Hello it's me again. My '51 F1 had two tailgates in the bed of it when I bought it. They look identical except for the bracket where the chain hooks into is up high on one of them (on top of upper roll) and down lower (under the upper roll) on the other. Also, at the bottom roll, one has stubby bars that come out of it and the other is hollow......???? Which one is the right one for my truck?

 

BOTH! ...........(or the one that fits)

This is from the Sacramento antique ford website, it would appear that in mid 1950 Ford changed the tailgate to accommodate the change in the box rolls.

Depending on what year the box is, you must have one of each so try and fit one.

Please don’t take me wrong, but you will learn more and remember it better if you do all the research you can and use the search feature on this site (when you are allowed) and then ask, we will be glad to answer.



08421 TAILGATE- late 1950 and 1951-52 STEEL
Late 1950-52 Sold each. Chain bracket below roll. Additional $7.50 shipping charge. Page 249 2009PT

 

In the middle of the 50 production year Ford made a few changes to the 50 model trucks. Specifically, the bed sides were no longer panelled, the rear fenders were modified to fit the new bed, and the tailgate was changed.

The tailgate with the pins on the bottom (which might have been installed by a PO, and may come out) and the chain latch plates in the center of the roll is a 48-early 51 tailgate.

The one with the chain latch plate welded on the bottom of the upper tailgate rolled edge top is for mid 51 and 52.