Tailgate Applique (not what you think!)

[rabidranger]

So my ******* backed into a pole. Gives me an excuse to put on a ADD bomber rear bumper now, but the tailgate is damaged beyond simple paint-less dent removal. I got a place that can get me a new shell painted for under a grand. I just need to swap everything over. Seems easy enough, except for the applique. Has anyone tried to remove theirs, or have experience removing one? I haven't found anything helpful searching.

 

[Jr24]

i haven't had one off, because i ordered mine without the appliqué, but I have had the Ford emblem out on mine to have it painted. My guess is that you should be able to access the fasteners for the appliqué by removing the inner panel off the tailgate. Thats what I did to get to the clips for the emblem. If you have the tailgate step, it will be more of a pain because the mount and tracks for the step run right down the middle of the inside of the tailgate and get in the way, along with the wiring for the backup camera and electric latch for the handle.

 

[PorterW1111]

im about to remove one, i can document the process...

 

[rabidranger]

That would be great! Thanks.

 

[COLESLAWJAY]

Just make sure you get a new (appliqué style) tailgate. As the tailgates with have mounting holes in it, while the appliqué-less ones do not, obviously

 

[PorterW1111]

That would be great! Thanks.

ok so i just knocked it out. it is ridiculously easy.

1. remove tailgate from truck
2. remove inside panel
3. remove all clips and exposed nuts as you can reach once the inside panel is off.
4. this is the only challenging part; you need to start on the end snap clip. it is challenging as there is not much leverage to go off of. but I started with lifting the up pass side. so the top right hand corner of the D. after step 3 this corner should be a little loose.
5. lift that corner up as much as you feel comfortable with then you are going to slide in the thin metal yard stick and push in on one side of the clip. helps to have a second person to hold the light and apply continuous upward pressure.
6. once the upper side( the side that faces up when the tailgate is installed) is popped free make sure you pull up a little more to keep it from snapping back in.
7. move to the bottom side of the applique and slide in the ruler like a slim jim and push on the other side of the clip. its going to take a couple tries and you might have to mend the tip of your yard stick some to get that rubber washer out of the way.
8. once you get that first one done its the same process all the way down. start on the upper side, apply pressure, push in on the clip, go to the bottom and do the same.

in all once i got the first clip popped it took about 10 min to get the rest off.

these are the tools i used after i got the inside panel off.

seriously dont over think it.

 

[isis]

This is quality content right here. Love this forum sometimes.

 

[rabidranger]

Nice work! Great write up too.

 

[RustyNutz]

I will add, when I took mine off many of the clips are accessible from the inside of the disassembled tailgate. I think i used a soft plastic wedge to maintain outward pressure, and worked from the inside-center out. I kept my gate mounted to the truck for stability. Remove topcap, inside, step assy, then go after clips. I believe there is also some double-sided tape in areas.

For ones that are only accessible from the face, I like porters idea of a slimjim. I always use an extra long 90 degree pick to depress the tabs, but you have to use extreme caution to not slip and scratch something.