Originally Posted by GIGGER

Around these parts we call that the "stripper pole"

Originally Posted by rickatic

...and you Canadians do know a little about that

Originally Posted by b-uno

want to borrow my pole?

Originally Posted by wponder11

I decided I would remove the step assist pole since I do not really like it. When I set out to do so, I wanted to achieve a few things.

- Have a clean finish once removed, with the bed sprayed
- Have the ability to put it back later if I decided too

If you like the pole and want to spray the bed I would still recommend removing it, spraying the tailgate and then put the plastic liner back. If you decide to ever remove it you will have everything you need done.The approach I took will allow me to add it back easily and cheaply if needed.

Here are the steps I took.

1. Removed the pole and liner to see what there would be to deal with.
a. You will need a torque to remove the plastic liner screws
b. Once removed you will need a larger torque to remove the brace that bolts the pole to the tail gate frame
( Sorry for the pic quality. I had crappy lighting)







2. Once removed I got all my parts for covering that access hole
a. Ford Part - 8C3Z-9943121-A - $91.00 This is the cover. This one has a cut in it that provides access to a large whole in the tail gate. I am not sure what it is for. Looking at more trucks it seems there is another part that has a strait edge. I am not sure if it will work but would provide a more clean install than the route I took

b. Ford Part - W710734-S439 (4/pack; need two packs for 8 total). These are the screws for the access panel. I did not order them. I might get them later. Instead, I went to a local shop and got 8 black button head screws - type M6-19mm. They were free. I would recommend adding washers. I got black fiber washers 50 cents per two pack

c. To fill the large whole and cut in the access panel I tried to use the rubber stopper from the plastic cover. It will fit the hole after the gate is sprayed but leaves a gap between the panel and tailgate. Looked at fordparts.com. Saw there is a plug that goes there labeled HS3. Got that from Ford for $150. It is a plastic button plug. It works well. It fills the whole and helps secure the access panel, if you put it in at an angle.

d. You will have three holes at the bottom of the tail gate from the plastic plugs used to secure the plastic liner from the pole assist. Some people metal tape them and spray the tailgate. I wanted to be able to put the pole back in the future. So, I asked the guy not to fill them. They will be smaller once sprayed. You can drill them or use smaller auto panel plugs. I picked up six smaller plugs from the hardware store. 58 cents each. I used three and held on to the others in case I ever break them or pop them out to put the pole back

3. I had the bed sprayed. I had them leave the large hole at the top of the gate and the three holes at the bottom. They also sprayed the access panel. Picture is the gate without the panel cover added. You can see the three hole at the bottom and large hole at the top ( Offset from the center to the right ) that will need to be filled.



4. Once sprayed I added the panel back, hammered in the large plug and three smaller plugs. Before screwing down I would recommend running the screws through the former screw holes one time. Some liner spray will get in there and running the screws in will make it easier to fasten down the access panel.