My 97 dak, 4x4 ext cab is haveing a problem. For the 4th time that i can remember, the tailgate will not lock in the closed position when the temperatue is below -20'c. Anybody elses truck do this? What is the problem here? As soon as it warms up 5 - 10 degrees it stays up no problem, just seems to fix its self. Any tips would be hugely appreciated!!

 

maybe you should try and clean then re-lube the mechanisum and see if that helps.

 

Sounds like the innerds are freezing up. When you raise the tailgate to close it, are you hearing the tell tail click that you should hear when you close it or does it sound like metal to metal banging and thats it? Regardless, I would do what Lil said and clean/relube everything.

 

Just metal banging metal, there is no tell tale click. I will try to clean it when it warms up though.
Thanx for the tips guys.

 

you might also try moving the studs that the gate locks lock onto. i had to do that to mine. you'll need the star driver though.

 

Agreed. I think Mopar uses a T-20 star if I'm not mistaken.

 

ive got about the same problem with mine but it does it all the time. so what i do to keep mine up is there is a little level the up just push down on both sides and it will stay shut

 

Clean and redease like the others said. Mine didnt lock and it was warm

 

ive got the same problem, but if i push the tailgate in a certain way it works

 

weld it shut