Best Ford Maverick Tailgate & Lift-Support Upgrades

Ask a Maverick owner what surprised them most about their truck and a lot of them will land on the same thing: for a vehicle this well thought-out, Ford left the tailgate completely undamped. Pop the latch and the gate free-falls — fast, heavy, and hard on the cables. It’s the kind of small daily annoyance that one inexpensive bolt-on part fixes permanently, and it’s exactly why the single most-reviewed accessory on this entire site is a Maverick tailgate assist strut.

This roundup covers the upgrades that make the Maverick physically easier to use — the struts and lift supports that turn a two-handed heave into a one-finger motion, plus the bed-access details worth doing while you’re back there. Everything here is a direct-fit part for the 2022–2026 truck. Browse the full exterior category and the suspension & lift-support category for more, and use the eBay Motors buttons below for used or OEM struts and hardware.

1. A tailgate assist strut — the one to buy first

If you do one thing to this truck, do this. A Maverick tailgate assist kit adds a single gas strut that slows the tailgate’s drop to a smooth, controlled float and gives you spring-back help on the close. No more slam, no more pinched fingers, no more strain on the factory cables. It’s a no-drill, bolt-on install that most owners finish in well under fifteen minutes with basic hand tools — and with thousands of owner reviews behind it, it’s the most proven functional mod on the platform. This is the highest daily-satisfaction dollar you can spend on a Maverick.

2. A single-strut alternative kit

Not every assist kit is identical, and it’s worth having a backup pick. This 1-piece tailgate assist does the same job — controlled drop, assisted close — with a slightly different bracket design that some owners prefer for its lower profile inside the bed rail. Same 2022–2026 fitment, same no-drill install. If the first pick is out of stock or you want a cleaner-looking mount, this is the one to grab.

3. Hood lift supports — the same fix, up front

The tailgate isn’t the only place the Maverick skimps on struts. On the base trucks the hood is held up by a manual prop rod, which is fine until you’re leaning over the engine bay in the dark with a flashlight in one hand. A set of bolt-on hood lift supports replaces the prop rod with gas struts so the hood rises and holds on its own — both hands free for the actual work. It’s the natural companion upgrade to a tailgate assist: same idea, same easy install, applied to the front of the truck. Confirm gasoline vs. hybrid hood fitment on the listing before ordering.

4. Seal up the tailgate hole cover

While you’re back at the tailgate, finish the job. The factory gate has an open recess that traps water, leaves, and road salt over time. A molded tailgate hole cover snaps into that cavity to seal it off — it cleans up the rear-end look and keeps grime out of the mechanism. It’s a couple of dollars and five minutes, and it’s the kind of detail that makes a used Maverick look cared-for. A glove-box damper applies the same soft-close idea to the cabin if you want to chase every rattle and slam out of the truck.

How to buy

• New assist struts, lift supports, and covers: Amazon Automotive — the picks above, or browse the exterior and suspension categories.
• Used or OEM tailgate struts, hinges, and latch hardware: eBay Motors, via the search buttons below — the right marketplace when you need a factory Ford part number or a take-off assembly for a repair.

If you’re outfitting a bone-stock truck, the order is easy: tailgate assist first (it’s the one you’ll notice every day), then hood lift supports, then the small sealing and soft-close details. None of it requires drilling, and the whole cluster costs less than a single dealer accessory.

For more Maverick upgrades, see our exterior accessories roundup, the towing accessories top-list, and the full guides library.