As title says, Is there an easier way to remove the tailgate without removing the lower bolts or is that that only way?

 

I don't know. It seems pretty easy to me. I was trying to get the tailgate back up after unloading some mulch this afternoon. You know, working it up and down trying to get the stuff stuck between the bed and the tailgate out---and the darn thing came off in my hands, dangling by the wires. I was pretty astonished. This is a 2012 F-150.

I'm not sure if its a bug or a feature. The left side plugged in at the hinge, and the right side had an open side to the socket. I guess if you pull on it at just the right angle, it comes off. It sure seems like it would be easy to steal.....

 

mine you pop the wires off and put the tail gate at a 45 degree angle and pull it off it comes right off.