Replacing Tailgate on Full Size 1987 XLT

[snowman74]

Howdy Ya'll,

Well, I got the new tailgate on the old 1987 Bronco. I'm having one **** of a time getting everything lined up just right. But the main problem is, I can't seem to get the release latches to work. I think I've got all the linkages hooked up properly, but they just don't pull in enough to undo the latches. Also, the bottom linkage, that goes to a plastic clip on one of the spring retainers...I can't figure out exactly what to do with that. I don't know what the rubber tubing is on there for...I don't know exactly what it is supposed to catch on...I'm just plain lost.

Any help in getting things lined up properly and getting that linkage to work would be greatly appreciated. Oh, I don't have the glass in yet. I figured it would be easier to get everything else in first and then put the glass in. Is that a bad thing?

Blade: After our conversation on this topic, I thought I understood what you meant...but I don't. I've spent too many hours beating my head against a wall with this thing. I think I'd rather replace the water pump than have to do this tailgate thing again.

Justshootme: Looked where you told me...couldn't find your tech article on Superfords (Supermotors.net).

Thanks ya'll,

Snowman74 >-

 

[miesk5]

http://www.supermotors.net/clubs/superford.../media/237606_1 by Steve

is the rubber split? see PN 13

in View E

View A & C show plastic clip(s) locations, etc.

 

[snowman74]

http://www.supermotors.net/clubs/superford.../media/237606_1 by Steve

is the rubber split? see PN 13

in View E

View A & C show plastic clip(s) locations, etc.

No, the rubber piece is about an inch or so long. Does the plastic clip go AROUND the rubber part on the rod? The plastic clip that goes into the retainer clip hole doesn't have anything that hold it in place there. Should I epoxy it onto the clip? Would a zip-tie work instead?

Thanks,

Snowman74 >-

 

[miesk5]

it goes thru the rubber tubing as sown in View E...hope that is what we're discussing now; if not ;et's just refer to the Views and PN's in each view.

ok, in next image by Chris, is it PN 43884 that we're discussing?

http://www3.bc.sympatico.ca/cbradley/tailg...e&latch.JPG

ok, I'm tired, was up all night...so here is Steve's pic showing some of it;

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/160790/...echanism-in.jpg

it may be rusted to Tailgate heaven so try a zip tie for now.

will bbl

& a linkage pic by Dustin:

http://ylobronc.users.superford.org/linkage.JPG

hard to see but it gives you the idea.

 

[snowman74]

No, the rubber piece is about an inch or so long. Does the plastic clip go AROUND the rubber part on the rod? The plastic clip that goes into the retainer clip hole doesn't have anything that hold it in place there. Should I epoxy it onto the clip? Would a zip-tie work instead?

Thanks,

Snowman74 >-

Miesk5,

Yes, it is part number 43884. Is the rubber tubing supposed to wrap around the bottom of the linkage, or is it supposed to be straight on the linkage? I just can't figure out what the linkage hooks to on the bottom. I'll try a zip tie to use instead of the plastic clip...because my plastic clip won't hold in that clip hole. It doesn't have any spades on the end or anything that would hold it in place. Maybe it broke when I was taking it apart. Thanks for your help. That picture showing the side view doesn't go far enough to the bottom of the tailgate to see what I need.

Snowman74 >-

 

[snowman74]

:wacko: Okay ya'll, even a blind squirrel finds an acorn every now and then. I finally understand what that dang lower rod is for. When the window is down, it pushes down on that rod, enabling the other latch rods to disengage the tailgate latches. I guess you've all been trying to tell me that, but I wasn't getting it. The zip-tie worked for a retainer clip. Now all I have to do is get the glass in and square everything up. I'm getting there. Thanks to all for your help! Any tips on getting the pop-rivets out of the clip on the tailgate glass? I don't want to break anything.

Snowman74 >-

 

[miesk5]

ok...I'm dense...thought you knew the operation...

