What is the year range for this tailgate? I get the impression that these ran all the way into the 70s.

 

Hi tlak, That year range for "flareside" bed tailgates ran from 1953 to 1972.
Kenny

 

Thanks,

 

Are there also tailgates similar in design but with different measurements? Becuase I pulled one off a bed in a junkyard and it was about 4 inches too wide on each side to fit my 56. I've already cut it to fit for lack of finding another one, but I'm just curious. Thanks

Craig

 

Hmmm, Were the "F O R D" letters on the tailgate 10-1/4" tall tubular type lettering, small block letters, or in script writting?
Kenny

 

Kenny, I hope it wasn't script with V8 on it... I might have to cry but then I want to know where the rest of the truck is!!!!
John

 

the 3/4 ton trucks had a wider bed than the 1/2 ton. The 73-79 Stepside used the wider tailgate on both sizes. A 53 3/4 ton will fit all 73-79's.

 

It looked exactly the same as a 53-56 tailgate, same lettering, two parallel vertical bars (with the exception of custom louvers) but when I brought it home and put it up to my truck it was too wide. I'm guessin it was the 350 stepside I ripped it off of. Thanks

Craig

 

Whats special about the script V8 tailgate/truck?

 

I bought a new 52 tailgate for my 54 because I like the looks of the script better. The vender didn't tell me, but I learned later that the 50 tailgate has the chain ears in the same place as the 54, whereas the 52 has them lower.

I wasn't planning on using the chain ears, intending instead to use cables, but so far haven't found any that work well.

The 52 gate fits exactly on the 54 bed with no problem.

I had already spoiled the original look by installing a 53 grill.

Winford