How hard to swap out power liftgate hatches?

[Ace3166]

Hi, new to the forum, hopefully i can get some help.

I had a 2008 Expedition EL limited that was in a front end collision and totalled.
I found an identical Expedition and and would like to try and swap out the hatches because the new one has some paint bubbling on it.

Just wondering how hard this would be to do? Interior panel is the same,so it would be the complete hatch, we wouldn't have to transfer any parts.

Thanks in advance

 

[mrford60]

if they are the same year you would have to change the rear wiring harness and the fuse box in the rh kick panel and maybe the dash harness because of the switch in the dash to make it all work. if they are not the same year I wouldn't try it.

 

[Ace3166]

They are both power liftgates, so it should be a matter of unplugging harnesses.
I will see what it looks like in the morning. I have to do it in the insurance yard in the cold weather. Don't really have enough help so i think I may just leave alone. Son has a friend at a body shop that can prep and repaint.
Actually paid less for this one than insurance is giving me for old one, so I have some extra cash to throw in it.

Also did some research and found out hatch was aluminum and it is a common Ford paint prep issue. make me feel much better. Was worried about rust.

Stupid me didn't realize when test driving that the dealers magnetic plate wouldn't stick to the back because it was aluminum.

 

[mrford60]

if that is the case it is just a few bolts and a couple of plugs. ez swap