Longarms

My tailgate is a bit chipped, and it's caved in around the handle. I dono what the last guy did to it..

So I'm considering getting the paint touched up and maybe the dent taken out, or getting a new tailgate. If I get a new tailgate, is it going to be a pain in the *** to swap the handles out to keep the lock?

kozal01

iTrader: (2)

No its pretty easy to do. Take the access panel off of the backside of the tailgate and it will uncover the mounting bolts and linkages that you need to remove.

05 4x4 Triton

Do you have a spray in liner?

bossman15

Even with a spray in liner the bolts are exposed. Pretty easy just study how the spring is setup before u take it apart. Not difficult.

05 4x4 Triton

I have a spray in liner and mine got painted over

bossman15

Damn I'd be pissed. You could probably just shear the bolts off with a grinding wheel and and pull the handle out. Shouldn't matter if he's swapping tailgates.

Mudshark

Fixed it for you lol. Some shops likely don't take pride in their workmanship and just spray over the bolts. It saves them that precious 30 seconds that the owner has to live with for years....

bossman15

Yeah that's ridiculous.

Longarms

Luckily I herculiner'd, and I do take pride in my work, so I have exposed bolts. So no surprises then? Just pop that off and I should be able to figure it out? Nice. I'd need to buy another quart of the black chunky stuff I guess.

Thanks!