How do I remove the tailgate?

Amazingly, I haven't found a post or video on this, which leads me to believe it's so simple that no one's bothered. But not simple enough for me, apparently. I did see a vid on how to remove one from a dodge, and that looked vary easy, but mine doesn't look like a fold-to-the-correct-angle-and-lift method. Instead I'm suspected I might have to go behind the tail lights to find the nuts for the hinges. But, better to ask here than exploring blindly, I figure! (BTW, the reason I'm removing it is in case it's a good idea for an impending Monstaliner event.) Pointers, as always, appreciated!

 

There's just a couple bolts on both sides, take those off and unhook the straps that keep it from lowering too low. Then it comes right off

At least I don't remember mine being any harder than that, I removed it to install a swing out tail gate and it came off pretty easily.

 

The bolt you see under the hinge

 

Oh, thanks! that's the hinge bolt I was talking about, but I'd assumed there was a nut on the back end. By the sounds of it, nope, and that's a relief. Much appreciated JKO1998.

 

I suggest spraying the monstaliner instead of rolling


If you stuck rolling buy a bunch of rollers

 

Go to South Central, they'll show you...

 

Yeah, I read up on monstaliner and bought some extra rollers since I heard they can disintegrate and leave pieces in the paint. Wish I could spray, though. Another question: Since I now know the tailgate bolt has no nut on the backend to worry about, can I assume the same for the big philips head screws holding my tie downs to the corners of the bed? I'd like to take those off before painting, too, if I can budge those phillips heads.

 

I am more worried about desert rats than anything when it comes to my truck - Honda civics are the prey of choice here - my friend had his stolen twice lol

 

Yeah they just unbolt too, I could only get one of mine to move though

 

I just Raptor Lined my Tacoma bed a few weeks ago. To pull the bed tie-downs I used an impact screwdriver(the kind you hit with a hammer) - worked great to get them started. I would not have been able to take them out with just a screwdriver alone. I also pulled the tailgate latch strikers since I was going to line that area of the bed. In all of the empty holes, I used silicone hole plugs - made reinstalling them a breeze.

 

JKO1998 Yes, now that I'm done, I wish I could have sprayed. The product is fine, I was not a great applicator. The stuff dries pretty quickly, and that made me go too quickly, which led to drips I didn't see until it was too late. And on the bed I still managed to miss some places next to the ribs. I went back where I could,and I think it will be okay, but were I to do it again with rollers and brush, I'd do smaller sections so I could take more time, and I think on the bed I'd try the paint brush and then the roller so I could get full coverage with the brush and texture with the roller. That was my experience. Spraying would have been the way to go. But overall, functional and okay without too careful an eye.

Oh, and thanks to all on tail gate question. No problems there, and I got the cargo hooks off with a socket wrench driver. Project done!

 

Is this the bolt you remove on each side?

 

Yes

 

Yes

 

Thanks.

 

I know it's an old thread, but its worth mentioning there are spacers/bushings in the bolt hole. Don't lose them, sometimes they stay in tight other times they fall right out.