I have a 1994 F350 and the tailgate is stuck. I removed the inside panel and the mechanism is moving properly. I took a pair of pliars and squeezed the mechanism to insure it was opened as far as possible and it still won't open. There's no real movement on either side. I just got this truck not too long ago and it was working for a while. I don't remember what the latch looks like on the end. Does anyone have a pic I can look at to see where I need to try and get pressure on the latch? Any suggestions besides lubricating the mechanism? Thanks

 

a similar thing just happened to my dads 2004 f250. i took the tailgate panel off and saw that one of the rods that went from the handle to the latch on the side came undone. i just snapped it back in place and it was good to go. there are two of these rods. one that goes to the latch on the left and and one that goes to the one on the right. of course this is a 2004 and you have a 1994. im not sure if the tailgate assemblys are the same

 

There is an anvil that stops the opening mechanism, sometimes it gets loose or moves and the part that the rod attaches to falls beyond the anvil, the anvil is a flat part of the mechanism that when pushed on it releases the tongue, locate the flat part and push down, it should release the tongue.

 

stand on your bumper, and pull up while opening handle, that worked for me..

 

This has the same setup. I'll see if the rods came loose.

 

Our truck we bought for towing had bowed bedrails, causing issues with closing the tailgate. So my Dad and I busted out the floorjack, and come-a-long to spread and contract them back into place

 

I know the people I bought this from. This truck has never been wrecked. Thanks for the thought.

 

It doesn't have to have been wrecked to have bowed bedsides.