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1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks 1987 - 1996 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350 and larger pickups - including the 1997 heavy-duty F250/F350+ trucks

Tailgate handle locks?

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Old Feb 25, 2015 | 11:15 AM
  #1  
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From: Denton, TX
Tailgate handle locks?

Not the "keep the tail gate on its hinges" lock, but the kind that keeps the tail gate from being opened.

I've seen a pop-a-lock add on thingy. Looks tedious if a person uses it a lot.

Can the external handle be disconnected (bet left in place for looks) and the latches be actuated from the inside of the tail gate?

Thinking of adding a hard bed cover. As the cover needs to be raised to drop the tailgate, seems that the tailgate can be just as easily unlatched from the inside.

Granted, the cover's lock isn't great. But if the latch just flops and the cover offers enough resistance to frustrate a thief, it just might be helpful.
 
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Old Feb 25, 2015 | 11:29 AM
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Pull the back plate off and disconnect the mechanisms and pull the rods inwards to get it to release.
In my opinion it won't be the best but that is the only other option I see without the pop-a-lock.
Trav
 
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Old Feb 25, 2015 | 02:35 PM
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The better option is a tailgate handle relocation kit - flips the handle to the inside of the bed and comes with a cover to weld/bodywork onto the outside so it's nice and smooth.:






1992 1996 Ford F150 F250 Tailgate Handle Relocator Kit | eBay
 
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Old Feb 25, 2015 | 02:37 PM
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POWER TAILGATE LOCK
 
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Old Feb 25, 2015 | 03:28 PM
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Originally Posted by MR KROGOTH
The better option is a tailgate handle relocation kit - flips the handle to the inside of the bed and comes with a cover to weld/bodywork onto the outside so it's nice and smooth.:
1992 1996 Ford F150 F250 Tailgate Handle Relocator Kit | eBay
This looks like what I had in mind. Can you leave the outside handle where it is as a dummy?

Doesn't look like much comes with the kit. Maybe not much is needed?
 
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Old Feb 25, 2015 | 03:36 PM
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Originally Posted by LeoJr
This looks like what I had pin mind. Can you leave the outside handle where it is as a dummy?

Doesn't look like much comes with the kit. Maybe not much is needed?
Well you re-use the handle for the inside - you could probably go to a JY and pick up another handle and chop off the linkage holders and get your desired effect.
 
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Old Feb 25, 2015 | 03:40 PM
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I agree with Krogoth on being able to do that for a dummy handle.
Plus it would be funny sitting back watching somebody walk up to the truck and try to drop the gate and can't. LOL
Trav
 
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Old Feb 25, 2015 | 03:44 PM
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Originally Posted by Redneckfordf2502002
I agree with Krogoth on being able to do that for a dummy handle.
Plus it would be funny sitting back watching somebody walk up to the truck and try to drop the gate and can't. LOL
Trav
Would be pretty good to keep a GoPro pointed backwards and tell people to open the gate - Youtube famous in a month, for sure.
 
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Old Feb 25, 2015 | 05:52 PM
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Originally Posted by MR KROGOTH
Well you re-use the handle for the inside - you could probably go to a JY and pick up another handle and chop off the linkage holders and get your desired effect.
That's what I'm thinking.
 
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Old Feb 25, 2015 | 11:11 PM
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I've actually considered the unit that installs under the handle. I had a wonky one that went over top of the handle and had to be removed to open the gate. It was ugly, a pain to use, and it marred up the paint a bit on my old truck. I won't go that route again.
 
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