are the chrome/metal tailgate handles stronger by design than the black plastic handles? i have a black platic handle on my pickup 85 shortbed, and i broke the internals of the handle so now the gate is stuck shut....

 

you can't unscrew the inside of the gate to get it open? Handle on my old 88 pickup broke, but i was still able to unscrew and open the inside to open it again. the replacement handle cost around $30 at stealer if i remember right.

 

yeah, i have already unscrewed the panel..... i see where everything works.. i jsut want to know if the chrome ones are any stronger internally then the platic ones? if they are not, is there a better solution? i wouldnt mind having the hooks liek the older toyota beds use, however, my friedn has a truck like that, and the hook actually has a hole in the bed and sticks out of that

 

If you know anybody that can fab you one that might work. My dad had a pretty beefy steel one made for his ford years ago.

 

Weren't you posting about tailgate nets a while ago?

 

ues i was... however it seems the conscensus on them is for cargo, they arent strong enough to handle anything... i would rather sacrifice gas mileage then get nailed with a liability suit if something fell out of my truck

 

I think the chrome handle may just be plastic chrome like the mirrors on my 88. When my handle broke I tore the assebly apart and soaked it in lithium grease, it opens smooth as glass now! What caused the handle to break off in the first place? To hard to pull up or did something hit it...

 

ahh i wish i had a friggin tail gate handle!

 

what happened on mine was that it had been sticking.... and i dont have hinges... well one day i forgot to close the gate after unloading... and drove around with it down..... well when i went to close it, i had to slam it hard becasue it was sticking..... from that point, it wouldnt open anymore..... then ii tore it apart and saw the handle was broken on the inside...

 

so is there a stronger alternative to the 20 year old plastic part? what about swapping one off a newer tacoma? will it fit?

also again, is the chrome one stronger than the black plastic? or are they the same and chrome is just painted on or what?

 

I think a brand new OEM part is your best bet. If your current handle lasted 20 years, the new one should too.

 

i might just get a new one from one of those companies on ebay... its $10 ... i know its not an NOS factory part.... but replica nos is probably fine too