Anyone here with w/ shaved tail gate handle?

NoelsMyKuya · Mar 21, 2012

I'm planning to shave my tail gate handle, but haven't come up with a solution to opening and closing without any hassle. No company out there has made one for the 05+ tacoma/x-runner models. Someone on CT said something about solenoids but I have no clue where to start. Maybe a stereo shop would know? Well the truck is at the shop and they're shaving a few things: antenna, squirters, 3rd brake light, bumper license holes, and Grant Kustoms roll pan molded with the body. I still have a couple weeks to decide wether I should get it shaved or not, so hopefully someone can chime in and help me out here.

Detective_Dan · Mar 21, 2012

you can take the handle off the tailgate and reverse it so that the handle is on the inside of the tailgate. the inside mechanism will still work the same with it reversed

hottacoX · Mar 21, 2012

A few people have done it like mentioned above you can flip the tailgate handle to the inside and the mechanism works the same. Just have to cut a hole in the tailgate liner and mount the handle.... Probably the easiest part of shaving the handle

Detective_Dan · Mar 21, 2012

i know this is not a tacoma but you should be able to get the idea...

SDXR619 · Mar 21, 2012

Doesn't Sir Michaels make a tailgate handle flip kit.? At least they did on the previous generation.

bigdreams · Mar 21, 2012

I had that done to my '06 Tacoma that I had before my X. Like it's been said before, the handle flip was the easiest part of the shave. The welding and body work that's needed afterward is fairly difficult. I'd even go as far as saying it was a PITA! Good luck with it.

I really wish I had pics of my old truck. I had a shaved antenna too.

Night · Mar 21, 2012

Someone I now did a flush set-up for their x. It was far enough up they would could open/close the tailgate with one hand. I will see if I can get some pictures. But for sure the body work is the hardest part.

hottacoX · Mar 21, 2012

I know for sure generationx has it done

xrgilly · Mar 21, 2012

i know of one thats in the process

NoelsMyKuya · Mar 22, 2012

SDXR619 said:
Doesn't Sir Michaels make a tailgate handle flip kit.? At least they did on the previous generation.

I tried google searching their website but it keeps directing me to some domain website. If grant kustoms doesn't carry it I don't think sir michaels would either.

bigdreams said:
I had that done to my '06 Tacoma that I had before my X. Like it's been said before, the handle flip was the easiest part of the shave. The welding and body work that's needed afterward is fairly difficult. I'd even go as far as saying it was a PITA! Good luck with it.

I really wish I had pics of my old truck. I had a shaved antenna too.

Hey big, you got any pics of your old 06? I actually have a body shop doing all the work but most of the workers don't speak good english, so I would need something visual for them to get started with. If anything I might just remove the inner liner and mess with it myself.

Night said:
Someone I now did a flush set-up for their x. It was far enough up they would could open/close the tailgate with one hand. I will see if I can get some pictures. But for sure the body work is the hardest part.

Yes please post up pics if you can, that would help me a lot. Thanks bro!

hottacoX said:
I know for sure generationx has it done

I'll see if I can pm him and maybe he can shed some light in this. I still have a few weeks before it gets painted so I have some time.

hottacoX said:
A few people have done it like mentioned above you can flip the tailgate handle to the inside and the mechanism works the same. Just have to cut a hole in the tailgate liner and mount the handle.... Probably the easiest part of shaving the handle

It would be so much easier if I had an already made bracket so it mounts up clean. Dammit sir michaels, they got no love for the new body style tacos!

asphyXiated said:
i know this is not a tacoma but you should be able to get the idea...

View attachment 15044

yup thats exactly what I'm trying to shoot for. Thanks for the pic and i'll keep you guys updated. I'm just gonna have to mess around with it and see what my options are.

Scarface · Mar 22, 2012

That sounds like a hassle...

lenie03 · Mar 23, 2012

some of the pictures have been removed but still good info about this subject from a few years back.

click me

oh and to my knowledge there is not a kit to flip 05+ taco's tailgate handles it's all on a one off personal basis that people have done it.

NoelsMyKuya · Mar 23, 2012

lenie03 said:
some of the pictures have been removed but still good info about this subject from a few years back.

click me

oh and to my knowledge there is not a kit to flip 05+ taco's tailgate handles it's all on a one off personal basis that people have done it.

Hey Lenie, thanks for the link! :rockon: I've been looking around autoloc.com for solenoid kits. I wouldn't mind having no handle and just a button inside the cab to unlock to prevent from theft. And it's gonna be priceless the look on people's faces when they try to figure out how to open it. haha! I don't have any skill to do the install so hopefully I can find someone on the forums that can do it cheaper than what shops charge. :hmmmm2:

Canadian Girl · Mar 23, 2012

yea like lenie said there is no kit

it is all up tp you or a good body man

FN5.7 · Mar 24, 2012

My buddy works in a body shop and i had him quote it for me and lets just say ill get around to this. its a bit more than i thought id be.

NoelsMyKuya · Mar 24, 2012

FN5.7 said:
My buddy works in a body shop and i had him quote it for me and lets just say ill get around to this. its a bit more than i thought id be.

Sweet! definitely post up some ideas from your buddy. I'll take some shots of the inner tailgate when I go back to the shop next week.

05H0TWHEELS · Mar 24, 2012

Mines shaved. You want to trade?

Is your truck Bsp?

NoelsMyKuya · Mar 27, 2012

05H0TWHEELS said:
Mines shaved. You want to trade?

Is your truck Bsp?

no thanks, but did you solve the problem of no handle relocator kit?

Welcome!

Anyone here with w/ shaved tail gate handle?

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