To Release The Tailgate; Releasing The Tailgate; Tailgate Removal - Ford Vehicle Owner's Manual

To release the tailgate:

Open the tailgate as directed above, but support
it to allow for slack in the cables at both sides.
Use a coin or similar object to pry the spring
clip (on each upper cable connector) past the
head of the support screw. Doing so will allow
you to center the wider opening in the connector
over the screw head and disconnect it.
If you disconnect the upper end of each cable,
you can lower the tailgate completely.
NOTE: Step bumpers or hitches may damage
the tailgate if it is lowered completely.

Releasing the tailgate

Tailgate removal

First release the tailgate as described above. Be
sure to support the left side to prevent it from
falling. Then raise the tailgate to a 45 degree
angle (see the following illustration) and lift the
right side of the tailgate off its hinge. You can
now pull the left side of the tailgate away from
the left hinge.
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