How to Replace Tailgate Handle 2002-08 Dodge Ram 1500

Brought to you by 1AAuto.com. Your source for quality replacement parts and the best service on the Internet. In this video we're going to replace the tailgate handle on this 2004 Dodge Ram, the same as any 02-08.

Tools you'll need are a T30 Torx driver and an 8 mm socket. You'll also need a ratchet and an extension. You'll want to start out by removing a series of T30 Torx screws. You can see here I start with a hand wrench, but I quickly go to the air tools, a little faster and whether or not you have a bed liner, you can see here mine has a bed liner. If yours doesn't have the bed liner, you'll be able to see these screws, no problem. After we do these last ones, then we'll remove the bed liner piece and then there's two more screws underneath and then the tailgate access panel comes off and you can just flip it out of the way.

Now looking down here at the handle these clips, there's a little tab right here that you pry out and then pull the clip up and then the rod pulls right out. The same thing over here. Pry out, pull up, pull the rod out. Two 8 mm bolts. Okay, we'll speed it up here again and you'll notice as I start loosening the second bolt I reach under and just hold the handle up. There is your handle. Original handle, new handle from 1A Auto. Commonly what happens is these plastic parts break and that's usually because you need to lubricate your mechanisms. I'll show you how you do that. Obviously my original one is still fine on this truck, so I'm not going to waste a new one on it and I'll re-install the original. Before you put it back together you just want to lubricate the pivoting parts. Then also your latches here. Just for your information I'm using a little bit of spray on white lithium grease.

Re-installation, reverse the procedure. Put your handle up in. Kind of press it up in and shake it back and forth a little bit. Put your mechanism in. Two 8 mm bolts and nuts. When you put these rods back in you want to pull, you pull just gently towards you, not much. Just enough to make sure that there's no slack. Same thing, pull gentle towards the center of the truck. I'm going to speed up the rest of the way through it. If you have a bed liner, you probably put two or three bolts in first and then put the bed liner over the top of it and then what you want to do is you want to start all your bolts and I kind of violate my own rule here. I tighten up those two and then realize that I can't get one of them in; because, I need pull the bed liner around. Basically start all of your bolts first and then tighten them up afterwards.

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