My tailgate handle broke and now i can't open it. Whats the best way to get my tailgate off short of torching it?

 

On the inside of the tailgate there is an access panel that runs across the width of the gate. Remove this and then you'll see the actuator rods that run from the middle of the gate out to the latchs on the end. You can actuate the latch by either pulling down on the tabs that the handle pushes on or simply grab hold of the rods and pull toward the center of the gate. You might need to push inward on the gate some to relieve some of the pressure on the latches. A new latch costs about $24 (NAPA etc.). You'll see two nuts on the actuator inside the gate. Remove these and the handle will come out. Slip in the new one, replace the two nuts and access hatch and your back in biz.

Randy