If you've already been driving your truck for a whilst, there's a great opportunity your 2000 toyota tundra tailgate handle has began feeling a little shed, or worse, it's snapped off entirely. It always appears to happen at most inconvenient time—usually when you're standing in the rain with a number of groceries or even looking to load up a dirt bike. That sudden "pop" followed by a handle that just flops around without having actually opening everything is a rite of passage regarding first-gen Tundra owners.
The reality is that these vehicles were built such as tanks, but the plastic components inside the tailgate assembly weren't exactly designed to last forever. After two decades associated with sun exposure, icing winters, and hundreds of pulls, that will plastic gets brittle. Honestly, it's amazing many of them lasted this long. If yours finally gave up the cat, don't worry. It's one of those repairs that will looks intimidating yet is really a pretty simple Saturday morning project.
Why These types of Handles Tend in order to Give Out
The original equipment manufacturer (OEM) handle on the 2000 Tundra is mostly plastic. Within the tailgate, there's a mechanism exactly where the handle drags on two metallic rods that release the latches on either side. With time, the plastic turns points or the particular clips holding all those rods together just can't take the pressure anymore.
One of the biggest culprits is definitely actually an absence of lubrication. People rarely consider greasing their tailgate latches. When the latches get dry plus dusty, they need more force in order to move. You pull harder around the handle to compensate, plus boom—you've got a broken piece of plastic in your hand. Temperature performs a big role too. If a person live somewhere along with harsh winters, that plastic becomes also more fragile. One particular firm tug on a frosty morning is often all it will take to end its career.
Choosing the Right Replacement Handle
When you start searching for a brand-new 2000 toyota tundra tailgate handle , you're going to get a lot of choices. You generally have got 2 different ways to go: OEM or aftermarket.
In the event that you're a purist, you might want to stay with the Toyota genuine component. It'll fit properly, and the finish off will match your trim. However, you're still putting the plastic part back to a high-stress place. This is why a lot of Tundra owners gravitate toward the metal aftermarket replacements. Generally there are several companies that make heavy duty zinc or light weight aluminum versions of this handle. They look identical externally but feel much more solid when you use them. Plus, they aren't much more expensive compared to plastic material ones.
You'll also need in order to decide on the finish off. Most 2000 Tundras came with a textured black handle, but some higher trims had easy paint-matched or chrome finishes. If a person don't worry about the particular look, the standard black one will be the easiest to get and usually the least expensive.
Tools You'll Need for the particular Job
You don't require an enormous rolling tool upper body to get this particular done. In fact, you probably have everything you need in a simple household toolkit. Here's the short checklist: * A Phillips head screwdriver (a long one helps). * A 10mm socket and ratchet. * A flathead screwdriver or even a cut removal tool. * A bit associated with white lithium oil or some type of spray lubrication. * Maybe several needle-nose pliers.
It's a great idea to have a small magnet or a tray nearby to hold your screws. There aren't many, however they have a marvelous way of disappearing directly into the grass or even rolling underneath the car tire just when you really need them.
Getting the Tailgate Open
The trickiest a part of replacing a broken 2000 toyota tundra tailgate handle is definitely getting the tailgate open when the particular handle is currently broken. If you're lucky, it shattered while it was already open. If not really, you've got to do a little surgery.
You'll have to hop in to the bed of the truck. For those who have a bedliner, you'll likely need in order to remove the screws holding the top panel associated with the liner to the tailgate. Once that's out associated with the way, you'll see an access plate held upon by several Phillips head screws. Take that plate off, and you'll see the internal guts from the tailgate. Look regarding both metal supports extending to the sides. You can generally pull these towards the center associated with the tailgate simply by hand (or with pliers) to personally trigger the latches. The tailgate ought to drop right down.
Step-by-Step Replacement
Once the tailgate is down and the access panel will be off, the process is pretty logical. You'll see the back associated with the handle set up. It's usually held in by two 10mm bolts.
Removing the particular Old Handle
First, you require to disconnect the metal rods from the handle. These are held in place by small plastic clips—usually one is definitely pink and something is green. You simply have in order to flip the clip off the pole and then pull the rod out there of the hole. Be careful here; if those videos aren't broken however, you might like to save all of them as spares, although your new handle ought to come with its very own.
Next, unscrew the two 10mm bolts. With the bolts out, the particular handle assembly need to just slide away of the front side of the tailgate. A person might have in order to wiggle it a little if there's plenty of dirt and grime built up about the edges.
Installing the newest Handle
Before you slide the new handle in, it's a lot of fun to do several cleaning. Wipe lower the area in which the handle sits and perhaps give it the quick wax when you're feeling nice. Slide the new handle into place through the outside.
Return inside the particular tailgate and hand-thread those 10mm bolts. Don't crank them down by having an impact driver; you simply want them snug. If you over-tighten all of them, you risk breaking the new plastic material housing or burning the threads.
Reconnecting the Rods
Right now, take your grease and apply a little bit of bit to the particular ends of the particular metal rods plus the latch mechanisms on the edges from the tailgate. This makes the whole system move much smoother and takes the particular stress out of your brand-new handle.
Snap the supports back into the brand new clips on the particular handle. Make sure the clips are usually fully "locked" on the rods. Before you put the access section back on, test the particular handle several periods . This might sound apparent, but you really don't want to screw everything back again together only in order to find out among the rods popped free because the cut wasn't seated right.
Making the particular New Handle Last
Once every thing is back jointly, you'll notice just how much better it seems. To keep it that method, try to get into the habit of being a little "gentle" with it. Rather than just yanking on the particular handle, give the tailgate a small push inward with your additional hand while you draw the lever. This relieves the pressure on the latches and makes the handle's job a lot easier.
Also, once the year approximately, it's worth spraying the little bit associated with lubricant in to the part latches. If individuals stay moving freely, your 2000 toyota tundra tailgate handle will likely outlast the rest of the truck.
Final Thoughts
Replacing a tailgate handle any associated with those small victories that makes an old truck sense new again. It's a low-cost, high-reward DIY project that will saves you a hundred bucks in store labor. Plus, there's a certain satisfaction in knowing you won't have to struggle every time you need to make use of the bed of the Tundra. Whether a person went with the cheap plastic alternative or perhaps a beefy steel upgrade, you've effectively checked off a single of the nearly all common maintenance products for this legendary pickup truck. Now, go obtain that truck back again to work!