Anyone ever replace their entire tailgate handle and lock system? I need to replace mine (it is stuck locked) and am not sure how difficult of a job this is. Thanks!

 

I think there was a TSB on that for the 2002 F150's. My '02 supercrew had that problem too. Every now and then it would lock and I'd have to get the key & put it in the lock to reset things and it would work fine until about 10-12 uses later and I'd have to do it all over again. Do a search on tailgate handle or lock & see what you can turn up. I remember reading a few posts about it a year or two ago.

 

Mine screwed up like that too, it didnt actually lock, but it wouldnt open.
Take the panel off from the inside of the gate, and see if everything is moving correctly. You should be able to get the gate open this way also.
There are some clips that hold the latch rods, mine fell out of proper adjustment and wouldnt let the latch rods move far enough when lifting the handle. I just adjusted them and lubed everything really good. That was a couple years ago. All has been good since..

Sled...

 

Thanks for the quick responses, I did check the inside and found the the lock cylinder has fallen down in mine also. A few small adjustments and I was back in business. THANKS!