Photos of wiring harness which I unwrapped.

 

Harness connections underneath truck

 

Does everything work when installed?

 

Old tailgate all works. Always has. Camera, remote unlock, remote open. I’m just at a loss as to why there is what appears to be a non-Ford splice out. I’ll try to trace the harness underneath the truck next.

 

I have a 2018 lariat, thats the same harness I have.

 

Yours is split with the other two connectors underneath?

 

Ok. You read it here first - I am wrong.
The splice is a splice noted on the wiring diagrams. I have look through my huge book, online wiring diagrams and my wiring diagram PDFs and that slice off the tailgate harness has got to be there. It just didn’t look “factory” to me. And @Denny280 saying his harness is the same.
I still have questions as to why the King Ranch tailgate I bought used didn’t have the same splice coming off of it, but I can live with not knowing why.

I guess I’ll now look to repurposing my entire harness to the new tailgate. Ir creating a new S415 splice Boatwaco style.

 

Sorry it took so long but yes its split, 1 big connector 2 small one. Came with dummy plugs to cover them when the tail gate is off.

 

FYI - I believe the harnesses needed are these. I will order the -D harness and verify.
LL3Z-14A411-D - this is the splice off of the tailgate harness.
LL3Z-14A411-B - this is the receptacle harnesses for the above (in case you don't have them).

 

So I added the wiring splice to the donor tailgate and was so excited to put it on the truck. But…
Non-step tailgates have a different left (driver) side hinge. The step tailgates have an extra lock rod going from hinge to hinge through the tailgate. I’ll assume to help stiffen the tailgate when steps are being used(?). The left side on the tailgate has a slotted cap which goes over a different hinge (see below). So, I’ve ordered that hinge to bolt onto the side of the bed.
Getting closer!

 

That Tailgate is missing something.
I can't quite make it out though.........

Wait! Didn't it come with a

 

Today I got the step tailgate installed!
After having to go to HD to buy a replacement T50 bit - I couldn’t find mine…

Disconnected and removed old tailgate.
Removed driver side hinge and installed new slotted hinge base. Tip - don’t remove both the hinge bolts. The remaining bolt holds the backing plate on the other side in place.
Install the new hinge base.

You’re ready to pop on the step tailgate. I removed the step assembly to reduce weight. I also took off the inside tailgate panel, exposing the release handle. Glad I did as I needed to make a lot of adjustments.

 

Adjustments made to these connections under the yellow locking tabs to loosen or tighten the unlocking mechanism.

 

Now I need to add emblem, stripes, 3D F150 letter inserts and will likely replace the trim pieces on the top edge of the tailgate. Tested rear camera too. I used the step tailgate’s camera.

 

In different lighting.

 

OK - the color difference is too much for me to live with long-term. Once I am convinced it all works as it should, I'll take it to get painted to match my Oxford White, and have the shop apply the Ecoboost badge and stripes on lower edge.

 

I'm not OCD

At least not bad.
But I really really need you to get that painted so I don't have to be dishonest. 😁

 

I'm not OCD

At least not bad.
But I really really need you to get that painted so I don't have to be dishonest. 😁

I want honest opinions!!! If I want people hold back or just appease me, I’ll go get a haircut and ask “do you think I’m starting to get a bald spot?”. 🦅

 

Wait. What did I miss? That was the used tailgate?

 

Yes. Donor off of eBay. $1500 or so. Wrecked truck was a 2018 King Ranch.
I have Oxford white paint.
I think donor is the White platinum metallic tri-coat.

 

Just to gather all the parts needed in one spot, besides buying the tailgate assembly, I needed a new hinge, bolts and wire harness to splice into the wiring. Not listed are the trim pieces for the step and top of tailgate - easy to find at Ford or eBay and there are eBay lower-cost knockoffs too.

Also - pictures here -> Swapping in a tailgate with steps to a 2018 F150 Lariat | F150 Ecoboost Forum

Hinge FL3Z99430B39B
Bag of 4 bolts (needed only 2) W7102661S437
Wiring harness LL3Z-14A411-D

 

Getting things ready for the paint shop.
Step tailgate removed and stripped to a shell. Handle disassembled too for painting.
Washed everything thoroughly and baked dry in the 102* Texas sun.
Old tailgate popped back on for the interim.
Im getting very adept at tailgate R&R.

 

Dropped the tailgate shell, panel and handle assembly off at the paint shop today! 🖌

 

Tailgate, back panel and handle are painted and back from the shop!
I’ll rebuild the handle first, then the tailgate this weekend. It’s baking / curing in the bed of my truck now (107* F right now) and it’s too hot to move!

 

Shhhh! don't tell anyone but a couple of the wife’s oven mitts did wonders allowing me to lift the tailgate out of the bed and place it out of the way in the garage. 🤫

 

1st pic is Old “before”
2nd pic is the New tailgate.
Just needs stripe kit.
Point matched by body shop nicely.
I added my Bedrug tailgate pad.
Step assembly works smoothly.
New black trim on top edge.
New lock actuator (new versions are supposedly “stronger”).
New wiring harness and pigtail extension.
Added the Ford hinge lock too.
It turned out nice.
If I had to do again I would have bought a new shell pre-painted off eBay, steps assembly and wiring from Ford.
But no regrets - I now got steps!

 

Dropped the truck off at the shop to get the tailgate stripe professionally applied! Photos as soon as I get it back later today!

 

Done! I’m happy.
PS. I took in 2 dozen donuts when I dropped off the truck and they only charged me 1/2 of the labor rate.