Suburban tailgate won't open - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

gjl327 · 08-07-2003, 08:10 AM

I have an 89 with the usual inoperable tailgate.
Window works (barely)
tailgate has it's inner panel on

Short of an angle grinder, how do I go about opening this sucker up?

Thanks for any info

Gerald

**Captkaos** · 08-07-2003, 09:30 AM

My Jimmy tailgate was stuck closed also. I climbed in it and took the access panel off and pulled the rods. I then adjusted them so they would work.

Grim Reaper · 08-08-2003, 10:26 PM

I know K5's are very prone to having the bottom of the window tracks rust off. This allows the window to be in the wrong possition. Now I haven't open up that new of gate but on my 79 K5 there is a safety lock out that keeps you from opening the gate unless the window is fully open. If the bottom of the tracks rust off then it misses that device.

If it's like my 79 K5 then pull the inside pannel and in the middle will be a L bracket on a slide that the window hits when all the way open. It releases a mechanisim up by the handle to let you open it. I also had a spring break on that thing and it screwed up then as well.

gjl327 · 08-08-2003, 11:37 PM

I thought the inner panel couldn't be removed in the closed position

Is that so or is it just a PITA

Gerald

Grim Reaper · 08-09-2003, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by gjl327
I thought the inner panel couldn't be removed in the closed position

Is that so or is it just a PITA

Gerald

Hmmm well my 79 didn't have the dressy carpeted cover just the inner steel pannel and that's no problem to get off.

I havne't had a reason to mess with the 88 burb so I honestly don't know if you pop off the carpet peice with it closed. I would think you could. It seals at the steel of the door so the pannel should be smaller then the opening.

gjl327 · 08-09-2003, 07:31 PM

Thanks for the help

I managed to get the carpet off quite easily. forced the door open, found that one latch was seized. a little work with WD40 and a hammer and it was fixed.

I also cleaned all the gears and sliders for the window, but in the end it did not help. I think the guides are toast. Oh well

Door fixed..Thanks again

Gerald

08-07-2003, 08:10 AM	#1
gjl327 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 13	Suburban tailgate won't open I have an 89 with the usual inoperable tailgate. Window works (barely) tailgate has it's inner panel on Short of an angle grinder, how do I go about opening this sucker up? Thanks for any info Gerald

08-07-2003, 09:30 AM	#2
Captkaos www.73-87chevytrucks.com Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 6,935	My Jimmy tailgate was stuck closed also. I climbed in it and took the access panel off and pulled the rods. I then adjusted them so they would work. __________________ Chris Lucas 1973 Chevy C-10 1978 GMC Jimmy (2WD) - SOLD 1987 R10 twin turbo LS 1991 R3500 SRW CrewCab 1985 K5 diesel swapped project 1989 K5 2WD conversion w/ Vette susp Project Captkaos Customs 73-87chevytrucks.com

08-08-2003, 10:26 PM	#3
Grim Reaper Registered User Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Atlanta GA Posts: 1,704	I know K5's are very prone to having the bottom of the window tracks rust off. This allows the window to be in the wrong possition. Now I haven't open up that new of gate but on my 79 K5 there is a safety lock out that keeps you from opening the gate unless the window is fully open. If the bottom of the tracks rust off then it misses that device. If it's like my 79 K5 then pull the inside pannel and in the middle will be a L bracket on a slide that the window hits when all the way open. It releases a mechanisim up by the handle to let you open it. I also had a spring break on that thing and it screwed up then as well. __________________ Grim-Reaper 70 Pontiac LeMans Sport Convertible, worlds longest resto in progress Looking for 71-72 2wd Blazer or Jimmy Project

08-08-2003, 11:37 PM	#4
gjl327 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 13	I thought the inner panel couldn't be removed in the closed position Is that so or is it just a PITA Gerald

08-09-2003, 07:31 PM	#6
gjl327 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 13	Thanks for the help I managed to get the carpet off quite easily. forced the door open, found that one latch was seized. a little work with WD40 and a hammer and it was fixed. I also cleaned all the gears and sliders for the window, but in the end it did not help. I think the guides are toast. Oh well Door fixed..Thanks again Gerald



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