XLT to Lariat rear gate and taillight swap? Possible?

[cdherman]

OK, sounds crazy, but I am already not happy about getting the fancy Lariat tailgate and tail lights. This is what happens when you buy Lariat to be a work truck. Where this truck is going, it WILL do work with the tailgate down, rendering the backup lights ineffective, right?

So I read another post about someone wanting to upgrade their XLT to Lariat tailgate bar. Thwarted by the problem that the tail lights would need to be swapped as well.

Well, if I find a willing participant, does anyone have an idea (know for sure is likely a pipe dream) whether swapping the tailgate and rear light units from a Lariat to an XLT and vice versa works?

I am potentially offering Lariat tailgate in white, taillight clusters for XLT version, to make it clear. And while I'm at it, you can have the f-ing 20" rims too. If I get your 18's.......

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[Pioneer74]

OK, sounds crazy, but I am already not happy about getting the fancy Lariat tailgate and tail lights. This is what happens when you buy Lariat to be a work truck. Where this truck is going, it WILL do work with the tailgate down, rendering the backup lights ineffective, right?

No. There are backup lights in the taillights themselves.

 

[Lectruk]

I'm in Iowa and would be willing to swap tailgate, taillights and rims if you want to give it a shot. I have a pro in carbonized grey so would have to paint or wrap to match

 

[Henry Ford]

Required lights cannot be installed on movable panels in the United States. You can run with your tailgate down and will retain full functionality of brake, running, and reverse lights.

Not sure if it matters in this instance but there you go.

 

[bmwhitetx]

rendering the backup lights ineffective, right?

As @Pioneer74 points out, lower your tailgate and you will reveal a second set of backup lights within the taillight itself. That's why there is the "swedge" in the tailgate. When closed it covers those taillights because the tailgate has its own backup light. Also why you can just swap tailgates without swapping lights.

 

[cdherman]

No. There are backup lights in the taillights themselves.

So what's all the problem with water seeping into the rear bar of the tailgate on the Lariats? I mean, if there are redundant back up lights on the tail light assemblies, then who give a F if the lights on the tailgate crap out? I mean, yes, Ford should fix it. But why the full stop recall that won't let dealers release a truck that is under the rear light bar recall?

 

[Pioneer74]

I'm in Iowa and would be willing to swap tailgate, taillights and rims if you want to give it a shot. I have a pro in carbonized grey so would have to paint or wrap to match

Before you guys switch tailgates, you would need to make sure you have the correct pins in your connector. You would also both have to have the powered tailgate.

 

[Pioneer74]

So what's all the problem with water seeping into the rear bar of the tailgate on the Lariats? I mean, if there are redundant back up lights on the tail light assemblies, then who give a F if the lights on the tailgate crap out? I mean, yes, Ford should fix it. But why the full stop recall that won't let dealers release a truck that is under the rear light bar recall?

Because those lights are hidden by the tailgate when it's up. Also, in some failures, the backup and brake lights in the light bar are flashing.

 

[cdherman]

As @Pioneer74 points out, lower your tailgate and you will reveal a second set of backup lights within the taillight itself. That's why there is the "swedge" in the tailgate. When closed it covers those taillights because the tailgate has its own backup light. Also why you can just swap tailgates without swapping lights.

Please describe "swedge". Can it get full of dust? Where this truck is going, dust is EVERYWHERE. Roads are dust. Fields are dust. Pastures are dust. My parents have a fancy 2016 Chrysler Minivan. On the verge of trading off cause it has some stupid rear air intake that some idiot at Dodge thought would be a good idea. Fills itself with dust and then blows dust in your kids face in the rear seats........

Crap I am feeling the need to get away from a Lariat trim.......

 

[bmwhitetx]

Please describe "swedge".

Crap I am feeling the need to get away from a Lariat trim.......

Chill and take a deep breath of dusty air. The tailgate swedge is just that part that covers the backup light when the tailgate is closed. On an XLT, the side is straight, on the Lariat its curved out. I heard someone describe it as a swedge.

 

[Yellow Buddy]

OK, sounds crazy, but I am already not happy about getting the fancy Lariat tailgate and tail lights. This is what happens when you buy Lariat to be a work truck. Where this truck is going, it WILL do work with the tailgate down, rendering the backup lights ineffective, right?

So I read another post about someone wanting to upgrade their XLT to Lariat tailgate bar. Thwarted by the problem that the tail lights would need to be swapped as well.

Well, if I find a willing participant, does anyone have an idea (know for sure is likely a pipe dream) whether swapping the tailgate and rear light units from a Lariat to an XLT and vice versa works?

I am potentially offering Lariat tailgate in white, taillight clusters for XLT version, to make it clear. And while I'm at it, you can have the f-ing 20" rims too. If I get your 18's.......

Just as an aside, I’ve the tailgate down and the backup lights were fine, but I’ve also thrown the zone lights on and they’ve been helpful as well.

 

[GunRack]

I'd swap my XLT powered tailgate in white and lights for the lightbar version, but I'm not near you. I have a second set of OEM 18's too.

 

[RickLightning]

So what's all the problem with water seeping into the rear bar of the tailgate on the Lariats? I mean, if there are redundant back up lights on the tail light assemblies, then who give a F if the lights on the tailgate crap out? I mean, yes, Ford should fix it. But why the full stop recall that won't let dealers release a truck that is under the rear light bar recall?

Guess you aren't understanding. Have someone get in the truck with you standing behind it, and put it in reverse with their foot on the brake. Observe the lights.

Have them put it in park. Now drop the tailgate, Have them put it in reverse, and again observe the lights. You will have answered all your questions.

 

[bmwhitetx]

Might also be a chance to use the trailer light check in the app.

 

[Henry Ford]

A Lariat can be used as a work truck in dusty areas. Ford knows it's customer; they wouldn't build a truck that couldn't be used.

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