Finally scored on a clean bone stock '85 4runner. The tailgate is smashed from a rear end accident and the rear window will not roll all the way down so I can't open the tailgate. How can I remove the tailgate or trick the relay into letting me unlock the gate? How do you remove the tailgate so that I can replace it? Thanks,
Steve

 

How far done can you roll window??

Pics would be helpful.

If you can roll window down a little, like out of the track of shell. Try removing the inside cover of tailgate. There is a cable the pulls release latch to lower tailgate. Track cables press the down at same time or one at a time while pushing out till tailgate leases. Might wanna get someone to help. I had partner prevent tailgate dropping open with window partly open.

 

It rolls down to the point where there's only 3-4 inches of glass showing... I'm on an iPhone can't figure out how to post pics.

 

You can go behind the drivers rear tire and pull the electrical plug out of the body and disconnect it at the body plug. It has a rubber seal in the body that you need to work out to access the plug connector.

Then tilt the tail gate down and remove the bolts and the latch assembly holding the tail gate to the body. There is a long "U" type spring under the bed of the runner that acts as a spring to help slowly lower the tail gate.

With the window as low as you have it, you should be able to remove the entire tail gate. If you need to manually open the gate. Remove the cover panel and you will see the cables that go to the latch and you can manually pull on the cables to unlatch the gate.

 

being your going to replace the rear gate anyway .. I would just take a cut off wheel and cut the outer skin off of the gate . this will allow you to roll the glass down all the way and enabling you to drop the gate down for easy removal


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Why not just remove the interior panel form the tailgate and pound out any obstruction that is causing the window to not come all the way down?

 

^^ most logical solution I have seen here yet.