Help identifying/locating Spring for Tailgate locking / remote control mechanism

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Laredo Matt
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Joined: Fri Jan 08, 2021 3:32 pm
Location: Washington

Help identifying/locating Spring for Tailgate locking / remote control mechanism

Post by Laredo Matt »

I'm building my tailgate back up. The spring that goes on the lock mechanism broke.

Does anyone know a part number or spring # that is same size and tension? No luck finding a replacement so far.

Image

I went to local stores and couldn't find one that was a match. This was closest I could find size wise but you can spring end loops are offset to different sides on the new spring where factory spring they were on the same side.

Image
Matt
83 Cherokee Laredo WT
L8T 6.6L, 6L90
GEN III LS Swap (LM7 block)
4L60E

SJTD
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Location: Lompoc, Sunland or somewhere between

Re: Help identifying/locating Spring for Tailgate locking / remote control mechanism

Post by SJTD »

Can't use as is? Looks like you could hook the right side from underneath first then install the left side.

Or not enough give to twist it into the original alignment?

Wire looks about the same but it looks like it would be a little stiffer with the smaller diameter coils and maybe one less?

Tried McMaster-Carr?
Sic friatur crustulum

'84 GW with Nissan SD33T, early Chev NV4500, 300, narrowed Ford reverse 44, narrowed Ford 60, SOA/reversed shackle in fornt, lowered mount/flipped shackle in rear.
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devildog80
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Re: Help identifying/locating Spring for Tailgate locking / remote control mechanism

Post by devildog80 »

Agreed you could twist the hooks to fit, or get a slightly larger spring, then modify to do the same.

Try the one you found, you might like it.
'81 CJ5 Base, 258 I6, MC2100, T176 4 spd, 300 TC, D30 Front NT, 3.31, 2-Piece AMC 20 rear NT, 3.31, 4" high arc spring lift
'84 Grand Wagoneer, 401 V8 (.030 over), MC2150 HA Comp, 727 auto, Selec-trac NP229, AMC 20 REAR - D44 FRONT - WT 3.31, 4" high arc spring lift
Rather be driving, than waiting to be modified
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tgreese
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Re: Help identifying/locating Spring for Tailgate locking / remote control mechanism

Post by tgreese »

Looking at the parts book, it was not a service part in the day. Instead you'd replace the whole assembly. If your hardware store replacement does not work, suggest you look for a replacement for the bars and all from a parts car or wreck.
Tim Reese
Maine beekeeper's truck: '77 J10 LWB, 258/T15/D20/3.54 bone stock, low options (delete radio), PS/PDB, hubcaps.
Browless and proud: '82 J20 360/T18/NP208/3.73, Destination A/Ts, 7600 GVWR
Copper Polly: '75 CJ-6, 304/T15, PS, BFG KM2s, soft top
GTI without the badges: '95 VW Golf Sport 2000cc 2D
Dual Everything: '15 Chryco Jeep Cherokee KL Trailhawk, ECO Green
Blockchain the vote.

Topic author
Laredo Matt
Posts: 331
Joined: Fri Jan 08, 2021 3:32 pm
Location: Washington

Re: Help identifying/locating Spring for Tailgate locking / remote control mechanism

Post by Laredo Matt »

Thanks for the responses. The spring is wound a stiffer but will try and modify to see if there is a way to get it to function properly.

I'm sure there is a source for springs that might have something slightly larger but haven't found any local. That was pretty close and then everything is significantly larger or smaller.

Will check mcmaster-carr and also reach out to the community and see if anyone has the control arms (hate to do that) or just a spring.

I thought throwing a perfectly good component away vs. swapping in a new part was a more modern concept ... AMC was ahead of it's time it appears :)
Matt
83 Cherokee Laredo WT
L8T 6.6L, 6L90
GEN III LS Swap (LM7 block)
4L60E
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tgreese
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Re: Help identifying/locating Spring for Tailgate locking / remote control mechanism

Post by tgreese »

Mmm. I expect they never broke in service ... at least for the first four decades. Wasteful to stock it if there is no demand.
Tim Reese
Maine beekeeper's truck: '77 J10 LWB, 258/T15/D20/3.54 bone stock, low options (delete radio), PS/PDB, hubcaps.
Browless and proud: '82 J20 360/T18/NP208/3.73, Destination A/Ts, 7600 GVWR
Copper Polly: '75 CJ-6, 304/T15, PS, BFG KM2s, soft top
GTI without the badges: '95 VW Golf Sport 2000cc 2D
Dual Everything: '15 Chryco Jeep Cherokee KL Trailhawk, ECO Green
Blockchain the vote.

Topic author
Laredo Matt
Posts: 331
Joined: Fri Jan 08, 2021 3:32 pm
Location: Washington

Re: Help identifying/locating Spring for Tailgate locking / remote control mechanism

Post by Laredo Matt »

fair
Matt
83 Cherokee Laredo WT
L8T 6.6L, 6L90
GEN III LS Swap (LM7 block)
4L60E

SJTD
Posts: 1924
Joined: Tue May 21, 2013 12:02 pm
Location: Lompoc, Sunland or somewhere between

Re: Help identifying/locating Spring for Tailgate locking / remote control mechanism

Post by SJTD »

When I said "twist" didn't mean to bend the loops. Meant to rotate one end.
Sic friatur crustulum

'84 GW with Nissan SD33T, early Chev NV4500, 300, narrowed Ford reverse 44, narrowed Ford 60, SOA/reversed shackle in fornt, lowered mount/flipped shackle in rear.
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tgreese
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Joined: Fri Jun 08, 2012 6:31 am
Location: Medford MA USA

Re: Help identifying/locating Spring for Tailgate locking / remote control mechanism

Post by tgreese »

I'd guess you are not required to put the end down through the hole. You could come up through the hole and the ends would be aligned.
Tim Reese
Maine beekeeper's truck: '77 J10 LWB, 258/T15/D20/3.54 bone stock, low options (delete radio), PS/PDB, hubcaps.
Browless and proud: '82 J20 360/T18/NP208/3.73, Destination A/Ts, 7600 GVWR
Copper Polly: '75 CJ-6, 304/T15, PS, BFG KM2s, soft top
GTI without the badges: '95 VW Golf Sport 2000cc 2D
Dual Everything: '15 Chryco Jeep Cherokee KL Trailhawk, ECO Green
Blockchain the vote.
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