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Tail gate latch handle

Discussion in '1st Gen Tundras (2000-2006)' started by Dsoshea1, Aug 21, 2021.

  1. Aug 21, 2021 at 6:25 PM
    #1
    Dsoshea1

    Dsoshea1 [OP] New Member

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    None yet
    Has anyone replaced there tailgate latch handle before, and where can I find one?
     
  2. Aug 21, 2021 at 7:42 PM
    #2
    Cummins3500

    Cummins3500 Never finishes.....

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    Buy the oem one from a dealer, it’s like $100. Trust me. I bought the stupid $27 dorman one. Thing opens on the third Pull
     
    Sampson likes this.
  3. Aug 21, 2021 at 7:43 PM
    #3
    NickB_01TRD

    NickB_01TRD You don't need less cars, just more driveway.

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    Mine came from Amazon but was included when I bought my truck from the PO. Just remove all torx screws around the inside cover for the tailgate then unhook the cables going to each latch, remove the two bolts that hold in the handle, and swap out the lock cylinders then do the opposite to install. Good time to lubricate anything that moves in there too.
     
    hammeron likes this.
  4. Aug 21, 2021 at 7:45 PM
    #4
    NickB_01TRD

    NickB_01TRD You don't need less cars, just more driveway.

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    You jumped ahead of me while I was typing lol. I used the cheap one. Think it was like $25 on Amazon when I looked it up. It came with the truck from PO. So far it's worked perfect for me everytime and it looks and feels like OEM just isn't busted up like my old one. Can't argue that OEM is probably better though.
     
  5. Aug 21, 2021 at 7:52 PM
    #5
    empty_lord

    empty_lord They see me rollin'

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    I’ve got an Amazon cheapo going 2 years strong.


    Anything dorman is trash. Even if it costs more that some other beand
     
    SouthPaw likes this.
  6. Aug 21, 2021 at 8:34 PM
    #6
    Teutonics

    Teutonics New Member

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    Coincidentally, I just did mine today. Easy job as described by NickB. I also used the cheap Amazon handle. While I had it apart I took out both side latches and replaced one that was damaged and the other was bent out of alignment (so I bent it back), and cleaned and lubricated both with DuPont dry film lubricant (this stuff is the bomb... I use it on everything: https://www.amazon.com/DuPont-D00110101-11OZ-Dupont-Lubricant/dp/B002HYXAOA). Now the tailgate takes almost no effort to open, and I have zero concern with breaking the cheap handle since it requires very little effort to open now.
     
  7. Aug 21, 2021 at 8:53 PM
    #7
    shifty`

    shifty` Is the Gila Copter a love machine?

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    Best thing you can do is replace the plastic connectors first, unless the handle broke off. The plastic snaps on the connector rods often fail. I'll post a thread on replacing those soon. Unless the handle broke off, I don't see a reason to replace.
     
    Siebler and empty_lord like this.
  8. Aug 21, 2021 at 9:26 PM
    #8
    NickB_01TRD

    NickB_01TRD You don't need less cars, just more driveway.

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    On mine the handle was busted up and in two pieces so I couldn't open the gate without wedging a screw driver in there. It most likely broke due to lack of lubrication as it was really hard to open. When replacing the handle I just lubed up everything.
     
  9. Aug 22, 2021 at 4:50 AM
    #9
    abcinv

    abcinv OEM (+) Junkie

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    I went OEM as the Limited are color keyed to the truck (all after market I saw were black). Then I stuck a camera in it -
    Tundra Tailgat Camera.jpg
     
    shifty` and NewImprovedRon like this.
  10. Aug 22, 2021 at 5:34 PM
    #10
    shifty`

    shifty` Is the Gila Copter a love machine?

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    Yup. I don't think many people treat lube in the tailgate as maintenance, but I've been screaming the same at folks. Good example here: https://www.tundras.com/threads/help-please.72456/#post-2158881

    That exact reply and the one following has some info. I need to get off my ass and do this writeup for tailgate connector replacements but overdid it after surgery last Tuesday and I'm regretting it today. Should've stayed on my ass.
     

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