Removing the Tailgate Cable

• Open the tailgate halfway down. Hold the tailgate against your body at the halfway position to ease the tension on the cable. The cable is bolted to the tailgate with a hex bolt. You will need a hex socket to unbolt the cable off the tailgate. The other end of the cable has a bracket that can be slid and pulled off the back of the truck. Depending on the truck, there may be a tab that has to be pulled up to unlock the bracket so it can slide off. You can remove the other end of the tailgate cable with the same procedure.
  
  

Installing the Tailgate Cable

• Replace the tailgate cable by bolting in the tailgate end first. Use your hex socket to tighten the cable on to the tailgate. Lift and hold the tailgate halfway up to ease the tension off the cable. Hold the locking tab back with your fingers and slide it over the peg. The tab will lock and this will prevent the cable from slipping off when you open the tailgate. Open and close the tailgate to ensure the cable is flexible enough to allow the tailgate to rest flat when opened.
  
  

Tailgate Cable Locks

• Removing a tailgate is as easy as removing the cables that support it. You can purchase different locks to prevent the theft of your tailgate. The Gate Keeper is a lock that you apply to the pivot point at the base of the tailgate. This lock takes five minutes to install but it will provide peace of mind. Once the Gate Keeper is installed the tailgate will open as normal but with the pivot restricted the tailgate cannot pull out of the pivot hole. The lock can only be removed by a special tool.