2002 Ford Ranger Exterior Tailgate Handle Broken

Look under the handle inside of the tailgate and you should find two metal rods that go out to each latch. Squeeze them both towards the center at the same time.

this will show you how How To Install Replace Tailgate Handle Ford Ranger 98 10 1AAuto com

should be able to pull the rod after removing the handle or utilise a scredriver from inside the bed to release locking ******.

I had the same problem with my 02 Sequoia. To get the tailgate open and replace the broken handle you will have to remove the tailgate's panel cover.

The panel is affixed to the tailgate with about six to eight plastic stays on the back side of the panel.

You will need a "L"-shaped tool (The tool looks like a screw driver with its tip bent one-to-two inches.) that can be inserted under the panel's edge. Start @ the right, or left bottom corner.

After you pull the panel's second plastic stay away from the tailgate you will be able to use your hand to pull the rest of the stays away from the tailgate then push up on the panel to remove it.

After the panel is removed you will be able to see where the cable feeds into the broken handle. Use a pair of needle-nose pliers to pull the cable and open the tailgate. Toyota charges $100.00 for a new handle.

Hope this helps and is not to confusing.

YES I THINK IF YOU LOWER TAILGATE YOU WILL SEE BOLTS REMOVE AND TAILGATE RELEASE HANDLE WILL COME OUT TWO PLASTIC CLIPS HOLD RODS ON LEVER REMOVE FOR EASE OF ACCESS TAKE OFF BEZEL INSTALL NEW AND RE-INSTALL HANDLE JOB WELL DONE NO PROBLEM

The door handle might be broken, you need a new part. I got mine online for $40. keywords: 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 Toyota Sequoia Metal Lift Gate Exterior Door Handle for Rear Outside Van Tailgate Handle. You need to remove the back door panel to replace this.

Joe, your probably right and the handle is broken, the rest of the mechanism maybe just fine, you should see an access panel that can be removed so you can undo the broken handle and replace it. Hope this helps, let me know

We have the same problem, remove the panel on inside tailgate and you will find the handle broken, it is made out of pot metal. You need new handle from dealer or salvage yard.

Mine just did the exact same thing. The latch may be moving freely because it is not hooked to the latching mechanism anymore. In my case, the handle had broken where the handle hooks to the rod that operates the mechanism. Go to the Ford dealer and buy a new handle. Here in S.C. it was $24. You can't get this at the parts houses. Start by removing the plastic "Ford" cover that is over the liscense plate lights. You then have to remove the aluminum rivets that hold the handle to the tailgate from the outside and remove the broken latch. Remove the pull handle loop on the interior side of the tailgate (2 screws), unsnap the inside plastic tailgate interior panel, and pull down the black plastic sheeting that is underneath the panel to make access to the mechanism inside of the tailgate. There is also a hard plastic cover that you will see that needs to be pulled loose to open another access hole. Install the new tailgate latch handle by sliding back into the mounting holes and attach with two 10-32 screws and nuts. The new handle will come with a new yellow rod attachment piece on the handle. You will see inside of the tailgate a small rod hanging down, most likeky it will have the same rod attachment piece as the one on the new handle. Note the position of the yellow piece on the rod, as you will connect the new piece in the same place. Once the rod is hooked up, relubricate the metal mechanism with a light machine oil, replace the black plastic cover, replace the black plastic sheeting, (secure with a small amount of duct tape), replace the tailgate interior panel, replace the pull handle loop, shut tailgate, replace "Ford" cover over lights, and you're done!

Access through the panel on the "inside."