What is the function or purpose of the black bracket/assembly between the tailgate and the bumper on the passenger side? This is a part of the truck that looks unfinished (like the rear wheel-wells and the roof drain-channels). I'm considering a tailgate lightbar to cover this up, but this bracket makes it not a flat mounting surface.

Picture of bracket in question

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Close-up pic



From inside with tailgate down:


Thanks in advance!

 

That's a good one. You made me go look at mine. All I have is the 2 threaded holes and NO bracket. So you could take it off but who knows what it's there for.

XLT for the record.

 

I just went and checked mine (XLT SCAB if it makes any difference) and I don't have that bracket. There are a couple of threaded holes there, but no bracket.

 

Lariat or platinum trim? Could it be for the piston that keeps the tailgate from slamming down?

 

Its a XLT 302A trim, with the tailgate step. It isn't included in the dampener kit from the Ford accessory site. My guess now is it is related to the tailgate step since most don't seem to have it.

 

Yeah, I don't have the tailgate step. I did add the damper and it definitely didn't have anything like that.

 

10-4 on above.

No step for me. We need some more comparisons.

 

What about the folded body-color piece, best seen in the last picture? Do you all have that? Thanks!

 

I have wondered this myself, I have the bracket on mine. We have the same truck XLT 302a with the step

 

Interesting! It looks like its only function is to keep the tailgate from moving side to side. I can't envision why that would be necessary. Hmmm...