I broke my tailgate handle a couple of weeks ago and just got the parts to fix it. My question is do you remove the bezel first, then the rods that go out to the side, then unbolt handle assembly? I searched but couldn't find the order to remove parts. Thanks for any help.

That's correct! Removal = Bezel, rods, handle.

Install = handle, rods, bezel.

Thanks

must be a rash, I just did this to myself a few weeks ago, be careful removing the bucket they're brittle when they're old and you'll break off the lower tabs.

However just doing this on Good Friday

1. Remove the bucket
2. Remove the bolts on the inside of the tailgate to release the handle
3. Turn the green and red clips to remove the rods from the handle.
4. Reverse the steps to re-install the new handle.

be careful removing the bucket they're brittle when they're old and you'll break off the lower tabs.

Too late.........:rolleyes:

Too late.........:rolleyes:

Sadly, thats a VERY common thing. Dumb*ss design. IIRC, new bezels are around $10 on Ebay.

The bezels can be removed without breaking, but you have to be careful.
Put a putty knife or something similar between the bezel and gate on the top part of the bezel and push down carefully. Pull out while pushing down.
(hope that makes sense )
We take them off almost daily without breaking @ a body shop.