Or was it only the 150's?
I'm looking to buy and put this gate on my '97 but didn't know if this trim should be left off after I paint.
Thanks.

 

There are usually, many ,,large holes on the outside of the gate to accomodate the finish panel being mounted .....

 

But if they came with the panel I'll try adding the F250HD badging. If not then I'm still ahead of the rust on my old one. It's not "that" big of a deal but if it wasn't stock I may just fill the holes... beats the rust!

 

If you're getting rid of the old because of rust, then a tailgate is a tailgate. If the tailgate trim matches your current scheme, great. If not, what's the diff, you're getting rid of rust. Rust is a bad thing IMHO.

Put the tailgate on as is, see how it looks, if you like it that way, keep it that way. If you don't like it that way, match it to your truck.

That tailgate looks like it's in great shape, too. Good find.

 

I can't see the photo (stupid net filter) but if your question is "did the 97 F250/350 come with the aluminum panel on the tailgate" the answer would be no. But like Craig IDMooseMan said, if it looks good who friggin' cares if it came factory that way. Beware though, if you intend to keep the truck (I see it's for sale) then the plastic clips that hold them on break all the dang time. You CAN get new ones from Ford, don't let Ford tell you otherwise. I can get you the part number for them if you like.

 

Here's my problem...
I'm really ****-retentive. I had a 65 Mustang that I restored (see pic link is sig block) and I really wanted to modify it after a few years but I had it so close to factory stock I just couldn't get myself to do it. So bad in fact that I sold it to a friend who wanted it something fierce so I could find a less "correct" car to play with.

So, after that bit of background on me, I have to say that if I had that trim on it and it wasn't supposed to be there... well, I could live with it but it would bug the Heck out of me!
And besides, the new bed is in the bodyshop so now's the time for me to get the tailgate done, too.

You'll think I'm nuts but it looks like the trim will have to go.

 

Take the inspection cover off on the inside ,,you should be able to see the holes ,,,may help you make up your mind ....there are alot of them ....

Also possible its on with adheasive two sided tape

Not many want them ,,can't be repaired when dented ,,, & they cost $533.00 new...

 

they're all about the size of a nickel too!

 

Yikes.
Rethinking.....

 

A local body shop charged a friend of mine $450.00 for the trim and chrome like that to put on a tailgate.
That was for the trim only NO tailgate!

 

I can believe that if he bought it through Ford.
Ford is doing this work, also, since they cut a thousand bucks off to use it as fill work - $1800 to repair, paint and mount the box and tailgate, repair some rust starting where the mirrors mount and repaint the white on both doors, small repair work to the right front fender and paint and repaint the rock guard under the grill.
They said to restripe the truck was going to cost $700 for the striping! Ack!! They are going to restripe it using 3M products and recreate the original stripes.

Should look like new when done since the interior is nearly flawless.

 

Yep, those holes are big- probably bigger than a nickel I'd guess. The best way to patch them would be to cut a "fill panel" and weld it in SLOWLY.. even then I would be scared of warping the metal. Your best to find a tailgate without the panel if it will bug you that much.

 

my 96 has the panel. i don't believe the 97hd trucks had it. i think the 97s only had a plain tailgate with the ford badge in the corner. i would paint it and put the panel back on. it won't hurt anything

 

yeah i have a 97 hd and it has the plain tailgate. is your 96 an HD?

 

there's no hd/ld designation in 96. they called our body style trucks hd in 97 because of the rare 250s (ld) that looked like the new 150s in 97