does anyone know how to get the handle and bezel off of the tailgate on a 3rd Gen?

and what does it involve?

thanks alot!

 

Not completely sure but after you remove the panel inside the tailgate there should be some clips in there to dissassemble it. I had my panel off a while back to fix a dent by the bezel (my stupid mistake ) but did not look too close at how to remove it. I was able to fix the dent without removing it.

Just a word of advise: Make sure tailgate is FULLY closed before pulling a trailer. Mine came open and hit the handle of the trailer jack!!

 

ouch........!!!

the only thing is that I have a bedliner in the truck and it would kinda suck to have to pull it off the bolts to get the panel off! maybe there is another way (crossing fingers).....

 

Nope thats the only way. Once the panel is off then there a 2 rod to take off and two nuts to remove.

 

dang it......that sux!

oh well, maybe when I pull it off I can fix a small ding I got in the tailgate.

 

Not sure how they did your liner, but on mine, the guys at Line-X removed the bolts to ensure that I could get the panel unbolted and off when needed without damaging the liner.

If it's a Line-X liner, they warranty it for life, so if it gets damaged when you remove the panel, just take it in for a quick repair. I've had a liner repaired (gouge) and I couldn't tell where it had been damaged after the repair.

Good luck.

 

Take a razor knife and run it around the outside of that panel at an angle, tilt the blade away from the panel. You should be able to get a decent cut around the panel where you can remove and replace it with little damage. If not, at least you know you will be able to get it back off later when another ding shows up.