Use a dremel to cut the rivets. or a drill....

here is RFR's article on it, but his pics are gone;

http://web.archive.org/web/20030709205117/...nal_page07.html

& Dustin's

http://ylobronc.users.superford.org/tailgate3.html

he gives info on how not to break the glass

btw, clean and **** the latches...I use lithium

 

[snowman74]

ok...I'm dense...thought you knew the operation...

Use a dremel to cut the rivets. or a drill....

here is RFR's article on it, but his pics are gone;

http://web.archive.org/web/20030709205117/...nal_page07.html

& Dustin's

http://ylobronc.users.superford.org/tailgate3.html

he gives info on how not to break the glass

btw, clean and **** the latches...I use lithium

Miesk5,

No, I'm dense...or maybe I just couldn't explain what I was having problems with. I'm one step ahead of you on the lithium grease. I tried using a dremel...but I've gone through like 6 cutoff wheels, and still don't have one rivet out. Think I'll try the drill. I appreciate your help!

Snowman74

 

[Justshootme84]

Snowman, sorry that I didn't get back to you, but Miesk5 has all of the info you could ever need. My SFO site has some pics of the tg parts from my 88 all laid out from when I gutted it open. I know Miesk5 has a link to disable that safety rod for when you remove the rear window as I plan to do, so the tailgate still opens without the glass. (Reverse of that should work if you want to keep the glass). Hope you get it working, but if you still have ?'s I'll watch this thread for a while. JSM84

 

[snowman74]

Snowman, sorry that I didn't get back to you, but Miesk5 has all of the info you could ever need. My SFO site has some pics of the tg parts from my 88 all laid out from when I gutted it open. I know Miesk5 has a link to disable that safety rod for when you remove the rear window as I plan to do, so the tailgate still opens without the glass. (Reverse of that should work if you want to keep the glass). Hope you get it working, but if you still have ?'s I'll watch this thread for a while. JSM84

Not a problem JSM84; you and Miesk5 got me going in the right direction. I just couldn't figure out what the function of that rod was. Now I know. If the glass is out, and the panel is off the inside of tailgate, you can just push down on that rod to engage the door handle. I don't know of any reason you'd want to disable that unless you just don't want to have glass in the back. I guess ******* Broncos would be one reason...but I live in Oklahoma...and while some guys do run *******, the weather here can change in an instant...I want that top on there. Does somebody make a soft top enclosure that functions just like the fiberglass? I mean, one that actually has head room and support brackets etc.?

Thanks again JSM84 and Miesk5. I appreciate your help!

Snowman74 >-

 

[Justshootme84]

Right, the reason I want to remove the glass is that I am ******* permanently, and have a Skyler fastback-style softtop. Since the motor gears stripped out and I didn't want the glass to break if I hit some hard stuff, and I could also sell or re-use the glass on another Bronco. You can't just take out the glass, you have to modify the safelty latch so the tailgate still opens and closes. I'd like to take the whole tg off for good, too, to save weight, and will eventually d othat when I can add some braces to keep the side panels aligned.

And both Skyler and Kayline/STC made a "safari-style" softtop that replaces the factory hardtop.

 

[snowman74]

Right, the reason I want to remove the glass is that I am ******* permanently, and have a Skyler fastback-style softtop. Since the motor gears stripped out and I didn't want the glass to break if I hit some hard stuff, and I could also sell or re-use the glass on another Bronco. You can't just take out the glass, you have to modify the safelty latch so the tailgate still opens and closes. I'd like to take the whole tg off for good, too, to save weight, and will eventually d othat when I can add some braces to keep the side panels aligned.

And both Skyler and Kayline/STC made a "safari-style" softtop that replaces the factory hardtop.

Thanks for the info JSM84. Now that I know how it works, if you want to be able to open it without the glass... unless Miesk5 disagrees, I'd just modify that lower latch so that it is constantly pulled down...but then again, I don't know what this would do to the springs on the mechanism. Let me know what you do to make that happen, please. Thanks again.

Snowman74 >-