I have a recently acquired 1998 F150 styleside with missing a tailgate. I found a nice replacement tailgate in a local junkyard; however, it is locked with no key. Any advice on the best way to get it unlocked so I can remove the tailgate? Should I just try drilling out the tailgate lock or driving a chisel into the tailgate lock or is there a better way? It also has a heavy plastic liner on the inside of the tailgate which I am not sure can be easily removed with the tailgate locked to gain access to the front side the tailgate.

 

Can you get to the inside of the bed? If you can, there is a series of screws on the tailgate you need to take out, then the metal sheet comes off, and I think you can unlock it that way.

 

I agree. Then you use the exsisting lock on the replacement tailgate and re-key the tumbler to match your key.

(bit of work but better than damaging the tumbler or denting the tailgate)

 

Also look around the truck, the guy might have hid a key. I have two different keys in case I lock myself out, so if he has one on the truck, that would be great lol.

 

How about use a reciprocating saw and cut the latch post?
Get a shorter blade and just cut it between the gap of the tailgate and bed.

I think the end screws of the access panel are blocked by the bed.

 

maybe a lock smith? Or punch the lock out instead of damaging the tailgate that you just bought

 

Don't know anything about this gen but if you remove all the bolts from the access cover maybe that'll be enough to pry open the middle of it to get a hand in and unlock it.
Also, not sure if the latch pin is bolted all the way through the sheet metal but if you break off the tail lamp maybe you can hammer/chisel the latch pin free form the other side?
I like the sawzall idea, just make sure you protect the edge of the tailgate before hand.

 

Update: Re-read your post and saw its for a '98. The below is based off my experience with the '09-current F series.


You will need the correct screw driver to remove the heavy duty liner. IIRC, it is a star styled screw head.

1) Remove the screws holding the liner to the tailgate (should be at least 6x screws)
2) Pry the bedliner off
3) A metal sheet (part of tailgate) will fall off giving access to the interior of the tailgate
4) The locking mechcanism (depending on year) will have a piece that rotates out of the way and "disengages" the handle from working. Either manually rotate this piece "unlocking" the tailgate, or manually manipulate the cable system to drop the gate.


It sounds complicated but it really is not once you get the liner off. Now if you needed to replace the tailgate emblem... that another beast I have yet to figure out...

 

Just did it with my truck, take off the access panel, and fumble around with it, it helps if you know which way it locks lol, but I was able to lock and unlock the tailgate that way. You might bring a pair of vise grips and some WD-40 in case the rods of rusty or it seized in the lock position or somthing.

 

Concurring with all the above. Once you have that panel inside off, it's very easy to switch from locked to unlocked without changing the key. There's a big paddle that flips up and down when it's locked or unlocked, that is the only change. That is not limited by the key position, only pushed up and down when you lock or unlock. That's how the Pop-n-lock and similar kits work - they just push that around, no need to use the key.