tailgate removal

[fairwynds]

..is there a 'how to' on this subject. Cant even find anything on the tube thingy
Do I leave hinges on door, or on van?
How do I ensure it shuts and locks properlay afterwards.
Dont want to remove it and find there was a knack to it I didnt know!
ps - need to do some work around the door 'shut' area and hi top.
Thanks a bunch people..

[1_eyed_jim]

Pretty straight forward helps to have a helper and it's all in the Haynes

[ELVIS]

As has been said, +1 helper. Undo the hinges where hey attach to van as opposed to tailgate, a lot easier.

Open tailgate, crack off the four set screws ( countersunk head thingies with hex fitting) attaching hinge to van.
Disconnect rubber trunking and remove/slide out any electrics to tailgate.
Take one from each hinge out completely.
Get you brave/strong/willing helper to take weight of tailgate whilst you take the tailgate struts off (small screwdriver to slide the retaining clip in place, careful it doesn't fly off)
With one hand help to hold tailgate up whilst taking remaining two screws out.
Works for me anyway

[fairwynds]

Cheers gents, will get to it (didnt even think to look in my Haynes book! )
Thanks again and Have a good New year..

[123-jn]

when I did mine I followed the same procedure as above but on putting the new one on I discovered that There are captive blocks with the threads in and they were not very captive. This created a bit of a problem holding the tailgate in position and inserting a bolt through a hole into a block that moves everytime you think you have it. In the end I took the tailgate away and fiddled the blocks into what looked like the right position using a small screwdriver then glued them in place temporarily with hot glue. This held them still enough to get the tailgate on. If you don't clean the area up before refitting you will still see the marks showing the hinge positions and it all lines up fine.