At least that is what I remember from back in the day when people were buying them new. A couple of friends bought the xlt and removed the silver plate and remove the plastic bracket and repainted the letters. If you have the plate you should also have the letters. I doubt Ford would change the tailgate just for the cover.
took 4 screws out of the cover
and it stayed on.
so i started prying back a corner to see and there are i believe 6 plastic brackets. i was disappointed.
took the cover off and the plastic brackets are screwed on from the inside of the bed.
so i unscrewed my drop in bed liner, and took the brackets out.
i mean i have the FORD stamped letters... but now i have holes in my tailgate... really disappointed. i love the letters, and want to paint them, but first off i have holes in my tailgate!!! second off idk what colors really.
do the holes matter besides aesthetics?