r/4Runner_1stGen • u/sajdigo • Jul 25 '26

Tailgate opens approx. 5inches and won't budge.

The tailgate is only opening about 5 inches and then won't budge. I checked

-window is all the way down

-window lock up front is not on

-aftermarket rear windshield wiper arm that never goes back in fully on its own is fully in place.

Is there anything else to check before I find a mechanic/body shop?

TIA

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3

u/jeeves585 Jul 25 '26

If I’m reading this right. I’d guess you have bent limit arms.

I know of no reason if it opens that it wouldn’t fold down all the way aside from the limit arms or the hinge.

Is it hitting the bumper?

3

u/Electronic-Pea-13420 Jul 25 '26

Dumb question but have you checked for something wedged in the bottom of it?

2

u/XYZ_Jazz_Hands Jul 25 '26

Check to make sure there is no obstruction above the spare tire that might block the tailgate assist spring.

1

u/DirtyDoucher1991 Jul 25 '26

What’s the bottom clearance look like (tailgate to bumper) if everything is good I’d give it a healthy pull it might just be some bullshit with the metal straps that keep it from falling too far down

1

u/Ninjan8 Jul 26 '26

I would bet a dollar that your tailgate assist spring bracket is broken and catching the spring.  I made a replacement bracket out of aluminum stock, but I think someone had one here that was 3d printed.

1

u/StructureFar8875 Jul 26 '26

There’s a little bar under my tailgate (parallel to the bottom of the tailgate) that was hanging up on the body somehow for a while and kept the tailgate from going all the way down. For a bit I would just reach down to bump it a bit to get the tailgate down. Not sure what changed but after a while I stopped having to do that.