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Manual Latch Tailgate Conversion ?

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Wpg_Ram

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Anyone do a mod to convert the tailgate from the actuators into the old style manual latch/handle? This last weekend had 3 yards of pea gravel in the back of the truck and the bloody tailgate refused to open. I could hear the actuators clicking but it refused to budge. Google says this is a known issue but warranty will just have the dealerships clean and grease the latches. I have never had this issue with my old 2010 tailgate.

Thanks all for any suggestions that are not "stop putting so much weight in a working truck"
 
I've had mine stick a couple of times when something heavy shifted up against it while driving. I've managed to unstick it each time by pushing on it, then unlatching. I'm sure that's easier said than done with almost 9,000 pounds of gravel in the bed, but if you could move some away from the tailgate, maybe an option?
 
Wpg_Ram said:
Anyone do a mod to convert the tailgate from the actuators into the old style manual latch/handle? This last weekend had 3 yards of pea gravel in the back of the truck and the bloody tailgate refused to open. I could hear the actuators clicking but it refused to budge. Google says this is a known issue but warranty will just have the dealerships clean and grease the latches. I have never had this issue with my old 2010 tailgate.

Thanks all for any suggestions that are not "stop putting so much weight in a working truck"
Click to expand...
The manual release handle from the 4th gen is too small for the current handle hole.
 
LateToTheParty said:
I've had mine stick a couple of times when something heavy shifted up against it while driving. I've managed to unstick it each time by pushing on it, then unlatching. I'm sure that's easier said than done with almost 9,000 pounds of gravel in the bed, but if you could move some away from the tailgate, maybe an option?
Click to expand...
Holy ****, I didn’t put two and two together. I don’t blame the tailgate for sticking. Poor truck.
 
Yikes, Even a 2wd reg cab Hemi dually 3500 has a max payload of about 7500lbs

I’ve overloaded my Power Wagon, but damn…9k in the bed…
 
At 2.5 yards the gravel would be spilling over the sides of an 8ft box….. you need to push on the tailgate when to much weight is against it…. If it were a manual latch it would probably snap the handle with that much weight
 
LateToTheParty said:
I've had mine stick a couple of times when something heavy shifted up against it while driving. I've managed to unstick it each time by pushing on it, then unlatching. I'm sure that's easier said than done with almost 9,000 pounds of gravel in the bed, but if you could move some away from the tailgate, maybe an option?
Click to expand...
We ended up shoveling a bunch of it from beside the tailgate until it finally dropped ... Was rather annoying because in previous trucks it was just drop and go
 
I know it is a bit more involved than just changing out the handle, but it looks like with a little cutting and welding, you could modify a 4th gen tailgate with manual latch to work.

Along the same lines of this mod for a 5th wheel tailgate.
hdrams.com

Searching for 5th wheel tailgate gate for 2020 RAM 3500.

Anyone know of a 5th wheel tailgate gate for the 2020 RAM 3500. My searches have come up empty. Anyone know of any being made?
hdrams.com hdrams.com
 
el_barto said:
Yikes, Even a 2wd reg cab Hemi dually 3500 has a max payload of about 7500lbs

I’ve overloaded my Power Wagon, but damn…9k in the bed…
Click to expand...
Truck was fine ... nose up a bit, but aside from the tailgate, took the punishment like a champ
 
LateToTheParty said:
I know it is a bit more involved than just changing out the handle, but it looks like with a little cutting and welding, you could modify a 4th gen tailgate with manual latch to work.

Along the same lines of this mod for a 5th wheel tailgate.
hdrams.com

Searching for 5th wheel tailgate gate for 2020 RAM 3500.

Anyone know of a 5th wheel tailgate gate for the 2020 RAM 3500. My searches have come up empty. Anyone know of any being made?
hdrams.com hdrams.com
Click to expand...
That is exactly what i was thinking of, except with a standard tailgate ... like a 2010 tailgate on the back of a 2019
 
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