Tailgate Teardown

[GDN]

I had my light bar replaced today on the tailgate. I got some pictures and an interesting observation or two about the tailgate.

First - a picture from the inside with the work surface removed (Blue tailgate)- the motor and control module are on the passenger side. All of the cutouts look to be the same as from a Pro (white tailgate) on the inside, but we know the sheet metal is different on the outside (Lariat and Platinum have the flares that cover the back up lights.). Thanks @LUXMAN for the picture from the Pro.

On the outside of the tail gate - the painted 3-4" part above the lightbar is plastic - painted to match the truck. I thought it was stamped metal, nope. This is where the release button and camera are.

The inside of that plastic part has more modules that I would have expected 3 or 4. I expected release button and camera. There is a small module to the left, maybe bluetooth (and why the covering of this area is plastic and not metal) and then a long module probably 8 to 10" wide, plus a couple more stuck in there. The camera and the button at a minimum.

Overall - a crazy amount for a tailgate these days. Not hard to see why they cost so dang much. It is a 1.5 hour job allotment for the light bar replacement.

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[LUXMAN]

If y’all are wondering why my PRO tailgate was apart, you can see the new torsion bar in the bed getting ready to be installed by FORD mobile service.
My tailgate lift assist was not really an assist. My wife’s XLT was much easier to lift.
What I found out was that the torsion bar is bolted 3/4 of the way across the tailgate and pivots on the driver side attach point. When you lower the tailgate, the bar twists and loads up. Then as you lift the tailgate, the torsion bar unloads and helps close it.
For some reason, mine was not doing that and the mobile tech figured it out and ordered the part and today he installed it.
To be sure it was correct, we had a professional tester, test it. @TexasGardeningGirl did a lift comparison between her XLT in my pro, and gave it to her seal of approval

 

[cal]

Wow two Lightnings, an M3, solar and power walls. I'm so jelly (from my 13yr old). Great job!

We've got almost everything converted to electric. Car, truck, mowers, all yard tools. Now if I could find a cheap electric tractor....

Cheap electricity 8.16 cents/kw makes solar hard to justify out here. But would consider it if prices drop low enough to break even in my lifetime.

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