Can someone tell me what size are the bolts on an F250 1971 tailgate? Mine never had one and I am planning to buy one with the hinges at the junk yard... So I want to make sure I take the right size socket.

Is removing the tailgate as easy as removing the 8 bolts on the hinges? The two lower bolts on each side seem a bit inaccessible with the tailgate in the way. I dont think the socket would fit there, I may need a wrench, right?

Thanks guys, I did a quick search but did not find the size on the bolts

 

There should only be two bolts on each side to get the tailgate off. Can't say for sure, but either 1/2 or 9/16" socket will get them(I'm thinking more like the 9/16"). Take the bottom one off with gate up, upper bolt with gate in down position.

If that one has 8 bolts, did Ford change something after 1970? My '67, 69 and 70 were all two bolt.

 

2) C4TZ-9943400-A .. Styleside Tailgate Hinge / Right/Left is the same.

4) 372421-S39 .. Bolt & Washer-Tailgate Hinge to Body / Hex head 3/8" -24 x 1" (3/8" is the thread size, not the wrench size) / Takes 2 per side.

Applications: 1964/66 F100/250 2WD / 1966 F100 4WD / 1967/72 F100/350 /// Note: 1964/65 F100/250 4WD; 1964/66 F350; 1966 F250 4WD used 1957/60 Styleside Beds.
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September 1966: Ford replaced the '64/66 F100/250 2WD, 1966 F100 4WD Styleside tailgate (C4TZ-9940700-A) with the 1967 (1967/72) Styleside tailgate (C7TZ-9940700-A) for use as a service part replacement.

All the mounting hardware is the same. The tailgates look the same at a glance, but '67/72's have smaller FORD block letters which are surrounded by a raised ovate scallop line.

1973/79: The Styleside tailgate, hinges and bolts are not the same as above, but the hinges still use two bolts per side.

 

I didn't think so Bill. I just wonder where he saw 8 bolts at?

Kinda figured they were 3/8" thread which makes them 9/16" wrench.