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4th Gen Tailgate on 5th Gen Bighorn?

Rick3478

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I'm not thrilled with the electric latches on my tailgate. I'd really prefer to have a mechanical handle and key lock. Will earlier tailgates fit, 4th gen or even older? I can figure out the backup camera wiring, but hoping someone can tell me what (if anything) will physically fit the hinges and latch lugs.
 
I'm not thrilled with the electric latches on my tailgate. I'd really prefer to have a mechanical handle and key lock. Will earlier tailgates fit, 4th gen or even older? I can figure out the backup camera wiring, but hoping someone can tell me what (if anything) will physically fit the hinges and latch lugs.
No, a 4th gen tailgate won’t fit on a 5th gen at all. It’s about 1 1/2” shorter, and different hinges.
 
No, a 4th gen tailgate won’t fit on a 5th gen at all. It’s about 1 1/2” shorter, and different hinges.

Thanks, I was afraid of that. So when my battery dies, the tools I need to fix it are going to be locked in the bed. Pretty short-sighted on Ram's part IMO. I guess the most obvious easy solution is to buy a separate set of tools sufficient to work on the battery and stow them someplace that can't be locked. I'll start work on that right away.

Meanwhile, I'd still like to have a key-locked, mechanical means to open the tailgate. Anyone have ideas how that might be done? For starters, are there mechanical latches that will easily fit where the solenoid latches are now? Or could the solenoids be modified to attach a rod or cable release?
 

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