How To Replace Tailgate Handle 1997-2005 Ford F150
Created on: 2010-06-08
With this video you can learn how to replace the tailgate handle on your 97-05 Ford F150. 1AAuto shows you how!
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step 1 :Removing the Tailgate Liner
- Remove six T30 Torx Screws from the liner
- Pull up on the pins at the bottom of the liner
- Pull the liner off
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step 2 :Removing the Tailgate Handle
- Remove the two 11mm nuts from the tailgate handle
- Pull the handle out by hand
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step 3 :Installing the New Tailgate Handle
- Pry the lock cylinder clip off the old handle with a flat blade screwdriver
- Remove the lock cylinder from the old handle
- Pry the lock cylinder clip off the new handle with a flat blade screwdriver
- Insert the lock cylinder into the new tailgate handle
- Insert the lock cylinder clip into the new tailgate handle
- Push the new handle into place
- Attach the handle to the latch mechanism
- Start the 10mm nuts by hand
- Tighten the 10mm nuts
- Test that the handle works
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step 4 :Reinstalling the Tailgate Liner
- Slide the liner into place
- Start the six T30 Torx screws by hand
- Push the liner clips into the Tailgate
- Tighten the six T30 Torx screws
Tools needed
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Socket Extensions
Flat Blade Screwdriver
Socket Driver
T30 Driver
Ratchet
11mm Wrench
11mm Socket
Brought to you by 1AAuto.com, your source for quality replacement parts and the best service on the Internet.
Hi, I'm Mike Green. I'm one of the owners of 1A Auto. I want to help you save time and money repairing or maintaining your vehicle. I'm going to use my 20-plus years experience restoring and repairing cars and trucks like this to show you the correct way to install parts from 1AAuto.com. The right parts installed correctly: that's going to save you time and money. Thank you and enjoy the video.
In this video, we'll be showing you how to replace the tail gate handle on this Explorer Sport Trac. This tail gate handle is used on the Sport Trac and it's also used on the full-sized pickups, so this video will show you generally how the handle is replaced, although some steps such as taking the panel off and stuff may differ if you have a different truck than this.
For this truck, the tools needed are a T30 Torx bit and an 11mm socket and ratchet or wrench. Okay so replace the tailgate handle, first you have to get to it. Some trucks it will be right there. This is a Sport Trac, so first I have to remove six T30 Torx screws and now I have to pull these pins at the bottom of the shield, this liner. Then you just grab on right near the pins and pull up. That's how you get the liner off. So I'm going to take the liner off now.
First, I'm going to remove these two 11mm nuts here. Put them in my tray. Then, the handle pretty much just pulls right out the back side.
So here's the new handle from 1A but you can see that the new handle from 1A is the exact same. Everything's going to bolt up the same. You would need to just use a screwdriver and pull this clip out, remove your lock and then pull the clip out, put your lock back in and push the clip back in. For installation, put it down and in and rotate it up. Get the pins, put the bolt up, put the latch mechanism on. Okay, just going to shake the handle a little bit, make sure it's seated in the tail gate and we'll tighten the bolts, snug, not using a lot of torque, just as tight as I can get it with this screwdriver style socket and then quick test and everything's working.
We've tightened those bolts up and again on the Sport Trac we're going to just take this piece and put it into place, just start a couple of these. Okay, I'm going to feel for the hole, make sure that the bolts are going down in before I press them. Make sure you find the hole first and then put our bolts on.
We hope this 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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