My tailgate will NOT open

Just got a 2006 Tundra and the tailgate won’t open. I figured this would be a pretty easy fix but it’s not turning out that way. The handle itself is in good shape. I am missing one of the connection rods so I tried activating the latch manually but the latch is in bad shape. Looks like it’s been beat up a bit by the previous owner. Anyway, I’m not to sure where to go from here.

Any suggestions on how to remove my tailgate from the closed position would be greatly appreciated.

 

Read this to learn how to open up the tailgate. https://www.tundras.com/threads/how...gate-clip-repair-overhaul-beef-up-lube.94180/

If you can get in the boed, pop the plastic cover off (if there), then pop the access panel off, you can reach into the tailgate and manually trigger the latch.

 

Thanks for the reply. I did try to manually trigger the latch but the trigger is broken off. It looks like someone went at with a hammer and screwdriver or something.

 

If the back access plate is off the tailgate right now, and the latch is rusted (which it gets to that point if you're a fucking neaderthal who doesn't lube and clean the tailgate), your best bet is to flood the latch from the inside with PB Blaster or Kroil a few times over the course of an hour to try and free it up.

You'll need to start by working on the lever of the latch which I'm circling in blue. That's the trigger part of the latch (blue circle) which the tailgate rod engages. If you got to, slap some vice grips on it for added leverage. ALSO - be aware, if there's a lot of pressure on the latch, sometimes they won't let go. It may help to have a buddy pushing inward on the tailgate to let pressure off the latch if the tailgate is bowing outward. OR you may need to have someone pushing outward on the tailgate while you try to work that trigger arm on the latch itself.

I doubt prying on the catch (yellow arrow) will help. And DO NOT forget to check the position of the lock on the handle, if the lock is in LOCKED position, you won't be able to pull any rod to force the rod to release the latch. There's a pic on here somewhere of the what handle position is locked and which isn't, from folks who installed a new handle and installed it while "locked", then wondered why it wouldn't work with the new handle

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This thing is pretty banged up. I can’t even get the trigger to move at all.

 

My tailgate was stuck closed much like yours when I bought it 7 years ago. I fought with it for weeks but finally went at it with a Dremel and right-angle adapter and fiberglass reinforced cutoff wheels to cut through the tab inside the latch assembly that was engaged with the striker. Had to order a replacement driver's side latch assembly to get it all functioning again.
On my 2004 DC it was part # 65790-0C030
Passenger side assembly is # 65780-0C030

 

Man I’d just blast the piss out of that with any lubricant and let it soak and keep trying. Looks parched. Can always use the correct, dry lube later.