If you have a bed-liner, remove it from the tailgate door.
Step 2: Loosen and remove the Phillips screws (4) that hold the upper tailgate plate to the frame.
Step 3: Disengage the locking rods from the tailgate handle.
Release the retaining clips and pull the rods from the handle.
Step 4: Loosen and the 10mm bolts (2) that hold the tailgate handle to the tailgate door.
Step 5: You can now remove the tailgate handle from the tailgate.
NOTE: If the bolts, which should be attached to the handle, remain with the tailgate door after removing the handle, use Vise Grips to remove them.
Step 6: Mount the new tailgate handle by tightening the 10mm bolts (2) that secure it to the tailgate.
Step 7: Re-engage the locking rods to the new tailgate handle.
Step 8: Tighten the Phillips screws (4) that secure the tailgate panel to the door frame.
Please Note
While we are more than happy to create these installation guides for your benefit, we cannot maintain any liability regarding the part, or the driving experience, once the part has been replaced/installed. We always guarantee the quality of the parts we provide, but the installation liability rests solely on the installer.
And, though we are always here to answer your questions, please note that our technicians created these guides for your convenience, and cannot provide assistance beyond this guide.
This article pertains to the following products sold on our website:
These Part Change / Installation Instructions Apply to
04 2004, 03 2003, 02 2002, 01 2001, 00 2000, 99 1999, 98 1998, 97 1997, 96 1996, 95 1995 Toyota Tacoma Rear Gate Handle Replacement Instructions
