Drive In Theatre B-day

So the night before my daughter's bday or the morning of, as we stayed late, we had a party for her at the drive-in, it's still pretty awesome here in Cali. Got there early, great music on semi-large Bluetooth speaker-which you need for the drive-in, and perfect geographical position to let the kids sit on the blow up beds and blankets in the bed while the adults drink and talk in nearby cars/trucks. Set to watch the new MIB and Godzilla (my choice)... but... as I'm going to pull down tailgate so blow up bed can extend out, my martial art grip pulls the whole plastic handle piece away from tailgate...!
It didn't blow the night but didn't have the tools there to at least drop it down as the tailgate was stuck in the up position.
Now home, i've removed the tailgate handle but need the replacement part that works but doesn't cost OEM. I have tried the search engine but nothing notable.

Daughter and her friends still had great time but that tailgate, what are the chances...? Oh and putting basic Toyota tool kit in truck...

 

This is the one I used when mine broke.

$27 Tailgate Handle Assembly Replacement with Keyhole - Compatible with 2000-2006 Toyota Tundra - Tail Gate Handle Latch Textured Black - OEM 69090-0C030-C0, 69090-0C010, 80866, TO1915110

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01IHKE992?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

 

Me also, fits perfect!

PS And more importantly, way to be a Dad!

 

I'm a firm believer that fate gives us little hints here and there just before dropping a bomb on our heads. I'd take a little reminder to get a tool kit in my truck as a red flag yelling "get a tool kit in the truck".

 

Think I replaced mine with a Doorman about 7 years ago. I greased everything (all contact points) really well including the new handle and the attachment points/rods where they lock onto the bed posts.

Dry latch/pivot points caused the failure, which puts strain on the plastic handle, I believe if memory serves proper.

 

Same here, used a Dorman from Amazon to replace mine as well.

 

Somewhat off topic question. Does anyone know if the cables can be adjusted? One of my cables has slack so the other one is holding 100% of the weight. I'm not sure if I need to buy new cables or if there is an adjustment to be made.

 

Drive in on Van Buren?

 

They're actually solid steel rods that run to each side. If one has slack then it may have come out of the little plastic clip. Wouldn't really explain how you can still open the tailgate though.

Just grab you a T30 and take the access panel off the inside of the tailgate. There isnt a whole lot to these systems.

 

I'm sorry, I'm talking about the tailgate cables that hold it when you lower it.

 

Just re-read your post, I'm an idiot.

 

I read it that way as well.

Not sure those cables slack can be adjusted.

 

Make sure you have both the correct cables, the DC ones are a little longer so it's possible one was replaced with the wrong length.

 

If your tailgate is bent for whatever odd reason causing the slack on one side, try swapping the 2 cables - maybe that evens things out (or makes it worse, which would confirm that something is out of whack). If it is still the same amount of slack but just on the other side, you know the issue is with the cables.

 

We also like to go to the drive-in - great experience for the kids before that is also a thing of the past. Not many of them around anymore.

 

Martial art grip. Your joking, I hope.

 

He’d be no match to my Himalayan Yoga Death Grip training style. I proved it already by breaking my tailgate handle first 7 years ago.

 

Thanks, ordered and repaired, easily. Thanks! And, yes, the traveling tool kit is always there.