Purchased a pair of Dorman tail gage latches (Chinese origin, of course) for my '96 Dakota. Arrived with 3 fasteners/bolts instead of four because customs opened the box and put everything back EXCEPT the packing material and one bolt.

The tail gate is very loose now and rattles all the time, any tips on how to remove/replace the latches? Should I have purchased those pins/bolts/studs they latch onto? Thank you.

 

Probably need to replace the rubber bumpers as well. And maybe adjust the 'pins' the latch grabs ahold of.

 

Right, those "pins" are the parts I was asking about. I wonder if they are still available for purchase, I will be searching. I guess actually called a door latch striker sometimes..

 

They don't really wear out. Is there a bushing that is supposed to go around them? Or are they all steel?

 

Arizona has five as I type this ... at $12.50 each. From the parts list I downloaded here, it's part number 6031954 and look for it at http://arizonaparts.com/MoparPartsAll.aspx .

Also shows as Discontinued from the dealerships.

RwP

 

Thanks guys, now all of my questions have been answered!

 

I'll add that you MIGHT be able to adjust the latch striker pins, and get the tightness and rattle level right.

RwP

 

Photo one: The hole in the white Dorman plastic clips for the release rods are too small in diameter so I reused the red factory clips. The factory latch is constructed from a single stamping and the Dorman latches are two stampings stuck together. Photos two and three: I found the main problem for the passenger side rattle was because one nut that is welded to sheet metal had broken free. Photo four: I don't weld, so I reattached it with one 5/16" rivet. I reused the four factory fasteners because they have a chamfer on the tips which helps to prevent cross-threading. I tightened both striker pins 90 degrees clockwise so the worn areas were no longer making contact when closed. Tailgate is now good and tight, but i need to remember to close it with less force from now on.