My wife's '01 R/T tailgate suddenly won't open. She says she had problems over the last couple weeks, but that it always opened eventually, until today. I sure wish she told me before now! I'm not sure if the lock mechanism broke, the handle, or ir its just a rod that popped out of place. I'm sure I can figure it out once I'm inside the tailgate. My problem is that I don't know if I can get inside without opening the gate. Is there a semi easy way to take the interior trim panel off without opening the gate? Details would be awesome! Thanks in advance for any info!

Chad - 03 Dakota Sport Quad Cab, 01 Durango R/T, 98 Ram Quad Cab

 

You might be able to pull it back some, but I'm not sure how much. Have you tried the ket in the lock or just the electric locks?

 

Yeah. Key won't even go into the lock anymore. When you hit the power locks, you can hear and feel it doing its thing, but still can't open it. Someone in my Dakota Facebook group posted a video on how to get into it. I'll take a look tomorrow

Chad - 03 Dakota Sport Quad Cab, 01 Durango R/T, 98 Ram Quad Cab

 

Try pushing in at the bottom of the gate while lifting up on the handle. That.s what I have to do every once in a while.

 

Turns out it's very easy to access. Remove the upper trim piece by simply pulling it out, remove 2 screws, one on each side, at the top of he lower trim piece, then pull lower trim away from door to get to lock mechanism. Here is a link to the video I was was given.


Turns out the piece that connects the power lock to the handle was rusted so bad that it no long slides back and forth and it froze in the lock position

Chad - 03 Dakota Sport Quad Cab, 01 Durango R/T, 98 Ram Quad Cab