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This item is backed by our limited lifetime warranty. In the event that this item should fail due to manufacturing defects during intended use, we will replace the part free of charge. This warranty covers the cost of the part only.
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How To Replace Tailgate Handle 1997-2005 Ford F150
How to Replace Tailgate Handle 1997-2003 Ford F-150
How to Replace Tailgate Handle 1999-2007 Ford F250 Super Duty
How to Replace Tailgate Handle 1997-2003 Ford F-150
How to Replace Tailgate Handle 2001-2005 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
Created on:
Tools used
Socket Extensions
Flat Blade Screwdriver
Socket Driver
T30 Driver
Ratchet
11mm Wrench
11mm Socket
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
2. Removing the Tailgate Handle
Remove the two 11mm nuts from the tailgate handle
Pull the handle out by hand
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
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
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.
Tools used
Gloves
T30 Bit
10mm Socket
Ratchet
Safety Glasses
Pick
Tools used
Rust Penetrant
T30 Driver
White Grease
Ratchet
11mm Socket
1. Removing the Tailgate Panel
Remove the eight T30 Torx bolts from the tailgate panel
Lift the tailgate panel up and off
2. Removing the Tailgate Handle
Remove the two 11mm nuts from the tailgate handle
Pull the tailgate handle off of the tailgate latch
3. Preparing the New Tailgate Handle
Pry the retaining clip off the old tailgate handle lock with a flat blade screwdriver
Pull the tailgate handle lock out of the old tailgate handle
Push the lock into the new tailgate handle
Apply penetrating oil to the tailgate latch mechanism
Apply white grease to the tailgate latch mechanism
4. Installing the New Tailgate Handle
Push the new tailgate handle onto the latch mechanism
Fasten the two 11mm nuts onto the tailgate handle
Test the tailgate handle
5. Reinstalling the Tailgate Panel
Put the tailgate panel into place
Insert the eight T30 bolts into the tailgate panel
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 show you how to replace the tailgate handle on this '03 F250, same as any Super Duty truck from this era. A lot of times these handles will break, just because of bad latches or whatever. The only tools you'll need are a T30 Torx driver with a ratchet and you'll also need an 11mm socket with a ratchet, and then some penetrating oil and white grease to lube up the latches and stuff will also help.
Using a T30 Torx bit and a small ratchet, you want to remove eight Torx bolts that hold this panel. I'm going to hit fast forward here as I remove those bolts. Here's the back of your handle. There's two 11 bolts or nuts right here, remove those. You can see that latch mechanism came right up. I'm just pulling down from the bottom and flipping my handle out.
Here's our old handle, and new handle from 1A Auto. You can see it's exactly the same. You will want to transfer your lock over. Take a small screwdriver, work it right in there, and push out on the lock. You'll want to take that wire retainer all the way out and the lock comes out. You can leave the retainer in your new handle, just push the lock right in. You want to clean up this with some penetrating oil and put some white grease on it. Somebody's already done it previously so I'm not going to put a whole bunch more grease.
Now, the new handle goes right up in. Make sure that this part gets up above here and on. Start one of the nuts and the other one and adjust. Tighten them nice and firm. It doesn't have to be too tight. I'm going to fast forward through putting this panel back on. Start the screws individually by hand first, and then use your T30 Torx driver and ratchet. I mentioned it briefly, but while you have that panel off check all your mechanisms, use some penetrating oil or whatever to free them up. Make sure everything's free and use some white grease sprayed on there. Make sure all your latches and everything are nice and free.
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.
Tools used
Gloves
T30 Bit
10mm Socket
Ratchet
Safety Glasses
Pick
Tools used
Gloves
T30 Bit
Drill
Needle nose pliers
Trim Tool Set
11mm Socket
Pick
DHA64727
In Stock
Product Reviews
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4.78/ 5.027
27 reviews
5 Stars
4 Stars
3 Stars
2 Stars
1 Star
24
1
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Tailgate handle
Shawn
February 6, 2017
Ordered and sent out right away. It was the correct part and fit perfect. Very nice
Tailgate handle replacement
R
July 5, 2017
The new part fit perfectly and was easy to install.
