hi i'm currently also trying to change the handle assembly. you can open the tailgate from the inside.on the bottom of the liftgate is a 1 inch plug near the pulldown handle. pop that out then stick a 6 inch flat screwdriver into the hole.you'll be piercing a rubber membrane.by feeling around you'll feel the horizontal latch release,about 3-4 inches in.pry down on the handle of the screwdriver in the hole to lift the latch release . you should be able to push the tailgate open. hope this helps. i'm stuck at how remove the outside handle assembly. i have a 2000 grand but they should be the same
gord, April 2008
