78 blazer tailgate hard to open ? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

blazer2007 · 08-12-2019, 10:43 AM

My tailgate is hard to open, I pull the handle up and have to give it a tug to open. When I pull the handle up I don,t see the latch being pulled maybe very little ,is there a way to adjust the handle pull ?

68Timber · 08-14-2019, 02:20 PM

Yes, you can shim it with washers. It was over several years back I had to do one of mine and I don't recall exactly how I did it but if you take the inside cover off and work the handle and watch the rods you'll figure it out.

1972 C10 · 08-29-2019, 09:12 PM

Not a fix, but if you lean your belly against it while pulling handle, it works every time on my 78 Jimmy.

blazer2007 · 08-29-2019, 09:21 PM

that.s what I do LOL

Irish1941 · 08-30-2019, 12:52 PM

The rods need to have bend put back in.
Over yrs the rods stretch and straighten out, making the pull shorter
Just tweak them a bit and it'll open like new.

blazer2007 · 08-31-2019, 09:15 AM

thanks I will try that

phillipm · 10-11-2019, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Irish1941

The rods need to have bend put back in.
Over yrs the rods stretch and straighten out, making the pull shorter
Just tweak them a bit and it'll open like new.

I'd love to know more about this if anyone has pictures? I've always leaned against mine to open it as well but I was pretty sure you didn't have to do that when they were new.

**buffydores** · 10-15-2019, 09:41 AM

Phillip: Leaning into it is standard operating procedure.

08-12-2019, 10:43 AM	#1
blazer2007 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: vernon b.c. Posts: 3,022	78 blazer tailgate hard to open ? My tailgate is hard to open, I pull the handle up and have to give it a tug to open. When I pull the handle up I don,t see the latch being pulled maybe very little ,is there a way to adjust the handle pull ?

08-14-2019, 02:20 PM	#2
68Timber I know the pieces fit Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: MONTGOMERY, AL Posts: 5,523	Re: 78 blazer tailgate hard to open ? Yes, you can shim it with washers. It was over several years back I had to do one of mine and I don't recall exactly how I did it but if you take the inside cover off and work the handle and watch the rods you'll figure it out. __________________ John 79 2wd Blazer (Bruiser) 85 M1009 Blazer (Sarge) build 74 Honda Z50 build

08-29-2019, 09:12 PM	#3
1972 C10 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Amarillo, Texas Posts: 49	Re: 78 blazer tailgate hard to open ? Not a fix, but if you lean your belly against it while pulling handle, it works every time on my 78 Jimmy. __________________ 64 Chevy Suburban/Carryall 4x4 72 C10 Highlander LWB 34 Chevy 5 wdo Street Rod 64 Corvette Roadster w/AC 78 TransAm WS6 78 GMC Jimmy 2WD Slammed SOLD!

08-29-2019, 09:21 PM	#4
blazer2007 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: vernon b.c. Posts: 3,022	Re: 78 blazer tailgate hard to open ? that.s what I do LOL

08-30-2019, 12:52 PM	#5
Irish1941 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 450	Re: 78 blazer tailgate hard to open ? The rods need to have bend put back in. Over yrs the rods stretch and straighten out, making the pull shorter Just tweak them a bit and it'll open like new.

08-31-2019, 09:15 AM	#6
blazer2007 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: vernon b.c. Posts: 3,022	Re: 78 blazer tailgate hard to open ? thanks I will try that

10-15-2019, 09:41 AM	#8
buffydores Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Longview, TX Posts: 758	Re: 78 blazer tailgate hard to open ? Phillip: Leaning into it is standard operating procedure.

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