Tailgate removal when it breaks?
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Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 6,777
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From: Kalispell, MT
Tailgate removal when it breaks?
88 F250. How do you get the tailgate off when the latch handle breaks? The driver side potmetal lever broke inside the gate. It has a bed liner covering the inside of the gate and an aluminum gate protector on the top edge that holds the liner in place.
I can't figure how to trip the latch to get the gate open. Probably easy, but........................
I'd appreciate any info.
I can't figure how to trip the latch to get the gate open. Probably easy, but........................
I'd appreciate any info.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 108
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From: Ohio
I have always been able to use a long skinny flathead screwdriver and to manually release the latch on each side of the tailgate. You can either put it through the hole on top where to tailgate and the top of the rear fender meet, or you can stick it in at an angle straight to the latch. If you are worried about scratching the paint, this wouldn't be a good idea.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 6,777
Likes: 553
From: Kalispell, MT
Thanks, I'm not worried about scratching paint. I'm not sure that will work - does this gate have the spring-loaded bolt latch (which I'd open the way you describe) or a bear claw latch?
At the moment it's out hauling firewood. I'll look closer when it gets back.
At the moment it's out hauling firewood. I'll look closer when it gets back.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: N. Gwinnett Co. Georgia
If you can have a friend, once you insert the screwdriver and release the throw bolt on one end, they can keep tension on the gate and you can go to the other end to release. By the way can you get a needle nose type vise grip on the remaining part of the release latch, can work sometimes.
Tex
Tex
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From: New Jersey
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Sorry, for the long haul you have to get rid of the bedliner, take off the inspection plate and throw them away. Then you can reach in there like I do and trip the rods with one hand. Oh, and I took one latch off so I only have to trip the one side. This is a daily user, I haul mail with it and have to open the tailgate many times a day. The only problem is when I haul hay the tailgate gets full of chaff, I take the air hose and blow it out.
Da*n Fords anyway.
Da*n Fords anyway.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 6,777
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From: Kalispell, MT
Thanks guys! I owe you one. Sure helps to know what I'm up against. I was hoping there was an access panel under the plastic bed liner 'cause you can't get much along side the handle.
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2004
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Sorrry I re-read your post I thought you already taken off the plastic liner off the tailgate, if you havent take it off you'll see the access panel you will have to unscrew about a dozen or so screws then you'll be able access the rods I told about in my post above, you can just leave the panel off till you replace the handle , thats what i did with mine=good luck!
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: hebron, ct
I hope you didn't use a sledge hammer yet. I just replaced a latch handle with a brand new chrome one from a dealer, about 20.00 if I recall correctly. Sinch to replace and beats putting up with having to monkey the latch every time you have to open the tailgate.