need help with tailgate latch re-assemble

[72ranger]

I installed a better tailgate on my truck after priming it and duralining the bed side of it. mounting it was quick and simple, but afterwards i noticed my old tailgate had a chrome tailgate latch handle so i removed it, and the plain metal one on the newer tailgate. PROBLEM

I can put it back together, but i cant put it together and have it work. what am i doing wrong? anyone else ever have this problem?
is their a correct order to reassemble it?
when i get i back together and pull on the handle it wont unlock, and yes the arms are re-attached. 1 arm is pointed up and 1 is pointed down held in with cotter pins and their connected to a bolt.

anyone got any advice.

[alvinator]

i am coming close to this point but i don't remember of the top of my head. Maybe when it is in front of me I will remember but I am sure we will have a picture of it soon on here

[CA180]

I havent actuall messed with one yet, but is it possible that the arms came loose from the latches themselves.

Just a thought

[SmokeyBear]

It sounds like you have it right, did you happen to primer or duraline the sides of the tailgate (where the actual latches are) if so, one of them may be stuck, if not one of the rods may have come loose there.

[72ranger]

i didnt duraline the sides just primered. when i disassemble the latch i can open the tailgate by pulling on the cross bars, so i think it has something to do with the bolt the handle bolts to and the metal bar on top that holds the cross bars, and so far the bolts not stripped or rounded.
thanks.

[SmokeyBear]

Did you completely disassemble the handle, I'm just going on memory here but I think you can reassemble the cam backwards and it won't pull the rods enough to pull the latches open. I may have to find a picture of the mechanism to be sure.

[alvinator]

oh, please find a pic, I am so clueless right now. I can probably figure it out but a pic would be handy, just in case.

[alvinator]

found this, maybe it will help...

[CA180]

I pulled my latch apart today, and i think i may have figured out what you did wrong. I'm not positive. What you may have done is installed the rectangular piece that holds the rods in place at the wrong angle. When you would pull the handle it wouldnt allow the rods to pull the latches. I'm not positve, but thats what it sounds like. If you still havent fixed this, let me know and i'll disassemble mine and take pics on my camera and post em up.\\\

LMK, stephen

[72ranger]

I havent tried messing with it again yet, but that sounds like the problem. my new chrome sport style bumper, and chrome sport mirrors and tinted solid back window arrived from lmc.


i got it done, everything is working again thanks