Cannot open tailgate
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Cannot open tailgate
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?
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 177
Likes: 0
From: yooperland
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.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 554
Likes: 1
From: Newport, Wa.
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.
Hotshot
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 10,459
Likes: 10
From: RVA
On the newer F150s the tailgate is something like $2300. Ouch.
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
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.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 554
Likes: 1
From: Newport, Wa.
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.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 379
Likes: 0
From: Minneapolis, Mn
Securing your tailgate
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.
Trending Topics
Tuned
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 492
Likes: 0
From: Louisville
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
www.undercoverinfo.com
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Ford Super Duty: 5 Things Owners LOVE, 5 Things They LOATHE!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2026 Ford Truck Engine RANKED from WORST to FIRST!
Michael S. Palmer
The Best F-150 Deal of Every Trim Level (XL through Raptor)
Joe Kucinski
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
