Hey guys I was having tailgate problems all this winter, it seemed like I would have to slam it 10-20 before it actually latched on my 97 dodge ram, I know a buddy that has the same problem with his 99 dodge too. Anyone else have this problem?? Or knows what is going on??

 

my dads chevy he had to reach inside to open it. You might need to try some grease.

 

Is it Bent? Are the locking hinges set in the right place? I had the same issue with mine, but that was only after I smacked a concrete pole doing about thirty mph. Once I finally got it off. I just stored in my garage and painted a 2X6 Bright red and put in there.
I like the no tail gate look better then I do with them on.
I also saw about a .5 mpg increase too. Not to mention, if you get a lot of trash build up in the bed ( like beer cans?) They usually fly out.

I know back when it was warm in the fall I took three 55 gallon drums full of POND water to a fish truck to buy some new cat fish for the pond. On the way there there was a a little black import car that almost slammed into the back end of me at a stop light. To keep her from hitting me I slammed on the gas and knocked those drums over. She had nasty *** pond water all over her little car. I thought she was gonna die when all this green smelly water came pouring out of the back of my truck.

 

Lmao!

 

take the hinges and handle off and soak all in some tranny fluid for a couple hours. Work the handle before putting it back on. had the same problem with mine, did this got it all nice and loose, put it back together sprayed it with some white lithium and havent had a problem since and its been since last summer

 

haha, my latches act up once in a great while, i just need to lube them

 

What he said. If it's cold and you want to wait for warmer weather. For now you can try opening the tailgate and spray some PB or something on the 2 latch mechanism's and work them back and for a little. If you look close you will see what looks like a little metal button on each latch. Try pushing them with something and you'll see the latch snap and close. That is if it's not the handle itself that's corroded.

 

I know with my truck I have to close it twice before it will latch. The first time it will fall back down and the second time it latches closed. It doesn't matter if I slam it closed or lightly close it, its always twice. I thought it was the broken tailgate cable on one side but I took it off and it still acts up. Guess its soaking in tranny fluid soon.

 

When it doesn't close the first time, look for those little slides or buttons like I mentioned. Push or pull them and you'll see what I'm talking about.

 

My handle was frozen solid wouldn't move at all, had to open the tailgate from the inside with a screwdriver. The tranny fluid eats the rust. Try it on old ratchets, stick the ratchet in a cup with the tranny fluid over night, tap it on the ground a couple times and 90% of the time it will work just fine afterwards, unless its a craftsmen, then just go to sears and save some time.