The latch for my tailgate is loose. When i pull the handle it is completely slack, like a cable has become unhooked. Any body know the correct way to get in the tailgate and look for the problem?

thanks

 

You have a 4Runner or Tacoma?

 

If it's a 4runner, it's really easy to open the tailgate up and have a look. If the cable came unhooked it should be about a 5 minute job. All you've got to do is: pop off the bolt cover on the nylon pull thingy, unbolt it. Working your way around the tailgate, pop off the plastic cover (a flathead screwdriver covered with a rag works great to get it started) Now you'll see two panels that are bolted on. Unbolt the large one (driver side) Now you can see the entire latch assembly. If the cable has simply come loose, hook it up, test and put it all back together! If it is something else, well, at least now you know what it is.

If you've got a Tacoma, ignore me, and wait for somone with a Taco to chime in.

 

Husky: Thats correct....for a 3rd gen lol. First and Second gens have actual tailgates that fold down. The carpeted section on the first gens unbolts, and the second gens are just clips that pop out. In any generations case, just pop that outer cover off, then unbolt the metal support plate under it, and the cables will be underneath that.

First and second gens use cables, and often the cables freeze and the handle will go all the way as the cable stretches, but the latches will not release.

 

True, but it's in the 95.5-2004 taco & 96-2002 4runner forum.

 

that was a pain in the ass.

First off, i'm the second owner of a '02 Tacoma TRD. I pulled off the tailgate section of bed liner to find a spray in bed liner! After a few @%$^&@#%&#&#'s i start ripping square inch sections of this rubbery pain in the ass off to get to the access panel.

THere is a tiny plastic half inch long "tube" that the whole latch mechanism rotates in. Half of it has broken off. So it's jerry rigged for now.

On the bright side, this is the only "repair" i've had to do in my 2.5 years of tacoma ownership. And I've beat the ☺☺☺☺ out of this thing, Once driving it strait from wisconsin to Utah and driving the "hole in the rock" road w/ it. I've also drivin it in snow up past the front bumper, leading a caravan consisting of a jeep, F-350, and a GMC. GOOD TRUCK.

 

Well FIINE Mr. Technical!