The part was shipped and arrived when promised and seems to be as good or better quality than original.
With two tools and about 30 minutes of time I was done and on my way, even putting my lock insert in was easy.
Great Company to buy from
jim
July 30, 2017
The video was great and the customer representative was out standing. This is where I would parts for any vehicle I have!
Perfect Fit/Easy to Install
Philip
March 12, 2018
Fit my 98 F150 perfectly. Watching the YouTube video before hand made installation simple. Took around 15 minutes to install and lubricate the parts to get a nice smooth operation. Thanks 1A Auto!
Perfect fit - Video was very helpful - 30 minute job
Charlie
April 15, 2018
This part fit perfectly and was easy to install thanks to the video link that was provided. Shipping was very quick.
Perfect easy install
J
October 1, 2018
Swapped in easily- 1aautos how to video made things simple for a basic DIYer like me
Easy project, 15 minutes from start to finish.
Larry
October 28, 2018
Part came in good condition and with following the how to video replacing it was as easy as brushing your teeth. Already putting together my next order.
Super Easy
B
October 29, 2018
This product was super easy to install. It works great. It is the best $23.95 I have every spent!
tail gate handle
Jacob
October 29, 2018
easy to install, works good, fast shipping. price was good.
F-150 Tailgate handle
C
November 23, 2018
I searched all over town to find a handle for my tailgate. Could not purchase locally, so I turned to the internet. 1A Auto had it in stock for a reasonable price. Approx. 4 days later it showed up and I installed it. It was a perfect match. Will definitely shop with 1A Auto again if needed.
Perfect fit
D
January 6, 2019
Arrived sooner then expected in excellent condition and fit perfectly.
G
February 23, 2019
Best ever
time will tell
R
April 22, 2019
while installing the new handle one of the posts broke off while tightening, very cheap metal. just used the one from the old handle to finish. time will tell if the plastic will hold up.
perfect fit!
Sara
May 5, 2019
So glad we got a new handle for our Ford's tailgate. The new one arrived right on time, and was a snap to swap out. Thanks 1A Auto - you make it easy and affordable to keep our truck looking - and working - great!
Right out of the box!
G
July 1, 2019
A-1 has made it so easy :
1. Find what you need on their website
2. Watch the video on how to install it
3. Complete your order
4. When you get the product open the box and install it!
Done!
Easy to install, and it works.
Stephanie
September 29, 2019
It took me longer to get the bed liner and access cover off than to replace the handle.
Having a DEEP socket for the wrench helps.
F250 Tailgate handle
Aaron
August 4, 2020
It's plastic...They just don't make them like they use to.
Good fit
D
August 5, 2020
Very easy to install
Just Like New
Kirkwood
May 19, 2021
Replacement took 30 minutes and was no trouble
Easy to install, fit perfectly, works great
Jesse
August 21, 2021
Worked perfectly for 2002 F150. Found the lock mechanism on e-bay with a search of 'replacement OEM door locks f150'
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Alfredo
September 5, 2021
Excelente refaccin . Muy buena calidad gracias
Matthew
January 16, 2022
exactly what i ordered fits great
Great Price
Glen
January 21, 2022
Great price! Fast shipping!
Solid Product
Stew
July 27, 2022
Solid product. The tail gate on my 2001 F150 has not worked this well in literally years.
Tail Gate Handle.
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Ulises
August 12, 2022
Great Fit.
Angelo
January 30, 2023
It fits nicely and i don't have problems.
Works great
Jay
April 2, 2023
Works great
Customer Q&A
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Customer service
877-844-3393
Monday - Friday 8:00am - 9:30pm ET Saturday - Sunday 8:00am - 4:30pm ET
Ford is a registered trademark of Ford Motor Company. 1A Auto is not affiliated with or sponsored by Ford or Ford Motor Company.See all trademarks.
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