2002 Tailgate on a 2005

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StockBlack

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I'm still kicking myself for this one, but I figured I'd try the experts before I gave up. I had a large amount of damage on my 2005 KJ tailgate and purchased a 2002 tailgate with the intention of swapping them out. I should have done my due diligence but I didn't notice the differences before I began to put 2005 parts onto the replacement 2002 tailgate.

When I got to the handle, I found the issues. The bolting pattern on the handle and latch are different from 2002 to 2005. I still have the 2002 handle and latch so I could bolt them on, however, the 2002 has the locking mechanism on the handle. I was hoping the 2002 latch would work when hooked up to the wiring harness and I could just ignore the handle lock, but there is no latch action when the remote lock/unlock is triggered. The 4 wires leading into the latch on the harness are different colors in the 2002/2005 harnesses. There is also a pair of wires leading to the lock mechanism in the 2002 handle.

I know I'm probably out of luck but it never hurts to ask.
Thanks for any help.
 

Billwill

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I'm still kicking myself for this one, but I figured I'd try the experts before I gave up. I had a large amount of damage on my 2005 KJ tailgate and purchased a 2002 tailgate with the intention of swapping them out. I should have done my due diligence but I didn't notice the differences before I began to put 2005 parts onto the replacement 2002 tailgate.

When I got to the handle, I found the issues. The bolting pattern on the handle and latch are different from 2002 to 2005. I still have the 2002 handle and latch so I could bolt them on, however, the 2002 has the locking mechanism on the handle. I was hoping the 2002 latch would work when hooked up to the wiring harness and I could just ignore the handle lock, but there is no latch action when the remote lock/unlock is triggered. The 4 wires leading into the latch on the harness are different colors in the 2002/2005 harnesses. There is also a pair of wires leading to the lock mechanism in the 2002 handle.

I know I'm probably out of luck but it never hurts to ask.
Thanks for any help.

You could compare the wiring diagrams between the two different years...will at least show you where the different colored wires go. You can download both year Service manuals here..includes circuit diagrams.:shrug:

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