Tailgate lock swap
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Snowboard season cometh..
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,406
Likes: 1
From: Gulf Coast of Florida
Tailgate lock swap
A few months ago, I got my hands on an '08 tailgate with step. I loved the look of the new tailgate, but 2 things bugged me:
1. My key wouldn't work the lock in the '08+ tailgate.
2. The handle for the step made it A)difficult to slide things in & out of the bed, B) would not allow things placed on the tailgate to sit flat, and C) was uncomfortable to sit on!
So, I finally got around to addressing these issues this morning. Overall it was incredibly easy. The access panel from my original 99 tailgate fit the 08 tailgate perfectly, just the bolts are a little "off", but I'll get to that.
Tools needed:
3/8" ratchet
3" or 6" 3/8" drive extension bar
T-30 3/8" drive torx bit
T-40 3/8" drive torx bit*
Large flat screwdriver*
Small 1/8" tall stack of newspaper*
* these items only needed if working on an 08+ tailgate with step & handle
Do this with the tailgate laying flat so that parts don't roll down in to the bottom of the tailgate and rattle around.
Here's the process:
1. Remove the access panel from the inner face of the tailgate using the T-30 torx bit
NOTE: With my tailgate I had some pressed-in plastic retainers that needed to be pried out (only for 08+ with step/handle!)
2. Remove the two 11mm bolts that attach the tailgate handle to the releasing mechanism.
3. Reach in and gently pull up on the releasing mechanism and tilt the handle down & out.
4. You can easily see the lock & it's retaining clip now. Pull out the clip & swap lock cores and then put the clip back in place.
NOTE: Handle shape differs between '99 through the '08s; removal is exactly the same.
5. Reinstall the handle!
To get rid of the handle for the '08+ tailgates that have it, you only need a T-40 torx bit, 3" or 6" extension & 3/8" ratchet. One bolt is all it takes. Obviously, this had to come off before removing the access panel.
Here's a pic of the bracket that the handle attaches to, with the attaching bolts circles in red. They are T-30 torx bolts.
Even after removing the bracket for the handle, there is a part that appears to be welded in place, as seen in the next pic:
The bolts that secure the access panel on an '08+ tailgate have a step or neck to them and have fine threads, as compared to the 'normal' coarse thread torx screws. Here's a pic comparing the two:
Here's how the '08 'neck' bolts look when installed with a standard access panel:
As you can see, I got rid of the stupid handle and my (rhino-lined) '99 panel drops right in place on the '08+ tailgate. I used to have an '88 F350 and I'd be that the access panel from that would bolt on to the '08+ with no problems either.
Total time: <30 minutes
Have fun y'all!!
1. My key wouldn't work the lock in the '08+ tailgate.
2. The handle for the step made it A)difficult to slide things in & out of the bed, B) would not allow things placed on the tailgate to sit flat, and C) was uncomfortable to sit on!
So, I finally got around to addressing these issues this morning. Overall it was incredibly easy. The access panel from my original 99 tailgate fit the 08 tailgate perfectly, just the bolts are a little "off", but I'll get to that.
Tools needed:
3/8" ratchet
3" or 6" 3/8" drive extension bar
T-30 3/8" drive torx bit
T-40 3/8" drive torx bit*
Large flat screwdriver*
Small 1/8" tall stack of newspaper*
* these items only needed if working on an 08+ tailgate with step & handle
Do this with the tailgate laying flat so that parts don't roll down in to the bottom of the tailgate and rattle around.
Here's the process:
1. Remove the access panel from the inner face of the tailgate using the T-30 torx bit
NOTE: With my tailgate I had some pressed-in plastic retainers that needed to be pried out (only for 08+ with step/handle!)
2. Remove the two 11mm bolts that attach the tailgate handle to the releasing mechanism.
3. Reach in and gently pull up on the releasing mechanism and tilt the handle down & out.
4. You can easily see the lock & it's retaining clip now. Pull out the clip & swap lock cores and then put the clip back in place.
NOTE: Handle shape differs between '99 through the '08s; removal is exactly the same.
5. Reinstall the handle!
To get rid of the handle for the '08+ tailgates that have it, you only need a T-40 torx bit, 3" or 6" extension & 3/8" ratchet. One bolt is all it takes. Obviously, this had to come off before removing the access panel.
Here's a pic of the bracket that the handle attaches to, with the attaching bolts circles in red. They are T-30 torx bolts.
Even after removing the bracket for the handle, there is a part that appears to be welded in place, as seen in the next pic:
The bolts that secure the access panel on an '08+ tailgate have a step or neck to them and have fine threads, as compared to the 'normal' coarse thread torx screws. Here's a pic comparing the two:
Here's how the '08 'neck' bolts look when installed with a standard access panel:
As you can see, I got rid of the stupid handle and my (rhino-lined) '99 panel drops right in place on the '08+ tailgate. I used to have an '88 F350 and I'd be that the access panel from that would bolt on to the '08+ with no problems either.
Total time: <30 minutes
Have fun y'all!!
Last edited by papadelogan; Dec 12, 2009 at 09:28 AM. Reason: added pics, etc.
Thread Starter
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Snowboard season cometh..
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,406
Likes: 1
From: Gulf Coast of Florida
Here's one from the summer when I first put the '08 tailgate on the truck:
Is that what you're looking for? Let me know if it's not and what you are looking for and I'll see if I can snap a pic for you in the next day or so; it's cold, rainy & crappy out right now
Is that what you're looking for? Let me know if it's not and what you are looking for and I'll see if I can snap a pic for you in the next day or so; it's cold, rainy & crappy out right now
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Thread Starter
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Snowboard season cometh..
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,406
Likes: 1
From: Gulf Coast of Florida
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