Tailgate Handle Relocation

[mrsnicks]

It's an awful lot of money, but the piece at the top right of this page:

http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/fb/0023.html

has had my interest for several years. I want to put a fiberglass tonneau cover on the bed of my truck. Put without a way to lock the tailgate it would be rather pointless.... so, once I saw this as long as the tonneau has a lock it shouldn't be a problem, since you move the handle to the inside and there is no way to open the tailgate without opening the tonneau cover.

The only drawback is the price. Has anyone bought this, or done this relocation without this kit? I'm sure its just a matter of bending up some rod to work on the inside, and fabbing a new bracket attachment point on the inside. I do not have the necessary tools to do much metal fabrication, but I did get the instructions and template from lmc... it includes the template to drill and cut on the inside... it just did not include a picture of the rods, or of the metal piece to mount the bracket on the inside.

The outside fill piece should be no biggee....

Patrick

[trukcrazy]

I think Trevor did this on the CACWBY. Check with him. I am sure any of the truck mags will have an article on this as well.

[Big D's 69]

It would look good and it would be a lot of work. I would like to see one finished and a step by step on it. I have done it on a few other trucks and it was no big deal but I don't know about our trucks.

[68F250]

Why not put a lock on the existing handle? The PO did on my Camper Special and it's slick, keyed the same as the stowage compartment. I'll try to take some pics tonight.

You can barely see it here:
http://www.fordification.com/galleries/ ... 11&pos=-32

[mrsnicks]

Well show me some more pictures and gimme some destructions. It may be an option, but I do like the clean smooth look of a shaved/relocated tailgate.

Patrick

[68F250]

Ok, here it is. Looks pretty easy, all you have to do is drill a hole first for the lock and then cut a slit for the locking bar.

[mrsnicks]

That does look rather easy. Never would of thought of doing it that way. I will probably grab an extra handle outta the junk yard and do it that way until I decide on the relocation. <--- To be read, "Until I get the money to spend on the kit".

Patrick

[trukcrazy]

Hey Barry, that is pretty slick. If you want to relocate the handle inside, maybe something similar to an early ranchero. The handle is inside the bed, easy to get to with almost any load and shouldn't interfere with any load going in or out of the bed. It would require modifying the tailgate, but no more than any other relocation.

[Big D's 69]

That lock in the taligate handle is a pretty good idea and can be done for near nothing.

[rjewkes]

i have a spare lock for the doors wonder if i could have it repinned?

[DDfab]

On mine, I cut the outside of the bed and the inside of the bed around the handle and moved the outside piece to the inside. Flipped the handle over, then swapped the rods from side to side because of difference in length.
I then welded the holes closed in the cup the handle fits in.
Got a piece of 1/8in. by 3/4 flat. cut it to fit inside hole in outside of tailgate. drilled and welded a couple little nuts to it.
You will have to bend the flat stock inward because of the nuts clearence for the filler piece on outside.
Drilled two smaller holes in cup(piece that holds hardware), and mounted it up. still use the outside four retaining screws for cup. had to notch 3/4 flat for the screws to clear when fully installed. or could just trim screws down a little

here is a pic, not the best. i shot it with black rustoleum to helpwith the future rust. I have since cut a piece for the outside and welded it in and smoothed it out.

hope this helps, i will get some more pics, just finished roll pan also

[mrsnicks]

More pictures of finished product please.

Patrick