We are building a new tailgate for a customer at the shop. I believe that it is for a '09 F-350. It has the built in step. His original tailgate was STOLEN! The cost for the new tailgate is $3,400.00. It has to be built from all the individual parts as we cannot order a complete tailgate. It is just not available new. This is an insurance job. Use the hose clamp trick to keep someone from lifting yours off of the pivots. Use the lock to keep the gate closed. Hell get a cable and find a way to attach it to the tailgate and use a badass padlock to lock it to the tie-down in the bed.

 

Wow, no wonder ford doesn't need a bail out. 10 tailgates is almost a mustang.

 

GOD DAM*, Now I feel really guilty.... Guess I shouldnt have taken the one thats on my truck....... A few years ago I let a buddy talk me into taking one from a dealer. Ended up getting OFFERED a job running the citys body shop (gulfport) and then recieved a call from the police chief telling me he couldnt let me have it because of that tail gate. Was never caught, the dealer didnt care (offered to pay them so that it wouldnt look so bad to the city) and the city only found out because I was honest with them....

Why the hell cant you get a junk yard gate. even if the customer is demanding a new gate you could have gotten a damamged yard gate and used the internals.

 

I always lock mine if I am traveling and going to the mall.

 

Parts yard gates are not available either. There are just not enough of the new trucks that have made the transition from usable to parts source. Anyone who has had to replace a tailgate on any truck will understand how difficult it is to locate a decent one. The ones with the step, well, they are one of the most sought after parts in the repair market.

 

OH, you are referring to an 08, This I did not know.... I know where there are a few 08 gates in yards, but none with steps. Now it makes sense.

 

When you put it that way .....

 

thats crazy that they cost so much. is the same key that starts the truck supposed lock the tailgate?

 

Does the 08 gate fit the 05 model??

 

Yep, that's how it is on my '04.

Since I have a truck cap I sometimes keep mildly important stuff back there when we're traveling. It felt like I was constantly locking and unlocking that thing. So, I installed one of those pop & lock power tailgate locks. Works like a champ.

 

dang, thats ridiculous. does the "man step" really add $2500 to the cost of replacing the tailgate?? i had the tailgate stolen off my 2000 a while back(didnt have a lock) and i replaced the whole thing, internals, lock matched to my doors/ignition, cables,trim, rods, etc and had it painted for less than $900. as far as i know you cant order a complete tailgate. i had to piece mine together too. for $3400 i would just leave the tailgate off of it lol.

 

I never even lock my trucks and if i do i don't pull the ing key. I locked a tail gate once back in 97 i believe and it was such a pain i will never lock one again. Ford should drop this worthless feature and spend the money on something good like fender well liners for the rear end so we don't have to buy some from dodge and nobama rig them to fit our cheap built fords.

 

I've read of too many tailgates being stolen before. Here's a 50 cent anti-theft "device". I use this method pictured below.<br><br>
Hose clamp around the right side. The side with the notch. Point the screw driver slot DOWN as shown in the picture so they cant just use a screwdriver or even a quarter to unscrew it. They have to have the correct size box end wrench to unclamp it. It does not interfere with the movement. And yes, lock your tail gates as well...

 

I also have the hose clamp on the right side, and with this nice addition to the tailgate (when your not in a hurry) is one more step between them and your tailgate.

 

I have an extra 08 tailgate with step I bought from craigslist, and the gate is legit. the truck had a fifth wheel added and they used a mesh flow through tailgate instead.