Tailgate Break down

1980-1986 Datsun 720 forums. All 720-specific topics and discussion can be found here.
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Joined: Tue Oct 17, 2006 4:09 pm
Car: 89 Nissan 240SX
89 Koop
84 720 4x4KC
Location: Va Bch

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My Handle on my tailgate snapped at the fulcrum, so I just had a floppy handle and had to use a knife to open my gate.

I decided to to take apart my gate yesterday and this is what I remember.

First you will need to get your gate dropped down.

Then unhinge the gate from one side, just lift the metal tab and slide it out
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Grab a 12mm or a 1/2" socket and loosen all four gate bolts.
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take out all but one, unhinge the other side while supporting the gate remove last bolt and its off.
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Lay it down, nissan/datsun facedown. You should be staring at 10 rusted screws.
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Take out the surrounding 8 and then do the center two last. I sprayed them with PBblaster and then I used a vicegrip and a large phillips bit at the same time.
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Now you should be able to open it up. You will see the handle and two rods with rubber on them connected to a pivoting bracket.

Unclip the yellow plastic and using a flathead screw driver rotate it til the rod can pop out. repeat on the other til its out.

Then using a 10mm you should be able to fully disassemble.

I will add more pictures when I assemble it. but this post should be good enough for someone to easily get it apart.


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