Tail gate cable replacement, question?

[mjmcdowell]

Ok Walt...... 15 min. replacement time? How about elaborating on this, I started to get a headache when I read $48 a side from the dealer and then I got a headache when I read the "15 easy steps solution". Boy! sometimes I think the people who engineer these things don't even have a clue to practicality, what say? stay safe mjmcdowell

[Walt]

Ok, let me do some thinking (It's been a long day, and I'll get some pics to post tonight with the how to Hopefully it'll rain and storm while I'm doing it so I Reed can add Stormy weather to the list of weather I perform mods in along with freezing temps

[F9K9]

Latch/Support Cable Assembly Replacement - Endgate Pickup# Safely support the endgate in the open position.
# Remove the endgate bedliner. Refer to Pickup Box Bedliner Replacement .
# Remove the endgate handle. Refer to Handle Replacement - Endgate .
# Disconnect the endgate support cable from the striker bolt through the keyhole slot.
# Remove the bolts retaining the endgate latch/support cable assembly to the endgate.
# Remove the latch assembly from the endgate.
# Remove the latch rod from the slot in the latch assembly.

********I will insert this at the end********



# Install the latch rod to the slot in the latch/support cable assembly.
Notice

Refer to Fastener Notice in Cautions and Notices.
# Install the latch assembly to the endgate.
# Install the bolts retaining the endgate latch assembly to the endgate.

Tighten

Tighten the latch assembly bolts to 28 N·m (21 lb ft).
# Connect the endgate support cable to the striker bolt through the keyhole slot.
# Install the endgate handle. Refer to Handle Replacement - Endgate .
# Install the endgate bedliner. Refer to Pickup Box Bedliner Replacement

Handle Replacement - Endgate Pickup
Removal Procedure

1. Use a flat-bladed tool in order to remove the pickup box endgate latch handle bezel.
2. Remove the endgate bedliner. Refer to Pickup Box Bedliner Replacement .
3. Remove the bolts that retain the pickup box endgate latch handle to the endgate.



# Perform the following steps in order to remove the endgate latch rods from the endgate latch handle:

1. Position the endgate handle upward to gain access to the lower latch rod retaining clip.
2. Disconnect the retaining clip from the lower latch rod.
3. Slide the lower latch rod from the retaining clip and the handle.
4. Position the endgate handle downward to gain access to the upper latch rod retaining clip.
5. Disconnect the upper latch rod retaining clip from the upper latch rod.
6. Slide the upper latch rod from the retaining clip.




5. Remove the endgate handle from the endgate.

Installation Procedure

1. Install the pickup box endgate latch handle to the endgate.

# Perform the following step in order to install the endgate latch rods to the endgate handle:

1. Position the endgate handle upward to gain access to the lower latch rod retaining clip.
2. Slide the lower latch rod into the retaining clip and the handle.
3. Connect the retaining clip to the lower latch rod.
4. Position the endgate handle downward to gain access to the upper latch rod retaining clip.
5. Slide the upper latch rod into the retaining clip.
6. Connect the upper latch rod retaining clip from the upper latch rod.

Notice

Refer to Fastener Notice in Cautions and Notices.
# Install the bolts that retain the pickup box endgate handle to the endgate.
Tighten

Tighten the bolts to 25 N·m (18 lb ft).
# Install the endgate bedliner. Refer to Pickup Box Bedliner Replacement .
# Position the endgate handle bezel around the endgate handle.
# Press the bezel until the retainers are fully engaged and the bezel is seated.

[Walt]

Wow man....that's the hard way

Ok, here goes:

Go to O'reilly autoparts or somewhere that carries "Help" cables, and pickup the correct cables for this application.

Now, let the tailgate down, but don't take it off.

On the latch assembly where the cable is secured to the tailgate, you'll find something similar to a large rivet holding the cable on. This rivet will have to be drilled out.

After drilling out the rivet, put the bolt that came with the "help" cable through the hole, then on the inside of the latch support assembly, slide the cable over the bolt, then the washer if included, then you'll have to snap a clip over the end of the bolt. The clip is similar to a snap ring. I think it's an E-clip.

Now just attach the cables to the bed of the truck and you're done.

I think the entire process took me about 30 minutes, only because I had to hunt for my titanium drill bits because my others were dull. If I hadn't had to find those, I'd give 15 to 20 minutes. Let me know if you have any questions.

[F9K9]

Wow man....that's the hard way :lol..............................

I spent over an hour on that post to assist members with similar problems. I could have emailed all of that info in a ms "doc" attachment in 30 seconds but, want to follow by the moderator's wishes.

I am a very slow typist and wish I could provide my resorces to those that need them more readily.

[HenryJ]

By the book is not always the easy way.

[F9K9]

By the book is not always the easy way.

I'm slow, Brule. Would you please clarify?

TIA

Reed

[HenryJ]

I was refering to Wamason's comment that the twenty five step "book" method is "the hard way". It would seem that his first hand experience with aftermarket parts was easier.
Many times the "book" lists steps that can be bypassed. Many times I have run into instances where it say you must do "this" and I find that "this" is not really needed.

[bwenny247]

did mine the same way wamason did, took about 20 minutes because of a dull bit. i got my "HELP!" cable at advanced auto

[Walt]

I was refering to Wamason's comment that the twenty five step "book" method is "the hard way". It would seem that his first hand experience with aftermarket parts was easier.
Many times the "book" lists steps that can be bypassed. Many times I have run into instances where it say you must do "this" and I find that "this" is not really needed.

Actually I was refering to the different between the methods, not directions I wish I could've taken pics and posted something like Reed posted, to give a bit more detail.

Brule, this thread might make a good sticky. There are directions for both methods of replacing tailgate cables on here