I have a 1981 Dodge D250 truck with a tailgate that won't open via the handle. Is a new handle (latch assembly) difficult to install) Do I need to connect the existing rods to the new handle? Thank you

Your going to need a long needle nose pliers to reach the cable and pull it and it should release the tailgate

Then you must disassemble the tailgate and check the linkages to see what is malfunctioning with the exterrior handle. Sometimes the ears on the handle itself breaks.

You have to remove the handle assembly and the latches. Working through the hole where the handle is, work the throught the edge of the tailgate and fasten to the latch assembly, then install the latch assembly. Once both latch assemblies are connected, reintall the handle assembly.

I had the same problem. I used a flat screwdriver to pry the fiberglass piece out which created just enough room to wiggle the latch mechanism out the top. Getting the new latch in was a little more difficult, but 5 minutes of prying and wiggling and I got that in the same way it came out.

Open Stuck Tailgate 04 Dodge Durango

1. Remove third panel, open tailgate, observe the five torx bolts.

2. Remove the two outer torx bolts.

3. Close tailgate, remove handle bezel. The bottom is held on with two plastic "Fir tree" pins.

4. Open taligate, remove the three remaining torx bolts, close tailgate.

5. Observe that there are two plastic ScotchLock type items that hold the latch actuator rods. Color the exposed threads with a Sharpie for ease of re-assembly.

6. Open the two plastic actuator rod holders and remove the handle assembly.

7. Install the new part and secure the three bolts.

8. Install the actuator rods in the clips, leaving the previously exposed threads, ummm, exposed.

9. Verify proper operation of latches with the third panel installed.

10. Install bezel and two retaining bolts.

Here's another version of replacing it that another guy modified from the above instructions....

I broke the back latch on mine and had to change it. A couple of changes I would make to the instructions are:

1. forget about the third panel, whatever that is, unless it's another way of saying "tailgate"

2. unsscrew the two outer bolts on the inside of the tailgate and close tailgate.

3. pull off plastic cover, bottom fasteners like said above are "pine trees", just pull straight out

4. the actuator rods are just snapped in, BEFORE doing anything else, mark the edge of the fastener, and more importantly

5. TIE a string, or use a long piece of tape on each rod so that when you undo the fasters for the rods, the rods don't fall down to the bottom of the tailgate. I actually used alligator clips off a multitester as they were handy, but you get the idea.

6. loosen the three bolts holding the handle in (don't remove them, so it doesn't torque over when you start in on the last), when all are loose, remove the three bolts, and disconnect the actuator clips. I could do this with my fingers, and it helped to have the bolts out so you could wiggle it a bit for a better grip.

7. you can now remove the handle by rotating it clockwise and pulling outward a bit on the tight spots of the tailgate.

8. intstall by working backwards up this list, the only other thing is for the right actuator rod, I held it with a needle nose pliers to get it into position.

Hope this helps, and it's not really a bad job.

· Open the tailgate and remove the tailgate liner.
· Remove the ten bolts(5) that secure the tailgate cover(4) to the inside of the tailgate and remove the cover.
· Using a pencil,mark the actuator rod(3) at the control(2) for the latch(1) being serviced.
· Disconnect the actuator rod from the control
· Remove the two bolts(7 and 8) that secure the latch(5) to the tailgate(4) and position the tailgate check cable(6) out of the way.
· Remove the latch and actuator rod from the tailgate as an assembly.
· If required,remove the actuator rod from the latch.
You will have to remove the tailgate cover. The cover will most likely be held on by some of the tailgate metal access cover.

there should be a piece of plastic or metal that hold the bar and is connected to the outer handle.

Mine just did the exact same thing. The latch may be moving freely because it is not hooked to the latching mechanism anymore. In my case, the handle had broken where the handle hooks to the rod that operates the mechanism. Go to the Ford dealer and buy a new handle. Here in S.C. it was $24. You can't get this at the parts houses. Start by removing the plastic "Ford" cover that is over the liscense plate lights. You then have to remove the aluminum rivets that hold the handle to the tailgate from the outside and remove the broken latch. Remove the pull handle loop on the interior side of the tailgate (2 screws), unsnap the inside plastic tailgate interior panel, and pull down the black plastic sheeting that is underneath the panel to make access to the mechanism inside of the tailgate. There is also a hard plastic cover that you will see that needs to be pulled loose to open another access hole. Install the new tailgate latch handle by sliding back into the mounting holes and attach with two 10-32 screws and nuts. The new handle will come with a new yellow rod attachment piece on the handle. You will see inside of the tailgate a small rod hanging down, most likeky it will have the same rod attachment piece as the one on the new handle. Note the position of the yellow piece on the rod, as you will connect the new piece in the same place. Once the rod is hooked up, relubricate the metal mechanism with a light machine oil, replace the black plastic cover, replace the black plastic sheeting, (secure with a small amount of duct tape), replace the tailgate interior panel, replace the pull handle loop, shut tailgate, replace "Ford" cover over lights, and you're done!

on my 2000 dodge grand caravan you can manually release the tailgate by manually lifting the connecting rod between the latch and the tailgate handle. you can access this rod by removing a small cover over an access hole near the latch at the bottom of the tailgate.