tailgate removal + replace solo?
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Nov 2025
Posts: 35
Likes: 8
tailgate removal + replace solo?
Just wondering if anyone out there has done this by themselves w/o any help? Just from physical point of view (mine has the built-in step so is heavier than those w/o that) --- not asking about the wiring which isn't that hard to figure out. I know it can be taken off - but how about getting it back on solo? Any tricks to do that?
Last edited by bb11; Today at 01:55 PM.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 4,148
Likes: 1,656
Even with the step I can get it on/off physically by myself, though with the step it's easier with some help.
The hardest part is getting that damn connector for the rear camera back together - they do NOT like to go back together, so I avoid taking a tailgate off if I can.
The hardest part is getting that damn connector for the rear camera back together - they do NOT like to go back together, so I avoid taking a tailgate off if I can.
Tuned
Joined: Nov 2024
Posts: 307
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I'm going to be taking mine off and back on 3 times next week to allow a fork truck to put a 3300# pallet in as far into the bed as possible. I used to remove the tailgate on my 92 by myself all the time, but I hear that the step and power motor(s) make the plat tailgate much heavier. I saw a Ford tech tip video on how to remove it, it recommended having a second person. Is that because it weighs a ton, or just cuz it's bulky and nice to have an extra hand to balance and guide it? That extra person is going to be my 66 year old wife who is healthy but not a weight lifting gym rat. Let me know if I should ask my retired Marine Corp neighbor who is always in his full gym for help!
Last edited by F250 Platzilla; Today at 04:13 PM.
4wd Low
Joined: Jan 2026
Posts: 13
Likes: 6
From: PNW
I take mine off by myself for my camper but do not have the step version. It's not heavy but balancing it is the tricky part as you lift out and install so that it doesn't bang on something and cause a scratch. I put a blanket on top of the bumper for prevention with a little work table close to set on. An extra set of hands wouldn't hurt.
Last edited by Nickmech; Today at 04:49 PM.
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Nov 2025
Posts: 35
Likes: 8
Yeah I scratched mine up pretty good trying to put it back on solo. And had it at one point seemingly stuck (was wedged on something on the driver's side towards the top and totally free on passenger side) - i couldn't get it off or on all the way into the driver's side. Was about to give up and then I accidentally lifted the tailgate handle as I was grasping around on the thing. That released something it was stuck on, on the driver's side, and I could at least get it off to try another day. For a bit I thought I was going to have to get it to the dealer just to get it un-wedged. Now I'm looking to buy some touch up paint.
The online manual says tailgate angle should be 80 degrees when trying to insert it back on the driver's side (but knowing that didn't help me much).
Doing it solo you can't see the driver's side to line things up - this is the key problem (though the weight @ ~70lbs is a 2nd problem...along w/ the girth of the thing - it's nearly taller than my arms are long, so can just barely reach under it to hold it up).
The online manual says tailgate angle should be 80 degrees when trying to insert it back on the driver's side (but knowing that didn't help me much).
Doing it solo you can't see the driver's side to line things up - this is the key problem (though the weight @ ~70lbs is a 2nd problem...along w/ the girth of the thing - it's nearly taller than my arms are long, so can just barely reach under it to hold it up).
Last edited by bb11; Today at 07:28 PM.
