Hi i have a 2004 F150 Fx4 and i just locked the tailgate for the first time and now i cannot unlock it. i turned it clockwise to lock it and im trying to turn it counter clockwise to unlock it and it seems like its putting too much tension on the key....am i doing somthing wrong?

 

Yeah it turns about a 1/4 turn to lock clockwise and about an 1/8 turn counterclockwise to unlock. If you take the 8 torx bolts off the inside tailgate panel it will expose the locking mechanism. Probably just got some rust or crud in there.

 

Once you get it freed up, use it. I was told by the dealer when I bought my truck to always lock the tail gate. They are expensive to replace so if some jurk ruins his or hers they will steal another one. But it you keep it locked it's much more difficult to remove.

 

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On the newer F150s the tailgate is something like $2300. Ouch.

 

Thanks i got it open . . . thats why i was locking it so it wouldnt get stolen i just got it 2 weeks ago i used to keep the tailgate locked on my 350 too....it was so tight to unlock it i was afraid i was going to break the key... locking it is very smooth but unlocking is still very tight im gunna try taking the panel out and cleaning it and put sum WD40 in there.

 

Good news. You have the right idea in getting it loosend up I think. Another thing to keep clean and lubed is the lock for the spare tire crank mechinism. It has tabs that get stuck to the inside of the bumper from rust and dirt. Enjoy your truck.

 

In addition to locking it, if you put a hose clamp around the one end pivot that lifts out, it will slow up a tailgate thief considerably. Anything you can do to make it more difficult for them to steal yours is to your advantage.

 

If you are lookiing for a hard bed cover, the cover from undercover will hang over your tailgate. This will also make it more difficult to remove your tailgate for a would be thief. www.undercoverinfo.com