Long time lurker and I made an account because I need some advice stat. I have a new to me 2019 F-40 Platinum and need to take the tailgate off to load my truck camper. So tonight I unplugged the four plugs, took the right side of the tail gate out but could not for the life of me slide the left side off. Me and my son and another guy wrestled with it and could not get the driver side to pop off. My previous truck was a F-250 so I know how that came off. Anyhow, after giving up so I could do research on here, I popped the passenger side in and CLOSED THE TAILGATE! So now it is unplugged, the plugs are in the bed of the truck and the tailgate is shut. I've scanned the net and the forums and they say there is no workaround or emergency backup to release the tailgate. So what do I do? I can only think of two options:

1. Take the plate off the inside of the tailgate and manually move the latch (??)
2. Figure out which plug provides power and patch some temporary - I imagine it's the biggest plug?

Is there another way? And once I do how do I get that gate off? I read one post where someone torched the driver side bracket?

Help! My camping trip is currently on ice! Thanks!

-Kevin

 

The two ideas that you mentioned are the only way to get it open. You might try using a dead blow hammer or rubber mallet on the driver side while you're trying to pull the tailgate off of the driver side. I don't like hammering on things, but it may be your only choice. Just be sure to grease the ball before putting it back on!

 

Drive it in the rain and the tailgate should open mine always does

 

I'd put a power probe in the connector to give it power, which seems to be how you want to do it. And taking off the plate is no big deal if you can do it that way. Any chance you have one of those tailgate theft prevention locks on the hinge?

 

Thanks for the responses. So it ended up the first option worked just fine. C12H24 you are right it was no big deal to take that plate off when the tailgate up. Took me <5 mins. During my google-fu trying to find the answer I ran across all sorts of drama about no back up to the powered gate and no manual handle. Well if by chance it happens it was a 5 min deal. You lean over and zip out 8 screws and then manually turn the bracket thing and it's done.

Now, as for getting the gate off, a little penetrating oil may have helped, but as T. Banning suggested, I tried the dead blow hammer but it did not do anything and hard to find leverage so the magic was a 4' 2x4 up against the wheel well and with one hip thrust it popped off. There was plenty of rust and some paint in there so I could see where it got stuck. So as you say Banning, YES, I will be cleaning that up and lubing it.

Any suggestions how I can buy those plugs for the disconnected wires down below so I don't have to tape them all up? Thanks. Some pics below and an honorary pic of the 2x4. Thanks guys!

-Kevin

 

Plugs should be in your glovebox. They normally come with the truck.

 

Well la-de-da. You must be rich with all that lumber out in the open like that.

 

Can you send me some pictures of the dummy plugs that you need, I might be able to help you out. I'll need some pretty close shots

 

It's been a while since I could claim this honestly, but I literally laughed out loud at this comment! Thank you sir!!!

 

Thanks for the offer T. Banning! Let me get some pics. I got the truck used and the plugs are not in the glovebox, but I read somewhere maybe under the passenger seat? I'll check there and get something posted here. Thanks! Got the camper on the truck tonight, still needing to do some mods as this camper just not designed for a dually!




Have to relocate that back tie down anchor ;-(. Torklift makes a kit, it's the most expensive L-bracket known to mankind!