this is wierd... i had it opened before and my kid was sitting on it when i was washing it this week...

anyway, i just went out there and it wont open... when I turn the key to the right it locks, and i lift the handle and it moves VERY easy... but nothing happens...

then when I turn the key to the left, and i try and lift the handle, its very hard to move... almost feels like im forcing it and might break it.... but the tailgate wont open.... i tried pushing, pulling, etc... it seems to be closed all the way

i dont have the right tools here at work to remove the bedliner to do anything... so just wondering if anyone had this problem before and might know what it is

 

Bedliner binding something up

Dan

 

I had the same problem.
My daughter stuck the key in the tailgate lock to unlock it and it wouldn't buldge.
I went out and tried it myself to no avail.
In the meantime I was going to schedule a visit with my local dealer when I happen to be involved in a fender bender.
I had forgot all about the tailgate when the repair shop called to ask me how to open the tailgate.I just stated I had not had any problems with it.
When I got it back from the shop it was fixed.
Sorry I couldn't be much help.
I would take it to the dealer.
Good Luck!!

 

dont waste time @ the dealership.... take the plate off the back of the tailgate, you can access the handle and lock very easy. Its probably something obvious, I would at least try to fix it before going to Ford.


The 99 flareside F-150 I had before my L did something similar...I just took it apart, and put it back together...everything worked fine after that....some dura-lube spray is recomended as well

 

What he said^^^. Same thing happened to me a long time ago.

 

well i kept playing with it and finally got it opened... but its not working right... i will have to take it apart and put back together...

when its opened... i lift the handle and look at the side, those little things on the sides that "move" BARLEY move at all....

 

Mine does the opposite... it hardly ever closes. I have to always check it and make sure that it is fully closed. Any idea on that one??

 

Shoot the metal latches that "aren't moving" with a little WD-40. Had the same problem on another truck and it worked. Might have to do it every few months if they are sticking again.

 

scott015

if you remove the gate latch cover you may find the "rods" that release the latches have moved in there respective retainers . If you look @ the latch you will see the threaded rod assemblies,,they "clip" into the retainers,,, if you open up the retainers and shorten the rods your latches should move a greater distance. this should resolve your problem,,,

 

Try this one. Check to be sure the two support wires are connected to the proper places on the truck.

If your kid unhooked one of them and moved it up to where the tail gate latch grabs, it'll do the same thing(jam up when opening the tailgate)


Rocks

 

I had the same problem about a month ago I could only open the tailgate by pulling the handle all the way up as far as it would go. the solution is just what jgstang67 said. just adjust those rods and it will fix the problem

 

exactly what I was going to say.
adjust the retainers on the rod.
I had the same problem on the rear door of my Jeep Grand Cherokee and I adjusted the rods, it was worse. Climbed through the truck, adjusted them the other way.. VIOLA, works better than new!.
Also get some white lithium grease in a aresol can and coat all the slides and moving parts. that stuff lasts forever.

 

I had to adjust my tailgate latch mechanism this weekend. I used to have to pull up all the way on the handle to get it to open..

I searched and couldn't find any pictures of it so here are pictures from my adventure this weekend to help others in the future.


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Thanks caveman978, sometimes a pic is worth 1000 words, sometimes they're priceless.

 

Are the rods threaded on both ends ? if so they could be vibrating and going out of adjustment. A jam nut would fix that for good.