How to Replace Tailgate Handle 1993-97 Ford Ranger
Created on: 2011-10-17
How to repair, install, fix, change or replace a broken or snapped off tailgate handleon 1993-1997 Ford Ranger models.
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step 1 :Removing the Tailgate Handle
- Lower the tailgate
- Remove the eight Phillips head screws from the truck bed liner
- Use a hammer to push the screwdriver into the screw heads if necessary
- Pull off the bed liner
- Pull off the tailgate handle bracket
- Apply rust penetrant to the tailgate latch mechanism
- Remove the two 10mm nuts from the tailgate handle
- Pull off the tailgate handle from outside the tailgate
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step 2 :Installing the Tailgate Handle
- Put the new tailgate handle into place
- Start the two 10mm nuts onto the tailgate handle
- Raise the tailgate
- Adjust the tailgate handle as necessary
- Tighten the two 10mm nuts
- Remove the packing film from the handle
- Lower the tailgate
- Put the tailgate handle bracket into place
- Put the bed liner into place
- Start the eight Phillips screws into the bed liner
- Line up the bed liner as necessary
- Tighten the eight Phillips screws
Tools needed
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Hammer
Socket Extensions
Phillips Head Screwdriver
Rust Penetrant
10mm Socket
Ratchet
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Hi, I'm Mike from 1A Auto. I hope this how-to video helps you out, and next time you need parts for your vehicle, think of 1AAuto.com. Thanks.
In this video, we're going to show you tailgate handle replacement on this 1996 Ford Ranger, same as any '93 to '97 Ranger. Tools you'll need are a Phillips screwdriver, you might need a hammer as well as, you'll need a 10mm socket with a ratchet and extension.
See here, the handle on this truck is broken. To open it, you have to hold it a specific way to get the tailgate to come down. You'll want to remove a series of Phillips screws. First make sure you have a screwdriver with a good point on it, Phillips. I have the hammer, just in case, if you run in to one . this one is coming off easy . but if you were to run into one that didn't come off easy, what you can do is use the hammer, give a few taps. That sometimes helps in loosening it up. If it's really tough, you can actually use the hammer, put the screwdriver in, start twisting and tap at the same time that helps keep the screwdriver down in the screw and also helps loosen it up. It looks like mine are coming off pretty easy though. I'll fast forward here as I just remove those eight screws in all. Obviously this has a bed liner, yours may look a little different if you don't have the bed liner. Once you remove those, if you have a bed liner, now lift this up and off.
Now you can see there's a metal panel under here, just lift that up and put it right aside or put it in the bed for now. With that panel off, you can see what our handle does. It squeezes this mechanism together. What we're going to do is use some spray on penetrant and just oil the different parts to loosen everything up. Now, there are two 10mm nuts, one here and one right here. We'll remove those with a 10mm socket with a ratchet and the extension. Speed it up here again as I remove those two 10mm nuts. Now once your removed those nuts, the tailgate pull just comes right down and out.
Now you can see this part's broken right here. The new tailgate handle from 1A Auto has a nice finish with black. Obviously, the steel is not rusted and not broken. All you do is feed it right up in from the bottom, put it up in like that, and then rotate it until it goes into the holes. Just line up the studs and we'll start one of our nuts here. Fast forward a little bit, as all I'm doing here is actually getting those nuts started. I'm not tightening them up yet. Before we tighten it up, we'll lift it back up. There's really not a whole lot of adjustment but just make sure it looks straight enough for you. Tighten it up firm. Take the film off.
After hearing how bad those hinges were while I was editing this video, I made sure I put some grease on those hinges, but now just watch along. I put the plates back in place, use the screws, line them up a little bit, and then put the bed liner back in. I start all the screws first, get them all started, and then just go through and tighten them up.
We hope this video helps you out. Brought to you by www.1AAuto.com, your source for quality replacement parts and the best service on the Internet. Please feel free to call us toll-free, 888-844-3393. We're the company that's here for you on the Internet and in person.
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