Tailgate Latch Repair 1997 Dodge Ram

Tracking down why my tailgate latch is sticking and fixing the problem.

[@christianjamison9613]

Bro you’re amazing. Had this issue with both my second gens! Glad you got it to work and see it was that easy of a fix. Love it man!

[@troyt9007]

Thank you very much. I appreciate it. Glad it helped you

[@bodiespizza]

A+ for the tripod. So annoying when people hold the camera in one hand and try to fix something with the other hand. Applause.

[@troyt9007]

I agree. Thank you

[@bretprice1582]

thanks for sharing. Getting ready to tear mine apart on Saturday so now I know what to expect when I pop it open!

[@troyt9007]

No problem. Good luck with it.

[@northwoodswithchaz6320]

Best Dodge Second Generation (1994-2001) tailgate repair on KZbin. Excellent safety and engineering suggestions provided very surely if you watch the entire video. Don't bend the tabs too far on the handle at any given time. More is not better. The tailgate could come open through vibration afterwards due to constant tension on the pulling rods. If the tabs were bent once, it's time for a new handle after that. Always clean and lube the latches before they get beat up too bad also. Great video instruction here.

[@troyt9007]

Thanks for the comment and thanks for watching.

[@martymaesin8316]

I have a '96 Ram 1500 with tailgate issue's after getting tired of Mickey Mousing the thing along, it was easier to replace both latches and the handle. Good video though if you to want repair instead of replace. Tip, when you disconnect the handle replace the latches while the handle is disconnected, you can't do it other wise. Have fun! One more thing, I ordered new bushings as well which normally is a no brainer. The bushings they sent me were either the wrong bushings or they were made incorrectly. I had to shave the bushings down to get them to fit. Allot of work for a simple repair, UGGHH! Last thing, I took my tailgate off the truck and laid it across 2 saw horses, worked well for me.

[@PWL1371]

New sub here . Just purchased a 99 and the tail gate problem is about identical to what you are showing ! Keep making these videos ! They are greatly appreciated.

[@troyt9007]

Glad it helped. That's what it's all about. Other people's videos have saved my butt plenty of times. Figured I'd share some myself. Thanks for the comment and for subscribing.

[@entoffgrid1547]

When you looked over and said dammit when that guy showed up 🤣 i felt that just let me work! 🤣

[@troyt9007]

Never fails does it. Can't get anything done.

[@christopherschultz2838]

Thanks for making this vid. Really appreciate your efforts.

[@troyt9007]

Your welcome. Thanks for your comment. I hope it helped.

[@eviefieseler1093]

Thanks, this gave me courage. My 98 wasn't shutting without four or five tries, and I could see the two side mechanisms we're different, but until you came along ❤️ I didn't know which side was right. Lol😐. Luckily, WD40 and a lot of fiddling and then lots of opening and closing got it working, and with gentle closings instead of hit-er-outta-da-park slams, too! Thanks.

[@troyt9007]

I'm glad it helped. That's what it's all about. Thanks for watching and for the comment

[@MrVanhovey]

Saved me a ton of time. I found it easier to lay on the ground on my back with tailgate down to reattach cables. Cables stay in place that way.

[@troyt9007]

Good idea. Glad it helped

[@mejiaaldo]

Good job. That's going to help me a lot. i'm going to fix my tailgate today.

[@troyt9007]

Thank you. I hope it worked for you.

[@DavidWvu]

Gonna tear into mine as soon as it warms up. Wish me luck. Thanks for the video.

[@troyt9007]

Good luck man. You can handle it. Pretty easy. Thanks

[@daleheintz9800]

Thanks for the help, saved me a lot of time!

[@troyt9007]

You're welcome. Glad it helped

[@francisstorry6753]

Troy U the man saved my bacon !

[@troyt9007]

Thank you. Glad I could help you.

[@brucerazor5202]

Thanks bud, I have a 99 with the same problem

[@troyt9007]

No problem. Glad it helped. Thanks for the comment

[@dubes5594]

Boy do I feel dumb! I forgot the black cover snaps in from the bottom and got my middle finger jammed in the hole trying to shove it down from the top! Try it if you dont believe me! Thanks for the lesson.😆👍👍👍

[@troyt9007]

Oh damn. That sucks. I hear you though. I've got plenty of self-inflicted scars to remind me of my stupidity.

[@MrVanhovey]

It's possible to bang that tab he talks about without taking anything apart, other than the plastic door handle cover. Screw driver and hammer should do the trick. Give it a couple decent wacks until they work.

[@troyt9007]

You're correct. You don't have to take the end latch parts off. I only did because I didn't know where the problem was and was trying to locate it. I hope the video helped. Thanks for watching

[@tylermccullough3986]

I used washers on mine it worked great

[@troyt9007]

Awesome. Whatever works to get it done.

[@Bward216]

Came here bc my 96 isnt closing. Happy to see some moron out bed liner over the bolts

[@troyt9007]

Yeah. It was a homemade job for sure. Didn't bother sanding the bed down first either, so it peels up everywhere.

[@Bward216]

@@troyt9007 I was talking about my own truck lol

[@troyt9007]

@@Bward216 Oh ok. Well I guess there is more than one moron out there then, because that's exactly what they did to my 2007 Dodge Ram. I apologize. I didn't pay attention to what video this was. I made one for the 2007 too