2002 Ranger tailgate handle
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2003
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2002 Ranger tailgate handle
OK, probably my fault for not doing proper lubrication maintenance, but now I have a tailgate that won't open since the plastic handle snapped. First, I guess I need to figure out how to remove the handle (Chilton's doesn't bother with that). Do I have to somehow get the gate open first? Second, has anyone bought an aftermarket handle? Not sure I really want to part with $43 to the dealer.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 513
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From: Zimmerman, MN
Wife broke the one on the truck a couple months ago. Cheap plastic handles.
I took a needle nose vise grips and was able to grasp the plastic piece and tuck on it from the outside to actuate the release. I had to do this since my tonneau cover was on. No way to get to the panel from inside the bed.
If you can get to the panel on the inside of the tailgate, it's 8 torx bit screws (IIRC). Not sure of the end are covered up or exposed with the gate up. Take those off and the panel at the top opens for simple access to the handle. Two nuts and the handle will come off.
I went out to eBay and purchased a metal handle:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/93-05...QQcmdZViewItem
Item #: 230137356838
I had to tweak it slightly to fit the actuator arms. I also took the plastic bit off to offer more hand room.
Do a search for Ford Ranger Tailgate handle. Many to choose from. Usually under 20 bucks with shipping as well.
Good luck to ya.
I took a needle nose vise grips and was able to grasp the plastic piece and tuck on it from the outside to actuate the release. I had to do this since my tonneau cover was on. No way to get to the panel from inside the bed.
If you can get to the panel on the inside of the tailgate, it's 8 torx bit screws (IIRC). Not sure of the end are covered up or exposed with the gate up. Take those off and the panel at the top opens for simple access to the handle. Two nuts and the handle will come off.
I went out to eBay and purchased a metal handle:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/93-05...QQcmdZViewItem
Item #: 230137356838
I had to tweak it slightly to fit the actuator arms. I also took the plastic bit off to offer more hand room.
Do a search for Ford Ranger Tailgate handle. Many to choose from. Usually under 20 bucks with shipping as well.
Good luck to ya.
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Joined: Feb 2003
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Thanks....will try ebay. Guess I'll be doing the plier thing as there is a bedliner on the gate. Not sure I can get to all the fasteners (until I look at it again, I sure hope that's how it is installed at the dealer). What kind of tweaking did you end up having to do?
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 513
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From: Zimmerman, MN
Had to shave a small amount of metal off one of the ends that actuates the levers inside. It was binding and would not allow the handle to return to original position with just the springs pulling on it. Nothing huge. Also removed the plastic cover on the handle as the replacement handle was not as big. Again, nothing huge. For less than 20 bucks, I couldn't complain. And it's metal. Won't break that one off again.
The bed liner on the back uses the same screws as the panel. Did on mine anyway. Just check to make sure you can get to all of the screws (8 as I recall). If the liner goes a bit further, just bow that cover a bit to make it slide out.
Good luck to ya.
The bed liner on the back uses the same screws as the panel. Did on mine anyway. Just check to make sure you can get to all of the screws (8 as I recall). If the liner goes a bit further, just bow that cover a bit to make it slide out.
Good luck to ya.
The Pacifier
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,245
Likes: 7
From: Cloverdale, BC
My father in law broke mine. Had to get it open with a screwdriver. Anyway, I installed a new one from a dealer for about $30, removed the torx screws in the back...
You might consider adjusting the latches so it opens easier. Mine was always hard to open before I replaced the handle, and after as well, until I adjusted the latches. Now it opens like it should, easy. It doesn't pop open with the slightest bump, but you don't have to reef on it either. With removing the panel, changing the handle and adjusting the latches, it took about a half hour.
You might consider adjusting the latches so it opens easier. Mine was always hard to open before I replaced the handle, and after as well, until I adjusted the latches. Now it opens like it should, easy. It doesn't pop open with the slightest bump, but you don't have to reef on it either. With removing the panel, changing the handle and adjusting the latches, it took about a half hour.
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Senior User
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Thanks for the suggestions. In addition to not lubricating any of the moving points, mine was as you mentioned, always difficult to open -- sometimes felt as though you had to stand on the bumper to get enough leverage to get the latches to release. You would think that would have been enough to get me to adjust it, but it always seemed like an annoyance when I was really trying to get to the project for which I hauled the stuff home.
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