It seems that all that was needed was a woman's touch. My wife went out this
morning and tried to open the tailgate. It happily obliged immediately. Now
all I've got to do is touch up the paint where all my forceful tool-wielding
was fruitlessly applied last night ...

/Peter

"Howard" > wrote in message
oups.com...
> Try unbolting the hinges then lift the gate up and out? The shop
> manual shows the hinge bolts as facing down and hidden under the
> plastic trim. the hinges appear to be the nutplates. Good luck and
> let us know what works.
>