Hey fellas,
Looking to purchase a new and rust-free tailgate. The new tailgate is from a 2011 pickup...will it fit my Dad's 2003 F350?

Thanks guys!

 

Yupp. Just need a $20 part from the dealer for the torsion bar in the new tailgate.

 

A torsion bar? Hmm...sounds good to me, is this a common part one of the experts here, or someone who has recently done the swap, may know the part number for?

I'm still stuck back in the 80's and 90's with my trucks, my Dad's 2003 F350 crew cab longbed 2wd 7.3/auto has a 180k on the ticker and has served us flawlessly for 3 beautiful cross country vacations with a slide-in camper (And way too many weekend camping trips to Maine or Pennsylvania to count!). The New England curse of rust has started to chew away at the tailgate and this brand new take-off from a 2011 is rust-free for $500 and will look perfect!

Thanks again guys!

 

I will see if I can find the number. How ever if you go to a parts counter they will usually be able to figure out what part you're talking about in about 10 seconds.

 

Here is your part number:
4L3Z-83430B39-AA

 

This looks like a good thread to expand on, what I don't have is a tailgate at all, no hardware, nothing. What I would like to know what years fit, models, and does the key lock come with anything that fits? I have a 2001 F350, Thanks, Artie

 

Tailgates that will fit your truck:
# 1997-2003 F150
# 1999-2007 F250-F550
# 2007-2012 F250-F550 (New look; requires hinge)

I dont understand your question regarding the key.

 

tailgate lock (if so equipped) I have seen them and don't know if its an option or included on certain packages. It looks like the tailgate handle's bezel has the provision for a key lock set, I would imagine that the tailgate is the same and the bezel on the handle is different? That's what I would like to know, Thanks, Artie

 

All tail gates have a lock.

 

Mine doesnt. When swapping tailgates last year I switched the handles to keep the non-locking one.

 

Hmm. I've never seen one. Maybe early XLs?

 

When you buy a new takeoff tailgate, the job is simple to swap. The left side bracket that bolts to the area just below the tailgate needs to be swapped to the newer design. Once thats done, the tailgate just clips right in. For the lock cylinder in the new tailgate, I removed it, gave it to a locksmith who rekeyed it to my existing key, and then reinstalled it, as the key blank grooves are the same. Easy, very easy.

 

Possibly. Mines a '99 XL, never thought twice of it.

But here it is:
Buy.com - 99-07 FORD PICKUP TRUCK: F250 SUPER DUTY TAILGATE HANDLE (W/O LOCK HOLE)

 

Would parts swap from truck to truck? A friends son runs a body shop and he has a customer looking for a older tailgate. He doesn't like the handle in his because it gets in his way. I have a 99, his is a 09 or 10. Would we need any parts to swap or would hinges and locks all interchange from truck to truck? This deal just came up and figured someone here would know. I haven't been able to put trucks side by side yet. Thanks

 

I believe that as long as the left bracket thingy stays with the tailgate it works with, they should swap out. So you would be trading the tailgates AND the bracket deal.