My tailgate handle broke tonight. I can not get it open to try and fix it. Any ideas on how to get it open. One of the 2 sides broke. I have trie with pliers, screwdrivers, and knives.T H epiece that is still in there needs to come up and out. How much does a replacement cost? I would try a waranty replacement but with my pop&Lock I do not think they would cover it. Since it is right where it broke. Any ideas please let me know.

 

just do a handle relocater kit and SHAVE IT!!!!

 

no...thankyou....or just put the metal one from 3rd gen so it doesnt brake anymore

 

The cheapo plastic handles are easy to break, I broke mine on my last truck too. Replacement is easy. It's like a $30 at your local dealer, maybe less at the parts store. Ask for a metal one (a few bux more than a stock plastic one) and you'll never have this problem again.

As for getting the tailgate open w/o the handle, I think your best bet would be to disassemble the mechanism from the inside fo the tailgate. You'll have to get in there to replace the handle anyhow. Basically there are like 10-12 torx head screws that hold a long plate in place. Remove the plate and the mechanism is accessable. Replacing the handle is difficult to explain, but straightforward. I don't even recall needing tools to do it once the access plate is off.

 

I looked at it last night and with the platic bed liner I do not think I can get it all of with tailgate closed. It was dark so I will check again today with some light. Thanks for the help. If it only around 30 bucks I will probably get one today instead of waiting for an ebay auction to end. Thanks for the help that is exactly what I wanted to hear.

 

That ebay acution is buy it now u dont have to wait there bud

 

If you can afford to wait a few days I have a plastic one you can have for $5 plus shipping. I have to recommend the metal ones, though, and depending on what color your truck is you can order it for a 98 model year which come painted.

 

i had to replace mine back in december when it broke.. i got the same thing i had on there, the cheap black plastic one.. it wasn't 30 tho.. i went to the ford dealer and they had it in stock.. was like 11 bucks, or something close to that.. i was expecting to pay like 25

 

 

Appreciate the offer but I ordered the metal one. I don't want to deal with this again. I almost fell out of my chair when I heard that 33 bucks for another plastic one after seeing the metal ones for 5. I just have to get the damn thing open now so I can work on it.

 

My estimate of "like $30" was A) a guestimate from a repair I made over three years ago and B) for the metal one, not the plastic one.

 

Your estimate was dead on and if I had not seen it for $5 and be able to have them send it out today I would of done it. I just got frustrated with the guy on the phone talking about ordering it and 33 and he said they are all plastic. I just decided to wait on it.

 

you need to use a screwdriver on the latches to get it open. make sure you pull on the tailgate after you get each latch undone. it's easier if you have a friend do one side and you do the other at the same time.

 

Got it open last night. Now the question is how to get the old handle off. I didn't try to hard because I don't want it off until I get the new one. But I did not see how to get it off. Any words of wisdom would be appreciated.

 

Remove the 8 (10?) bolts that hold your bedliner tailgate cover on, they also hold on the access panel to the latch mechanism. There are 2 bolts that hold the whole assembly on, and two clips that connect the handle mechanism to the rods that go out to the edges of the tailgates. Use a flat-tip screwdriver to pop the clips on the rods, undo the 2 bolts (8mm if I remember correctly) and the whole works should come apart, you pull the spring-loaded scissors out from there and the handle itself should just fall out the front.

 

What brand of metal handle did you get? Everywhere I've called only offers the $33 plastic replacement handle.