Ford Flairside MAR-K Hidden Tailgate Hinge Install - Break the Chains!

Double-check your template position and then mark the bedside through the two small 1/8-inch-diameter holes in the template. These will be the location for the latch striker and the upper link mounting position.

Remove the template and center-punch these locations. Carefully drill 5/16-inch holes through the bedside. Remove the burrs from both holes. Repeat the previous steps for the other side. It's always good to start drilling with a 1/8-inch pilot hole to avoid the drill bit wandering and damaging the surrounding area.

Using the provided 5/16-18 button-head screws, install the latch strikers in the upper hole on each bedside. The latch striker can be held with a 9/16-inch wrench while tightening the button-head screw. Next, install the link assembly pivot onto each bedside in the lower holes using the button heads, but first install a stainless flat washer. This keeps the link assembly from rubbing directly on the bedside. The link assembly pivot can be held with a 7/16-inch wrench while tightening the button-head screw. Position the flats of the pivot horizontal as shown and both of these items should be on the inside of the bedside with the button heads on the outside.

With that out of the way, reattach the tailgate and hinges, again using the masking tape mark for the hinge location reference. Support the tailgate in the horizontal or open position for now. Bolt the new latches to the tailgate on both ends. Each latch has an actuating arm with a nut fixed to it that must fit through the slot in the tailgate as shown and can't be mixed side for side.

Each latch is held to the tailgate with two metric M6-1.0x45mm long Torx screws provided in the kit. Use a T25 Torx driver to tighten these. If you don't have a Torx driver, a handy fold-out combination version should be available at your local hardware or home improvement store. You should be able to see the actuating arm and nut through the slotted hole in the tailgate skin.

The latches are released by a small knurled black knob; each of these needs to have a threaded aluminum spacer fitted to it before installing...

...Thread the spacer onto the knob completely and then thread the knob into the tailgate latch through the slotted hole-pretty slick, huh?

Bolt the new MAR-K link assemblies to each end of the tailgate. These are held in place by two 1/4-20x3/4-inch button-head Torx screws also provided in the kit. Use a T27 Torx driver to tighten the hardware. Yes, the link assembly is much like a hinge, but for clarity between it and the lower tailgate hinge, we'll call it a link, which is also how MAR-K refers to it.

Now, lift the tailgate while directing the link assembly arms to the pivots attached to the bedsides. The link assembly arms will need to be folded in the upward direction for this to match the horizontal flats in the pivot on the bedside. Lift the assembly until the slot in the link will fit onto the pivot.

Lower the tailgate back to the open position.Make sure to release both latches by moving the black knob toward the top of the tailgate so they are ready to latch. This is already a huge improvement over the old chains, as you can see.

Raise the tailgate slowly, making sure that the links fold downward this time...

...Carefully and slowly close the tailgate while checking for any interference. The latches will make a double clicking noise when latched. Release the latches to check for smooth operation. It might be a good idea to have an extra set of eyes watching the other side to avoid any interference problems.