Note: The tailgate is quite bulky and heavy, so we recommend removing it with an assistant.
You will need: a flat-blade screwdriver and a 10 mm wrench.
1. Remove the additional brake light (see "Replacing an additional brake light").
2. Disconnect the wiring harness connector from the license plate lights (see "Replacing license plate lights").
3. Disconnect the wiring harness connector from the rear lid lock electric drive and disconnect the wiring harness connector of the limit switch on the lock (see "Replacing the tailgate lock").
4. Disconnect the wiring harness connector from the rear window wiper motor (see "Replacement of the rear window wiper motor").
5. Pry off the rubber boot of the tailgate washer hose…
6. …pull it out of the hole in the tailgate and then remove the hose from the hole.
Note: If you are removing the tailgate for purposes other than replacement, tie a piece of wire to the wiring harness and washer hose and leave it in the tailgate cavity to make it easy to route the wiring harness back when reinstalling the tailgate.
Note: Mark the location of the door hinges on the body to avoid subsequent adjustment.
7. Remove the tailgate wiring harness in the same manner.
8. Remove the tailgate stops (see "Replacing the tailgate stops").
9. Remove two bolts securing the tailgate to the hinges on each side and remove the tailgate from the vehicle.
10. Install the tailgate in the reverse order of removal.
Information for this article was taken from the website [FordBook]