It finally happened... my plastic tailgate handle broke just as I got a new tonneau cover. I'd like to replace it with a metal one so that that doesn't happen again, but I'd also like to get one with a manual lock. In my research I've only found the pop and lock product, but as I understand it that only works with the plastic factory handle. Are there any products out there that offer a replacement handle with a lock, or would I have to get a new handle then get something like a pop and lock?

 

Welcome to the forum

Always good to include the YEAR of the Ranger as Ford did make changes from 1983 to 2011, and now 2019/20, lol

But 1993 to 2011 used the same handle as far as I known and you can get metal ones

Like this one: https://www.ebay.ca/itm/New-All-Meta...-/371670904774

Not sure on the pop/lock and metal handle

I did read the pop/lock did not secure that well with the plastic handle because it would bend, and if you pulled hard enough tailgate would open or handle would break

Doesn't the cover come down over the back of the tailgate?
So tailgate can't be opened if cover is locked down?

 

It's a 2011.

I've looked at that handle but am unsure if it's compatible with a pop-and-lock. Perhaps others know? Was hoping there is a metal handle out there that has a lock mechanism.

Yes it does. Fortunately, I was able to use pliers to open the tailgate and unlock the tonneau cover. Took about an hour of fussing over but it worked :)

 

????

So the cover doesn't lock from the outside, you have to open the tail gate to unlock it?
Don't like it, lol

Years ago I had a hard cover that locked from top rear to the bed rail on both sides, and came down enough so tail gate couldn't be opened when cover was down and locked

 

Yeah... it's one of those inexpensive fabric foldable ones.

 

Then DO NOT LOCK the tailgate..................DO NOT LOCK the tailgate!!!!

Its the same as a convertible car, you never EVER lock a convertible
Why?
Because a thief WILL have a knife or even a screwdriver, and they WILL slice a soft top to get in
A convertible top is expensive, usually way more than anything stolen, lol, and your soft cover may not be that expensive but you don't want to have to replace it either
If tailgate is locked a thief WILL cut the top to have a look at why it is locked, lol

 

But it was advertised as one of those "knife proof" soft tops!

 

Yes, that's great, don't lock tailgate
A thief may still cut the cover just to have a look but nothing you can do about that

If you need to lock up stuff then use a metal box, bolted to bed

 

Back to the original question about the locking tailgate, if that is something that you still want to do. My 96 ranger has the metal handle from the factory, and I found the pop n lock specifically for the metal handle and it is working great for me. I don't know how simple or complex it would be to convert from plastic to metal, but once you have the metal handle installing the pop n lock is pretty easy. It took me about 45 minutes by that was because it was 32 degrees and raining out so I had to come back inside a few times to warm my hands back up. Here is a link to the pop n lock I bought for my metal tailgate handle. you just have to make sure you get the right one for your truck.

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.etrailer.com/Vehicle-Loc...k/PAL2300.html