The refreshed 2024 Ford F-150 reinvigorates the lineup with quite a few updates and changes, featuring the turbocharged Ford 2.7L V6 EcoBoost as standard across the board, revisions inside and out for the range-topping F-150 Raptor, and a slew of updates for the off-road-ready Tremor. One of the more notable aspects of the refreshed model is that of the optional Pro Access Tailgate, which makes loading and unloading the bed quite a bit easier than the standard tailgate design. Ford Authority Executive Editor Alex Luft had the chance to check the handy feature in person at the 2023 Detroit Auto Show and sample what it’s like to use it.
Of course, despite how fancy it is, the Pro Access Tailgate can be accessed like a normal tailgate, operated by pressing a concealed button on the top of the liftgate, directly above The Blue Oval insignia. From here, the tailgate drops down softly, allowing for unobstructed access to the bed.
However, what really makes the Pro Access Tailgate unique is the ability to open the cutout door without lowering the entire panel. This door swings outward instead of down, which makes it useful for accessing the bed while towing with the pickup. Its full swing allows it to open 100 degrees, although it can also be locked at 37 degrees or 70 degrees, should the owner need to access the bed without hitting an obstruction like a trailer jack. This part of the tailgate is identifiable by the two prominent vertical cutlines, and can be accessed by pressing a button on the driver’s side of the panel.
Another handy feature is that of the optional rear bumper step, which takes the place of the integrated bumper step. The step is affixed to the lower part of the rear bumper and operated by pulling it away from the truck.
Pricing and availability for the 2024 Ford F-150 Pro Access Tailgate has not been made available as of this writing, but as previously reported by Ford Authority, pricing for pickup itself starts at $36,570 for the base XL trim. Production is expected to begin on December 18th, 2023.
We’ll have more on the 2024 Ford F-150 soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for the latest Ford F-Series news, Ford F-150 news, and comprehensive Ford news coverage.
Comments
I am a Ford guy all the way and own an F150 Lariat. I hate to say it but Ford has a long way to go to catch GM on a versatile tailgate. What we need is a Ford truck with a GM tailgate.
John
Great job here Ford.
So a crappies version of Ram’s tailgate.
Crappy
Sorry, Ford. Ram has had that tailgate in production for a least a year already.
The joke is you and your constant trolling
How many would actually want that? All I see is a way more expensive, less durable and reliable tailgate.
What they should offer to pros is a bed with drop sides and factory tip option.
I’m not asking for much. I don’t want a bed. I want a tray with fold sides. Bed boxes, drawer in the back and the headache rack to have cleats on the side. I want a actual 6 seat vinyl floor truck that is actually worth a f*** if they want the ridiculous price tags of today it better be a truck that I’m having for more then a few years before it is worn out.
If parked next to a sidewalk, the way that door swings makes it difficult to load items from the sidewalk. What is the reason for not opening to the left? Common sense says, sidewalk to bed, not; sidewalk, around the door, then to bed.
It is very sad FORD discontinued the F150 Limited. I had a leased 2018 Limited, tried to order a 21 model in red and FORD dropped red in the 2021 Limited. I bought out my lease. I honestly really wanted another Navigator (owned 3) but the gear shifter disappeared in the 2018 model so I cancelled the order and ordered the F150. The Lincoln designers indicated the shifter would reappear in the 2025 Navigator. No such thing is happening. I then talked to my FORD dealer about ordering a 2025 F150 and found the Limited was discontinued last year. Does FORD not realize people want a deluxe truck??? They dropped the Lincoln truck years ago and the Limited worked well instead. The Platinum Plus does not cut it – I don’t like the name. Four weeks ago I found a low, low mileage 2022 F150 Limited gas version I purchased immediately. The seller of the 2022 traded it for a 7 series BMW his wife wanted. He told me this was now the first time in 30 years he had not owned a FORD F150. He owned 6 Limited F150s plus a Platinum. He too does not like the Platinum Plus name. This was not a “Better Idea” by FORD. So now FORD does not have a top-of-the-line F150 Nameplate and the Navigator is missing the F150 shifter (Ford engineers need to pull a trailer and find out the importance of the thumb downshifter). I am a Lincoln car collector and a large FORD stockholder. I think FORD needs to think through some of it’s decisions.