Does anyone know how to remove the tail light lense assemblies? And the tail gate exterior lower trim panel?

 

1) Remove the 2 access panels for the tailights on the tailgate.
2) Remove both tail lights (it makes removing the panel easier).
3) Locate the screws that are exposed on the backside of the tailgate. I also think there is 1 screw on each side by the tail lights. It has been awhile since I removed mine.
4) Pull panel out. You may break a few clips in the process.

 

Thanks. Will try it again this weekend.

There are 4 acorn nuts and 4 sheet metal screws that are visible without removing the panels, and I found 2 each nuts on each tail light, plus 2-4 sheet metal screws accessible with the center panel removed.

But with gentle tugging, the exterior panel still would not come off. When you mention the clips that might break, are they clips that are part of the exterior panel, or are they part of the attached to the metal tail gate? I'm okay breaking the clips on the old panel when I remove it. I'll be ticked off if they're part of the metal tail gate.

Let me know. And thanks.

 

The clips just slide into notches on the trim panel and pop into the gate. They are separate pieces that are not integral to either sheetmetal or plastic rear trim panel.