First Mod of 2025 XLT - tailgate assist

[kxpqzt]

Easy first step, looking forward to adding more this weekend. Have a dashcam to get hardwired, a bed cover to install, and going to try adding either a charging cable to the phone holder or try for wireless charging on the mat area. Lots of easy adds before I open up ForScan to poke around. Hopefully someone adds ACC to their XLT soon so I can tag along that process.

This is my first Maverick, so I have no idea what is new to the 2025. Will try to share anything that might be useful for others!

Edit: this one is OMT https://a.co/d/5xoWpKq

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[Clarkdonbran]

Good first addition. It appears you are in the beginning stages of accessoritis. It is incurable and only gets worse!

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

Easy first step, looking forward to adding more this weekend. Have a dashcam to get hardwired, a bed cover to install, and going to try adding either a charging cable to the phone holder or try for wireless charging on the mat area. Lots of easy adds before I open up ForScan to poke around. Hopefully someone adds ACC to their XLT soon so I can tag along that process.

This is my first Maverick, so I have no idea what is new to the 2025. Will try to share anything that might be useful for others!

Edit: this one is OMT https://a.co/d/5xoWpKq

Just in case. You may want to install a replacement tailgate tie down. For around $20 depending upon design and vendor. It is, better to have it and not need it, then need it and not have it.

 

[Superg0]

My accessoritis has receded due to cold weather. It will flare back up in the spring

 

[CurtisB]

Good first addition. It appears you are in the beginning stages of accessoritis. It is incurable and only gets worse!

No vaccine works. Not even wearing a mask will help. You are doomed to spend like a car freak at a car show.............

 

[Lane]

If you want to replace the tailgate tie down that had to be removed to fit the strut, I've made a few that I'm selling.

Works well and clears the new strut and no issues with the cable. I have a thread here in the For Sale forum.

 

[tom_tucker]

Say, when you install tailgate assist on the world's lightest tailgate, what problem are you looking to solve? In turn, what problems are you creating?

I encourage all new Maverick owners to wait and drive the vehicle as-is before adding stuff beyond basic protections. You'd be mighty surprised at all the accessories you thought you needed but really don't.

 

[Lane]

Say, when you install tailgate assist on the world's lightest tailgate, what problem are you looking to solve?

I added the strut for a few reasons. There have been a few times that I have opened the tailgate and unintentionally let it fall to an open position under its own weight. I really don't like that very unexpected sh*t-my-pants BANG! Someday I'll be older where that has to be a heart attack risk. Dang is that loud. It doesn't really hurt anything when that happens, but I don't like the fact that it sounds like it does.

Also, when I have full hands/arms, I can lift the gate latch with any particular finger and allow the gate to drop to open position slowly without me having to lower it there by hand.

The strut is inexpensive and very worthwhile IMO for these reasons.

I encourage all new Maverick owners to wait and drive the vehicle as-is before adding stuff beyond basic protections. You'd be mighty surprised at all the accessories you thought you needed but really don't.

Completely agree. Seems like a lot of owners buy accessories just because they like extras and bolting them on. We've all seen those trucks where the owner went overboard and really junked them up.

 

[Clarkdonbran]

Say, when you install tailgate assist on the world's lightest tailgate, what problem are you looking to solve? In turn, what problems are you creating?

I encourage all new Maverick owners to wait and drive the vehicle as-is before adding stuff beyond basic protections. You'd be mighty surprised at all the accessories you thought you needed but really don't.

Where’s the fun in that?

 

[kxpqzt]

Say, when you install tailgate assist on the world's lightest tailgate, what problem are you looking to solve? In turn, what problems are you creating?

I encourage all new Maverick owners to wait and drive the vehicle as-is before adding stuff beyond basic protections. You'd be mighty surprised at all the accessories you thought you needed but really don't.

That's like asking why you would install those soft-close toilet seats even though toilet seats are incredibly light. It's the cheaply obtained convenience of not having to lower it manually. I also usually have my hands full when opening the tailgate so being able to pull the latch and drop it is very nice.

Also, I don't know of any problem this would create.

 

[icegradner]

That's like asking why you would install those soft-close toilet seats even though toilet seats are incredibly light. It's the cheaply obtained convenience of not having to lower it manually. I also usually have my hands full when opening the tailgate so being able to put the latch and drop it is very nice.

Also, I don't know of any problem this would create.

Exactly. I waited a few months after getting the assist for mine, should have got it right away.

The only issue I ever had with it was when it rained and then got very cold quickly there after, leading the strut being very slow to operate.

 

[mechgingeneet]

Meanwhile, I'm sitting here just waiting for OP to post more pictures of his truck since it appears we ordered the same thing and mine is still in production...

Seriously though, this is the first mod I'll do to mine! I did pick up a tie down to replace the one that has to be removed. I haul a lot of lumber, and will definitely need the tailgate Tie-downs for the longer pieces.

 

[kxpqzt]

Meanwhile, I'm sitting here just waiting for OP to post more pictures of his truck since it appears we ordered the same thing and mine is still in production...

Seriously though, this is the first mod I'll do to mine! I did pick up a tie down to replace the one that has to be removed. I haul a lot of lumber, and will definitely need the tailgate Tie-downs for the longer pieces.

Fine, fine. I did get the bed cover installed, but waiting to take more pics until the sun comes back out and makes the green look properly gorgeous.

 

[FreedomPenguin]

Fine, fine. I did get the bed cover installed, but waiting to take more pics until the sun comes back out and makes the green look properly gorgeous.

View attachment 189192

very nice truck! looks great.

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

Say, when you install tailgate assist on the world's lightest tailgate, what problem are you looking to solve? In turn, what problems are you creating?

I encourage all new Maverick owners to wait and drive the vehicle as-is before adding stuff beyond basic protections. You'd be mighty surprised at all the accessories you thought you needed but really don't.

Maybe it's not a need, maybe it's a want. I'm sure "Kxpqzt" enjoys spending their money as they like, without having to justify it to somebody who thinks it should be spent on just needs.
Maybe "kxpqzt' would prefer to have a nice easy tailgate release and open, rather than having occasionally slammed down. It's nice when your hands are full (as OP "kxpqzt" mentioned above)
and all you have to do is pull the latch and let it drop.

Further commentary deleted.

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