Tailgate handle lock

[dashhho]

I swore that I had seen one...10 years ago? My hunch is they never really worked and why they stopped making them. My tonneau cover locks underneath so you have to open the tailgate to release it.

 

[Dirtman]

They still make them. The company is called pop lock and no they aren't very good but they are enough to keep your basic scumbag walking around trying to see if things are open from getting in...

 

[dashhho]

Ahh thanks Dirtman. Looks like $75 for manual and $125 for powered version. Choices...

 

[sgtsandman]

I seem to remember seeing one on either amazon or carid. I think it was the style Dirtman mentioned.

 

[cbxer55]

I have one of them Pop N Locks on mine. Been on the truck near 20 years. Soft bed cover. Mine still works fine. Better than nothing.

 

[dashhho]

Their website doesnt vouch that it works for both ranger/b-series. I checked rockauto and they advertise similar tailgate handle part #'s for both b4000 and ranger so I think it will fit my Mazda.

I'd have to say this custom trim BS on Mazda's is frustrating - its mechanically the same as a ranger.....except it is trimmed uglier IMO. To be fair im sure ford did not want mazdas to look exactly like rangers and mazda probably didnt care enough to want to make custom pieces.

 

[Dirtman]

Yea it can be annoying. Ford and Mazda have some strange relationship. Rangers are made of alot of Mazda parts and Mazdas are basically Rangers but some stuff doesn't interchange between them.

I really don't think the tailgate handles are one of those things though, pretty sure they are the same on the B series as the Ranger in 98-2011

 

[dashhho]

Yea it can be annoying. Ford and Mazda have some strange relationship. Rangers are made of alot of Mazda parts and Mazdas are basically Rangers but some stuff doesn't interchange between them.

I really don't think the tailgate handles are one of those things though, pretty sure they are the same on the B series as the Ranger in 98-2011

I'll take the chance. Free returns!

I hate how my Mazda frontend (and rear end) looks. Ford's in this era look way less....old. I had thought about swapping ford body panels on my Mazda before I paint it. I'm not sure if the rad support is the same but if so I'd need a donor ranger with grille/good/front fenders/bumper. Anyone tried this?

 

[dashhho]

Actually on second thought maybe its not that simple. And just dumb.

 

[sgtsandman]

You would have to pretty much replace all the sheetmetal to get the Ranger panels to properly match up. Including swapping the cab.

It would probably be cheaper to just sell yours and buy a Ranger.