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As I was moving out of my apartment today I went to open my tailgate and "snap", something inside broke. The passenger side of the handle can come pretty much all the way out, the other side still catches whatever is inside. But basically it broke. Can I replace just that part or do I need a new tailgate? Seems like every time I turn around something has either rusted, busted, or leaked, but I guess thats what I should expect after 240k miles.
Well from what I could tell the handle is still fine, looks like it has a hook on each side and I think both sides look fine. But then again I have no idea how that whole assembly works. I'll have to dig into it tomorrow and see if I can find what broke.
Its a really simple setup that is replaceable, just go grab a new handle from the junk yard.
take some torx bits and remove the access pannel to get to the back to unbolt the handle.
you can probably use any handle from 87-96 maybe older.
There are 2 plastic clips in there, those have a tendancy to break, but you said the handle is coming out, which means the rivet broke on the handle from the bracket that bolts to the bed.
Just swap in a new handle.
i didn't take pictures when I did this. My truck has the handle out of my f150.
The access pannel is from my f150 as well, cause the truck was missing one.
The plastic pieces are for the adjustment. It seems weird they are platsic, but while your in there. lube everything up good with fluid film.
and you'll have to play with the adjustments a bit.
I have mine set really touchy. Just a slight pop on the handle and its open, no reefing on it.
They tend to break from being miss-adjusted cause you gotta pull so hard on em.