install

10/9/22

What: Installing an OE Ford Tailgate Liner on a 2022 Ford Maverick
Cost: $75 plus shipping
Time: 15-20 minutes
Disclaimer: I am NOT an expert. I am an amateur car owner with passing experience dealing with minor car modifications.

The liner was delivered in a plastic bag and not in its own box, which is really fine, because it’s a super hard, dense plastic meant for abuse. It must be the same material as the drop-in bedliner. It also comes with small bag labeled Kit Hardware P/U Box Ford Mav BT 2022+ (part number: NZ6J-9928546-AB).

These are the contents of the hardware kit. I have no idea what the other pieces are for. Some metal pieces and extra threaded retainer clips

Instead of an instruction sheet, the included paper guides you HERE where you can find the instructions in PDF. Sadly, the instructions for this install aren’t particularly detailed, though initial read seems straightforward enough.

OKAY. Here we go.

Used a T25 screwdriver to remove the 8 screw/washer combos already in in the tailgate.

Here’s a fun look at what’s underneath that plate, there. It’s the lock mechanism and here, I just have the manual lock.

This is where it started getting complicated for me. What is the point of the 4 stickers they have? The instructions look like you just stick them in the corner of the metal? So, I did that. Perhaps it’s to protect the threads from water and rust?

B is the sticker, and it says to put it in the 4 corners

Then the real problem came up: the instructions state that now a T20 socket is needed to replace the screws. It occurred to me that the 2 screws included in the hardware kit are what they’re talking about. Uh oh. Ford’s parts site wasn’t useful, either, because there are no pictures on there.

It came with tape to guard the corners. Made sure to remove that

Well. Okaaay. Sooo. I decided to reuse 4 of the original screws because they seem to fit the 4 middle ports of the liner. The 4 outside ones have a larger hole which means that the original screw’s washers were too small for. I ended up scrounging around in the house for loose washers or possible screws, and miraculously found some black washers slightly larger than the ones on the existing screws. Unfortunately, the washer’s hole was too large. I then doubled them up and it worked, though the screws do stick up more out of the liner.

Doubled them up because the extra washer’s hole is too large for the screw

Since I didn’t have the hex-head screws, I couldn’t torque to the 2.4Nm (1.8lb-ft) as instructed. I tried not to screw it too tightly, but not too loosely either. Hopefully it stays put. Feels good. I tugged on it a few times.

Hurray! 🙂

Written: February 23, 2022 – Updated: December 30, 2022

The 2022 Ford Maverick requires Ford OE anchors (as of right now). When I first bought the truck, these pictures were of the Curt brand D-ring anchors I found. At the time, neither they nor any other D-ring anchor out there fit.

Ford OEM D-Ring Floor Anchors

Ford now offers the D-ring anchors on their parts site. You can find them here: D-rings (Comes 1 per package) and screws (Comes 4 per package)

Materials

Needed: T-Handle Ratcheting Tap Wrench, M8 x 1.25 thread tap, cutting oil, Qty: 2 – Hook Tie Down – Rear, Center – Part #: NZ6Z60550A74A, Qty 1: Screw – Part #: W721941S450B
Cost: $105.98 (2 D-rings) + $9.90 (1 pkg screws) + tax = $122.84
Difficulty: Easy
Time: Around 5 minutes a hole

My tap and die set. You only need the M8x1.25 tap and wrench

Watched a few YouTube videos first. I seemed pretty straightforward. I’d been lollygagging on installation because I was nervous that I’d mess up and break the tap. It’s really not hard, in fact it’s quite easy once you get through the first hole tapping.

Basically, you don’t want to force it. Get the cutting oil on there. The beginning is the most crucial part in getting it level and threads started. Some downward force is needed right in the beginning, but as soon as the tap can stand up on its own, then it’s time let the tap do its thing by just turning the handles. The ratcheting function was paramount for the Maverick given how close the holes are to the bed sides. Turn the tap and feel it cut until you feel resistance. Then turn it the opposite direction to clear the metal shavings. Don’t forget the cutting oil. All of the videos instructed a short back-and-forth motion. I found it easier to tap, then back out a ways, then go forward again. Halfway through, I would back it all the way out, clear the shavings out, and then go back in to prevent it from really getting stuck in there.

Eventually, when you hit the bottom of the hole, it gets super easy. That’s how you know you’re done. When finishing, it was much easier to free the tap from the handle and just unscrew it like a regular screwdriver without the ratcheting function.

Right around here, it starts getting super easy to tap

Yay! I timed the last hole tap and it took me 4 minutes and 15 seconds to do; that’s with me taking my time, backing all the way out halfway through, cleaning up shavings. Easy does it. The first one probably took something like 10 minutes. I have to say working around my roll up tonneau cover really gets the back aching. LOL.

Screws took a T45 driver bit.

Boom! Done! MUCH easier than I thought it’d be!

Bedside Anchors

Bed Side Anchors
- Cost: $20 (4 anchors) + $7.50 (25 screws) = $27.50
- Bought some anchors off Amazon which fit perfectly with the Maverick’s pre-drilled, unthreaded, M6 holes.
- Also bought M6x1.0 – 25mm screws. Decided on the flange head, but you don’t have to
- Sadly, I never did end up installing these, because I couldn’t find what I did with them, and then I sold the Maverick.

Tag: install

DIY: 2022 Ford Maverick Tailgate Liner Install

2022 Ford Maverick Tie Down Anchors

Ford OEM D-Ring Floor Anchors

Materials

Install

Bedside Anchors