Ever since getting my truck a few weeks ago I hated the tail gate pole and plastic tail gate liner. After reading jhaskin4's post about replacing it with a stock metal panel I went down to my dealership and ordered the replacement panel for $59.00. I easily took the old setup off and replaced it with the new panel. After having it Line-Xed today I couldn't be happier. The Line-X dealer said he's had many people ask about doing the same thing but my truck was the first he's seen. I have the convenience of the step but without that pole and plastic cover.
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What is a "tailgate pole"?

 

Do you mean the little "man-step" handle...tailgate *****?

 

that man step is amazing. if you use it for what its designed for, its a damn good option

 

looks great after seeing yours i am going to do it too.

 

sweet. those little poles are dumb

 

AKA....."stripper pole".....

 

Yeah, for Smurf's or midgets!

 

Any chance you can post the part number for the panel and the screws as well as how many screws required? Great photos. Waiting to get a spray in liner now until I get this new "non-stripper-pole" panel.

 

Much better. I was almost embarrassed to drive a ford truck when they came out with those. I still think the step is retarded, but at least you can hide that when not in use.

 

Looks good. I am going down to line-x shop tommorow to see when I can get it done.

 

Panel is part #9L3Z9943121A ($59. or so) and screws are part number #W710734-S439 (need two packs).

 

Sonoma - Thanks for the part numbers.

 

That is a great mod you did. I always thought the pole was over kill. The step, that's a good idea, just not the pole. My $0.02

 

I really like that step, but my 250 pound *** makes that little thing flex a lot. I was worried about durability. I would have thought they would have made it sturdy enough for a man and an 80 lb bag of concrete.