Power Tailgate removal and rear 360 cam relocation

[smackit]

I have a 2021 Lariat with the motorized power tailgate that goes up and down with a push of a button. I also have the 360º camera system with the rear view cam in the tailgate. I'm picking up a slide in truck camper and will need to remove the tailgate.

Is the procedure to remove the motorized power tailgate the same as other non-motorized models?

I've read some horror stories that every removal of the tailgate may require a visit to the dealer to re-calibrate the 360º camera system. What kind of problems am I facing if I need to remove and replace the tailgate several times per year?

Is there a way to relocate the tailgate camera to the back of the slide in camper?

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[Chrislorl]

I do not have an answer on the reprogramming every time at the dealer but I can't believe that would be designed in. To remove the tailgate you need to unplug the wiring under the vehicle. This includes the round LVDS cable for the camera. This looks like a coax cable with a special connector.
There are relocation kits available which you can buy with an OEM camera so you do not have to tear down your tailgate and take out the camera.
You can buy it from this guy:
Bobs Mirrors
The kit comes with a cable that plugs into the harness under the truck.
If you do not use a kit make sure you use the plug cap that should have come with the truck so you do not get debris in the open connections.
Hope this helps.

 

[Buyer2021]

Is the procedure to remove the motorized power tailgate the same as other non-motorized models?

I've read some horror stories that every removal of the tailgate may require a visit to the dealer to re-calibrate the 360º camera system. What kind of problems am I facing if I need to remove and replace the tailgate several times per year?

A radical notion I realize, but the step-by-step procedure with diagrams for R&R is in your Owner's Manual (Tailgate - Vehicles With: Power Tailgate > REMOVING AND INSTALLING THE TAILGATE).

The procedure is different from all other tailgates due to an additional retaining screw on the fully powered version.

You can download the Owner's Manual from the Ford Owner website if you don't have it.

FWIW there is no mention of need to recalibrate any camera upon re-installation.

 

[hank1510]

Bringing back this thread as I didn’t find a more recent or specific one with the search.

I removed my tailgate and put the caps on in preparation for a slide in camper. I now see a “fog” in the 360 view, or green at night. Obviously the reverse camera isn’t present, and just displays blue. It’d be nice if it defaulted to the bed view.

Firstly, wtf… seriously?!? I waited 7 months for this truck and bought it yesterday! Removing the tailgate may not be common, but it’s certainly something that should have been tested.

Secondly, how do I resolve this? I’m not likely to put the tailgate back on, and more likely to move a camera between the camper and bumper. I can get a mesh tailgate to store in the camper if I remove the camper.

Headlights are on in the night view. This should be something visible.

 

[bakaivar]

Did you ever find a solution to this?

I don't have a solution, but I can tell you what I have experienced this past weekend.

I have a 2022 F150 with the 360 camera and power tailgate. I removed the tailgate for the same reason as you want to. I disconnected the 3 cables that lead to the tailgate. Those three cables have 3 different shaped plugs. I had a zip lock bag of "tailgate removal plug covers" provided in the glovebox. It contained 4 plug covers (really they are just actual plugs with no wires attached to them). 3 of the plug covers matched the plugs that I disconnected. I plugged the plug covers in and made sure I heard them click into place.

(BTW, make sure to have the tailgate open when disconnecting the large plug - if its not connected, you will not be able to unlatch the tailgate to remove it)

This is what happened:
1. Rear camera view on the screen shows blue. Thats to be expected because there is no camera there.
2. Front and side cameras show a very faded view of whats around them. They used to be crystal clear, but now they are faded/cloudy in the daytime, and very grainy at night.
3. Dash shows "Tailgate ajar" warning message whenever I start the truck. I can press OK to clear the message. No other warning light displays on the dash, so I can live with that one.
4. The tailgate ajar warning means that locking the truck does not happen properly. The doors lock, but the truck chirps/beeps as if one of the doors is not closed properly. Also the power mirrors do not fold in any more (I guess because of the fact that the truck thinks something is still open).

I have not found a solution to this yet.

I called my local Ford dealer and they said that they did not know if that was normal. They said that they did not have anyone who had taken the tailgate off (!!??). I will be taking the truck in there to get them to have a look at it anyway. Fingers crossed that they can figure it out.

 

[Sparkybrent]

I removed my tailgate for a commercial top with rear doors. I ordered the camera kit with my ARE shell. It included everything except the camera itself which they removed from my tailgate. I get a message in reverse that guidance is unavailable and I don't have the rear zone light. Shell has electric locks that work with the regular door locks. Other than that, everything is great. I've wondered why I don't get tailgate ajar notice.

 

[Boss1309]

I know this is a bit of an older post

this is for a power up tailgate obviously with the motor on right side

but I’m trying to remove my tailgate to resolve the popping issue when closing I have disconnected the three connecters and plugged under the bumper remove the retaining bolt on the right side but cannot lift tailgate out of pivot point on right side. I have closed to a 45° angle and tried pulling up on the right side to no avail is there a secret to this.

 

[WirePro_Joe]

I removed my tailgate for a commercial top with rear doors. I ordered the camera kit with my ARE shell. It included everything except the camera itself which they removed from my tailgate. I get a message in reverse that guidance is unavailable and I don't have the rear zone light. Shell has electric locks that work with the regular door locks. Other than that, everything is great. I've wondered why I don't get tailgate ajar notice.

I'm ordering an ARE truck cap soon. 2 different salesmen told me not to order the power e-locks as they are not reliable. Are yours still working?

 

[Jolly_MTNS]

Did you ever figure this out? Mine does the same thing and it is annoying!

Did you ever find a solution to this?

I don't have a solution, but I can tell you what I have experienced this past weekend.

I have a 2022 F150 with the 360 camera and power tailgate. I removed the tailgate for the same reason as you want to. I disconnected the 3 cables that lead to the tailgate. Those three cables have 3 different shaped plugs. I had a zip lock bag of "tailgate removal plug covers" provided in the glovebox. It contained 4 plug covers (really they are just actual plugs with no wires attached to them). 3 of the plug covers matched the plugs that I disconnected. I plugged the plug covers in and made sure I heard them click into place.

(BTW, make sure to have the tailgate open when disconnecting the large plug - if its not connected, you will not be able to unlatch the tailgate to remove it)

This is what happened:
1. Rear camera view on the screen shows blue. Thats to be expected because there is no camera there.
2. Front and side cameras show a very faded view of whats around them. They used to be crystal clear, but now they are faded/cloudy in the daytime, and very grainy at night.
3. Dash shows "Tailgate ajar" warning message whenever I start the truck. I can press OK to clear the message. No other warning light displays on the dash, so I can live with that one.
4. The tailgate ajar warning means that locking the truck does not happen properly. The doors lock, but the truck chirps/beeps as if one of the doors is not closed properly. Also the power mirrors do not fold in any more (I guess because of the fact that the truck thinks something is still open).

I have not found a solution to this yet.

I called my local Ford dealer and they said that they did not know if that was normal. They said that they did not have anyone who had taken the tailgate off (!!??). I will be taking the truck in there to get them to have a look at it anyway. Fingers crossed that they can figure it out.

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