Tailgate "block out" rod question

[dsilverline]

Hey folks,

Almost done with my tailgate restoration and stumped on something: The control rod and lever in the pic - I can't seem to figure out what the purpose is and how it works. When I took my tailgate apart there was no spring and no part of the assembly seemed to do anything. I ordered a bunch of items off LMC including the spring as I knew there was other stuff missing. LMC doesn't even list the rod or the center latch mechanism I marked as "X" (Luckily both of mine were ok) . I found another diagram from a technical manual that names the rod as "ROD ASM, Block Out". I noticed that if the rod is pulled all the way back it will 'sort of' block the tailgate handle from being opened (actually just make it harder) but don't see why anyone would want that or how it would be pulled back forward.

As far as the spring I found some reference images online of how the spring is attached but don't see how the "non-loop" side could remain fixed in the center "X" latch. On LMC the spring is called "Spring, Latch Control". But then again, everything works fine (as I've been used to) without it....?

 

[ktmoutfront]

The bar is to stop the handle from opening the latches until the window is all of the way down. It should only move during the last 1 inch of window movement. The last picture is the correct spring install location. Not sure what is going on in the green picture.

 

[dsilverline]

Ooohhhhh! Now it totally makes sense.....pretty cool design with the window sash pushing the lever down at the bottom of travel. It's back together and working perfect. Easy to see how that's a feature that could be broken for years without anyone noticing....Thanks man!

 

[Shawn]

I just went through on mine the other day. The plastic parts breaks on almost every used tailgate I have come across. Its something you could leave out since its there for safety while the window is up.

 

[dsilverline]

For sure, yeah, the plastic tube that the rod slides through in your pic was snapped in half on mine. Since I didn't have a replacement and being the OCD type I am I epoxied the halves together and made a sheetmetal press fit sleeve to reinforce it haha. I have a boy who likes to mess with stuff so I figure the safety aspect of the lock mechanism can't hurt.