How To Replace Tailgate Linkage Rods Ford 1992-96 F-150 F-250 F-350

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Hi, I'm Mike from 1A Auto. I hope this how-to video helps you out, and next time you need parts for your vehicle, think of 1AAuto.com. Thanks.

In this video, we're going to show you how to replace the tailgate handle and latch connecting rods on this '96 Ford F150, pretty much the same for any '87 to '96 F150, 250, or 350 and a very similar procedure for pretty much almost any Ford truck that uses this style of rod. The tools you'll need are a Phillips screw driver. There's a couple of stars there because I use a Phillips screw driver on this truck due to the fact that it has a bed liner and that's the screws they use. This could differ if you have a different type of bed liner. You'll need T30 and T45 Torx bits with ratchets, flat blade screw driver, pliers, and some penetrating oil and white grease to lube up the mechanisms when you're done.

Start by opening your tailgate, if you can. If your handle and mechanism is broken in a way that the tailgate won't open, that's okay. You can just do these steps from the inside. This truck has a bed liner on it, so I'm using a Phillips screw driver to remove the screws that are holding the bed liner to the tailgate. Some of these screws could be on there quite tough so you can see me bearing down quite a bit on some of them. Once I get those off, I slip the bed liner off, and then there are four Torx screws still holding the access panel onto the bed. If you don't have a bed liner, you'll simply just have more of these screws holding the access panel on. Those screws are T30 Torx head screws. You'll need and I'd recommend a T30 Torx bit that you can put on to a ratchet handle.

If you were unable to get your tailgate down before, once you have the access panel off, you can either squeeze the mechanism or pull on each individual rod. Pull each rod in towards the center of the truck and that should release your tailgate. Once you have that panel off, see right back here is the back of your handle, these yellow clips. I'm just going to show you one side, but obviously you'd want to undo them both with a flat blade screw driver. Just pry right up underneath. Then lift the rod right up and out. Now take a pair of pliers. It's just a little clip here. Squeeze the clip. Then push it down through the hole. Do that again. Squeeze both sides of the clip. Push it down a little bit, down through the hole.

Now the rod is connected here, so you'll need to remove these two T45 bolts. I've got a T45 Torx driver. You want to be careful as you're removing this one because it holds the tailgate cable. Make sure your other tailgate cable is in good order or you're supporting the tailgate. If you take the tailgate cable off and the other one is broken or something, your tailgate can fall and get dented. Get your cable off. Pull this clip out. Then the rod just twists right out and comes off.

My rod is in fine shape, so I'm just going to reinstall it. To install the new one from 1A Auto, put it in, twist it around. Put this rod in. Make sure that as you're putting the rod in, you get it in this area. Make sure it doesn't go down in behind there. Guide the rod from the back side. Pull it right in. Start that. Start that. Make sure, as you're tightening this up, that your tailgate cable is nice and loose. Then after you tighten it, the tailgate cable should be nice and free. Now this little clip that goes in here, just spread out. Clip it on to your rod and then, lifting up the yellow clip over here, put the rod in place. Then I'll get this clip here in place first and pull it up through. That clip is in place. Then I want to just pull on the rod a little bit. Just put some tension on it and then push it down into its place. Then lock the yellow clips down. You need this screwdriver. Make sure it clips on there correctly. It would be a good idea while you're in here and have this opened up to take some penetrating oil, spray all your mechanisms. Then follow this up with a good coat of white grease. I'll speed up here again as I put the access plate back on.

Again, my truck has a bed liner, so I put it on. Put the four T30 Torx screws in first. Tighten those up. Then slip the bed liner cover over it and put the Phillips screws in and again, depending on your bed liner, some of this hardware may be a little bit different, but it should be basically the same, the same idea.

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How To Replace Tailgate Linkage Rods Ford 1992-96 F-150 F-250 F-350

step 1 :Removing the Bed Liner

step 2 :Removing the Tailgate Latch Rod

step 3 :Installing the Tailgate Latch Rod

step 4 :Installing the Bed Liner

Tools needed

How to Replace Tailgate Handle 1997-2004 Chevy S10 Pickup

How To Replace Tailgate Linkage Rods Ford 1992-96 F-150 F-250 F-350

step 1 :Removing the Bed Liner 1:01

step 2 :Removing the Tailgate Latch Rod 1:34

step 3 :Installing the Tailgate Latch Rod 4:24

step 4 :Installing the Bed Liner 7:02

Tools needed

How to Replace Tailgate Handle 1997-2004 Chevy S10 Pickup

step 1 :Removing the Bed Liner

step 2 :Removing the Tailgate Latch Rod

step 3 :Installing the Tailgate Latch Rod

step 4 :Installing the Bed Liner