert Olson Transport Live each day to the fullest.. you never know when fate is going to pull the rug out from under you... I hate cancer!!

10-07-2011, 07:17 AM	#7
SeanPaintsFlames Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Buford, Ga. Posts: 339	Re: tailgate question...not sure where to post I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure there are just two metal rods inside the tailgate. each goes from the handle to the left or right latches on the ends of the tailgate. Start by taking off the 3 or 4 bolts on the backside of the tailgate and pulling out the handle. If no rods are connected, there's your problem. If so, then they are not connected to the latches. You may not have them at all, who knows!?! __________________ My 68 cougar restomod build:HERE

10-07-2011, 04:35 PM	#9
jasonroman Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: sayreville nj Posts: 1,072	Re: tailgate question...not sure where to post well i undid the3 screws. when i loosened them up.the wings opened up like they should. but then when i screwed it back together, handle didnt work i am bungy cord free now tho. i closed the tailgate and then knocked on handle till wings opened enuff to keep it closed. still gotta figure it out



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