Condition A

Condition A repair involves replacing the tailgate with a new tailgate (see Parts Required) and welding the new tailgate side flange to the sidewall.

1. Disconnect tailgate marker light harness (if equipped).





2. Pry lock tab of tailgate check cable outward to clear stud head on cargo box (Figure 1).

3. Push cable end forward until stud head is in clearance hole portion of cable end.

4. Separate cable end from stud.

5. Remove screw holding cable to tailgate.

6. Separate check cable from tailgate.





7. (1994 and 1995) Remove locking bolt holding tailgate hinge collar to hinge pin (Figure 2). (1996) Close tailgate until the notch in the right hand collar aligns with the pivot pin.

8. Slip tailgate hinge collar from hinge pin.

9. Slide tailgate to the right and separate left hand collar from the pivot pin.

10. Separate the tailgate from the vehicle and place it on a suitable workplace.

11. Remove the upper bed liner molding from the tailgate (if equipped).

12. Lift and hold tailgate latch release handle.

13. Using a trim stick (C-4755) pry bottom of escutcheon outward to disengage clips.

14. Rotate escutcheon upward to disengage clip above release handle.





15. Separate escutcheon from tailgate (Figure 3).

16. Disengage clips holding linkage rods to latch handle.

17. Separate linkage rods from handle.





18. Remove screws holding latch handle to tailgate (Figure 4).

19. Separate latch handle from tailgate.

20. Remove the screws holding latch to tailgate.





21. Separate latch and linkage rod assembly from tailgate (Figure 5).

22. Remove the tailgate hinge assembly from both right and left side of the tailgate.





23. On the replacement tailgate, big weld the flange at both the right and left top inner end of the tailgate (Figure 6).

NOTE:
PREP THE AREA TO BE WELDED BY GRINDING AWAY ANY E-COAT.

NOTE:
THE FLANGE TO SIDEWALL WELD MUST BE AT LEAST 10 MM LONG.

24. Smooth and dress weld as necessary.

25. Clean, feather edge, prime, paint, and clearcoat the tailgate as necessary.

26. After paint has dried, apply Mopar Rustproofing And Sealant P/N J8993799 to inside of tailgate through latch openings.

27. Install latch and linkage rod assemblies into the tailgate.

28. Install the latch handle onto the tailgate.

29. Insert the linkage rods into the latch handle and install the linkage rod clips.

30. Lift and hold the tailgate latch release handle and install the escutcheon onto the tailgate.

31. Install upper bed liner molding onto the tailgate (if equipped).





32. Install both right and left hinge assembly onto the tailgate.

NOTE:
HINGE ASSEMBLIES (P/N 55274768 AND 55274769) ARE REQUIRED FOR TAILGATES THAT ARE REPLACED ON VEHICLES BUILT IN THE UNITED STATES PRIOR TO 3-27-95 (MDH 0327XX) OR VEHICLES BUILT IN MEXICO PRIOR TO 4-10-95 (MDH 0410XX).

33. Install the tailgate hinge collars over the hinge pins.

34. Install the tailgate check cable onto the tailgate and secure the screw.

35. Install the tailgate check cable onto the cargo box stud and close the tailgate.