The 86 F250 retired fire truck is coming along. Moved the bed from parts truck #2 on sunday. It came with the tailgate that I have looked for 6 months. Yes! But. The handle barely opens one side and doesn't move the other at all. There is no access panel on the back of the tailgate. How to fix?
Use a big flat blade screwdriver to push the latch that does not move (it's like a household door striker plate setup) if you need to open the tailgate.
IIRC, the common issue is the rods that connect to the handle come disconnected at the handle. I think if you are careful you can look in there behind the handle and get at what you need to.
I had to fix this on my 84 250, but I can't really remember the exact procedure, which makes me think it mustve been pretty easy.
Unscrew the access plate off the inside of the tailgate and lube up the mechanisms including the ends and the handle.
I thought they all had panels, but the diagram below from LMC truck parts shows the '86 as being different. looks like you unbolt the strikers to access the rods that run to the handle. I'd just start taking crap apart and see what you find. I'd bet that one of the rods is dropped/ binding/ gone.
If it's a Ford tailgate it should have an access panel.
Good advice, thank you. Total repair cost under three dollars. The plastic clips were broken. Straightened the handle and lubed all moving parts liberally. works great now!
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