MODS DELETE

Hey guys,

I searched all over on how to do this and only found threads/sites that show it done to a 2nd gen. (maybe I didn't search hard enough so sorry if I missed something).

anywho, does anyone know exactly how to remove and replace a tailgate from a 1st gen? It looks as though you just remove the bolts where it hinges, but I'm wondering if it is necessary to take out the tail lights and remove it from that side (it looks as though there's a bolt both on the outside under the tail light and also one on the inside where the tailgate is).

Thanks in advance for any advice, I can't imagine this is a hard task to accomplish.

 

@scocar

 

I'm pretty sure you just have to lift it up and take off all the wheels, roll all your windows down, have the lights on, make sure it's in neutral, open all the doors and carefully beat the tailgate with a hammer until it falls off.

Just kidding I think you just unscrew it and pop it off.

Any tailgate thieves wanna chime in?

 

Never had to do mine, but it is likely as simple as it looks. Don't dig into the tail lights unless removing the others don't do the trick.

I mean, this isn't' like my wife's Jetta, where you'd have to remove the front headlights to take off a back wheel.

 

Your wife has a Jetta too?

 

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Any 1/2 ton I've ever owned one end of the tailgate has a c shaped bracket, open tailgate to about a 45 degree angle and pull out that end, then the other end of the tailgate pulls off the round cup like braket. The safety straps just pop off by holding down flat spring type metal piece, or whatever way they are on, self explanatory

 

Take it to a qualified mechanic if you can't figure it out. If you can take a wheel off.....you can take the tailgate off.