Tailgate Lock

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Apr 21, 2026 | 10:21 AM

flyboyike

Thread Starter

4wd Low

Joined: Dec 2022

Posts: 10

Likes: 6

Tailgate Lock

This may seem like a dumb question, but I am wondering if on a 2003 F350 Lariat, the tailgate lock is supposed to operate together with the power locks of the cab. I am asking because on my truck, there does not appear to be any kind of wiring harness going into the tailgate to activate any sort of a power lock. Moreover, the lock does not seem to work with the key either, so the tailgate is permanently unlocked. I am starting to suspect the tailgate might have been replaced at some point, or at least the handle was replaced. So, back to my actual question, is the tailgate lock supposed to be powered on these?

Apr 21, 2026 | 10:40 AM

ashleyroachclip

Laughing Gas

Joined: Oct 2007

Posts: 962

Likes: 104

Negative , the tail gate is not part of the power door locks .
as far as the tail gate not locking with the key ,how so ?
Does the key fit the lock ,turn in the lock ?

Apr 21, 2026 | 10:47 AM

flyboyike

Thread Starter

4wd Low

Joined: Dec 2022

Posts: 10

Likes: 6

Quote:

Originally Posted by ashleyroachclip

Negative , the tail gate is not part of the power door locks .
as far as the tail gate not locking with the key ,how so ?
Does the key fit the lock ,turn in the lock ?

The key fits the lock but does NOT turn it. Works on all the other locks which leads me to suspect something got replaced back there at some point. Thank you for the answer re: power function.

Apr 21, 2026 | 12:12 PM

2015 F-350

More Turbo

Joined: Jun 2024

Posts: 629

Likes: 189

From: Southeastern US

What year, truck are we talking about here?

Apr 21, 2026 | 01:56 PM

marksman76

Laughing Gas

Joined: Oct 2018

Posts: 1,006

Likes: 86

From: San Diego

I believe you can buy and add a tailgate lock, that you would then have to custom wire into your existing harness.

A locksmith should be able to key tailgate to your key.

Apr 21, 2026 | 04:24 PM

WWR

Cargo Master

Joined: Dec 2015

Posts: 2,920

Likes: 515

I'm in a similar boat with my '11

I apparently NEVER have time but have been meaning to see if there are "wafers" I can just remove from the tailgate lock cylinder. In that case any key would turn the lock, but how many thieves are going to try any old key? In my area, the answer is zero.

Apr 23, 2026 | 10:45 AM

Euroman

Senior User

Joined: Nov 2014

Posts: 1,777

Likes: 1,590

From: France

I had this with my truck. Buy a set of levers, I think I got mine from RockAuto, and you can swap them around. YouTube has some really good videos on it. I have small hands and old eyes but it wasn’t too bad doing it under a magnifying light. Took an hour or so. Try not to lose the springs on the floor…