[BamZipPow]

Not exactly sure when Toyota did it but they didn't make the tailgate handle in chrome fer the SR5 package fer the newer T-100 models...I'm guessing 1995-98. Go figure.

Luckily...I had a spare tailgate from a 1994 T-100 SR5 with the chrome handle. It was in good condition...not mint but didn't matter to me.

So a quick turn of the screw driver, popped the latching off, and I have the chrome one out. Luckily the bolts that held the handle to the gate were 10mm bolts so that was easy taking them off with a nut driver.

Unfortunately...on the 1998 T-100...they use #2 phillips head bolts instead. They stripped out almost immediately...so I had to break out the drill and drill bits. It's off in a few minutes with some cursing under my breath.

So now all my handles around the 1998 T-100 match up in chrome.

 

[Hartzog]

nice bam, what color is the spare tailgate??

and also, i am gonna haveta replace my tailgate handle as mine is in bad shape, its a pain in the ass to open the tailgate, lol

 

[BamZipPow]

It's a gray color. I've already ripped off the DX strip sticker...

Gonna have to drill the remnants of the bolt out so I can git some new bolts that will do better than the phillips head screws they put them on with...

 

[Hartzog]

lol, how do you get the adhesive off the tailgate? as in the gray automotive tape stuff that it leaves behind?

 

[BamZipPow]

It's called a heat gun when you start pulling it off...softens it up and it comes right off.

 

[Hartzog]

guess that will haveta wait til i get my license, get it to school, and have access to a heat gun, lol

 

[robiewp]

guess that will haveta wait til i get my license, get it to school, and have access to a heat gun, lol

Heat gun, AKA hair dryer. Ask your mom. Some claim there's a difference, but only if you don't have a big enough hair dryer.

Also, if you're going to paint it you can lightly torch it. You don't want so much heat that it causes the metal to warp, but I got my glued-on diamond plate tailgate cap off this way (was on the tailgate I bought).


And P.S. Bam... Someone asked me why my tailgate handle wasn't chrome - I figured it was because the tailgate I bought was off of a DX. NOW I KNOW THE TRUTH!!! Damn toyota...

 

[BamZipPow]

Someone asked me why my tailgate handle wasn't chrome - I figured it was because the tailgate I bought was off of a DX. NOW I KNOW THE TRUTH!!! Damn toyota...

Only if yer T-100 was the 1993-94 model. I think in 1995-98 all the models had the black tailgate handle...

 

[MoTown]

Inspiration...

BamZipPow,

Just want you to know that you are an inspiration to me! You are very knowledgeable about the T100's and I look forward to reading your entries. Congrats to you for your 'new' 98. Hope you have it purring smooth soon!

 

[BamZipPow]

I've found a few 1996 SR5 and 1998 SR5 T-100 models with the chrome tailgate handle. But the black ones outnumber the chrome ones by far. Not sure if those owners did the same thing by swapping in a chrome handle or it came that way from the dealership (requested by the buyer?) or not.

By the way...you do know how to slow down someone from just stealing yer tailgate since there isn't a lockable solution...no...not a gun or weapon but a simple $3 hose clamp on the right side of the pivot. Unless you remove yer tailgate a lot, you might even think about having the hose clamp tack-welded so it can't be easily taken off...

 

[BamZipPow]

A quick update to the anti-theft tailgate mod...piccies!