Tailgate Latch Handle
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From: Haysville, KS
Tailgate Latch Handle
My old tailgate latch handle was bent and looking pretty sad, so I got a nice new one to install. They look identical but I can't get it to work.
The latch installs fine, but when I go to use it, it POPS over the mechanism that pulls the rods and won't open the tailgate.
Has anyone seen this? Any ideas?
1985 F150
The latch installs fine, but when I go to use it, it POPS over the mechanism that pulls the rods and won't open the tailgate.
Has anyone seen this? Any ideas?
1985 F150
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Simi Valley, CA
Styleside tailgate handle same 1980/86 F100/350, 1987/91 is different. Rod clips are the same 1973/96 F100/350 also used as door lock cylinder rods clips on cars.
Clips available from Ford and a gazillion autoparts stores.
1983/86 tailgate-lower pic.
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From: Haysville, KS
Let's see if I can explain..
The rods clip into a plate that rotates on a pivot. The handle has a pin that pushes down on the rotating plate when you pull the handle.
In my case, that pin appears to be POPPING past the rotating plate, thus not pushing down on it and thus not turning the plate and thus not pulling on the rods..
Mine does not look like Bill's diagram. I'll see if I can get a pic posted.
The rods clip into a plate that rotates on a pivot. The handle has a pin that pushes down on the rotating plate when you pull the handle.
In my case, that pin appears to be POPPING past the rotating plate, thus not pushing down on it and thus not turning the plate and thus not pulling on the rods..
Mine does not look like Bill's diagram. I'll see if I can get a pic posted.
Ford Parts Specialist
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From: Simi Valley, CA
Adrian paid too, probably pleasing Mr. Clean who is sooo cheap, he wouldn't pay a nickel to watch an ant eat a bale of hay!
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From: Northeast, OK
Tim/KsC - Tomorrow I will look up one of my handles and figure out what you are saying. And maybe take pictures.
Bill - Yup, sounds like the guy I know. I'll bet they had an interesting conversation over lunch. Did your ears burn like mine did?
Bill - Yup, sounds like the guy I know. I'll bet they had an interesting conversation over lunch. Did your ears burn like mine did?
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Posting Guru
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From: Haysville, KS
Here is a pic. The 'pin' you see looks like it should hit the plate and push it down. In practice, it slips by the plate and 'pops'
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Ford Parts Specialist
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From: Simi Valley, CA
1980/86 Styleside tailgates: They look the same, but looks can be deceiving.
Is the tailgate...when opened, supported by cables or metal hinges, known as scissors?
If scissors, this is a 1980/82 tailgate, the scissors are made as part of the R/L latches, so if the latches go bad, you have to replace the whole enchilada.
And...the 1987/91 Styleside tailgate is different from 1980/82 and 1983/86...as is its handle.
Is the tailgate...when opened, supported by cables or metal hinges, known as scissors?
If scissors, this is a 1980/82 tailgate, the scissors are made as part of the R/L latches, so if the latches go bad, you have to replace the whole enchilada.
And...the 1987/91 Styleside tailgate is different from 1980/82 and 1983/86...as is its handle.
Ford Parts Specialist
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From: Simi Valley, CA
Originally Posted by KsCop
My old tailgate handle was bent, so I got a nice new one to install.
If so...this could explain the problemo, cheap made in China crap.
Comparing quality repro parts vs LMC's crap parts is like comparing oats.
Fresh oats can be bought at feed stores, other oats can be found on the road after the horse passes by.
You get what you pay for. Buy the best and cry only once.
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Simi Valley, CA
Green Sales sells genuine Ford obsolete parts, Mac's sells repro parts.
btw: I goofed when I said 1980/82 handle is different than 1983/86, it's the same but there are two types of handle finishes, cadmium or chrome.
E5TZ-9943400-A .. Cadmium Finish / E5TZ-9943400-B .. Chrome Finish.
btw: I goofed when I said 1980/82 handle is different than 1983/86, it's the same but there are two types of handle finishes, cadmium or chrome.
E5TZ-9943400-A .. Cadmium Finish / E5TZ-9943400-B .. Chrome Finish.
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From: Northeast, OK
Glad to hear that as I have an 85 I was planning to put in Dad's 81. Then, when you said they are diff......