drug this tailgate from out back and can't remember what year of truck it came off of,anyone know what year? thanks

 

Anywhere from 1980-1984.

Most have a black stripe on the bottom section of the tailgate panel, it appears that yours just has the thin black lines that go around the sections.

 

Yep.

That is a tailgate from a 1980 - 1984 truck, although it will fit the 1985 - 1986 models also. The difference is the tailgate aluminum insert. The style on your tailgate was used from 1980 - 1984, while the 1985 - 1986 used a larger aluminum insert.

 

What does the tailgate support hardware look like? That would further narrow down the year it came off of.

 

here's a pic of hardware

 

The metal tailgate supports on the side denote a 1980-1982 if I recall correctly.

As for that tailgate panel, the lack of the black stripe on the bottom would mean it is from an XLT truck, as the Lariat should have a black strip across the bottom. Now, the original black strips are easy to peel off with age, so it may have had the black strip before, so it's impossible to really tell what trim package it belongs to.

You wouldn't happen to have any more tailgates with an extra set of letters would you?

 

this is the XL i'm putting the gate on,nope no more but i'll keep a eye out for a set

 

lol, alright. Thanks Randy!

 

I found a set of letters on ebay. I'm not sure if they are the right ones.

1980'S FORD BRONCO TAILGATE PROJECT CAR VAN LETTERS | eBay

Or a whole tailgate:

1980-1983 Ford F-100 Tailgate | eBay

 

The first set looks like them, but the guy cut the stems off. I need a set with the mounting stems still on them. But thanks for keeping an eye out for me Dennis!

 

No problem. A while back I saw some in the OEM packages, maybe some more will show up.

 

Tailgate is definately from a 1980-1982.

Part Number: E0TZ-9940700-A: Fits 1980-1982 with metal support arms.

The Tailgate Trim panel will fit 1980-1981 Ranger XLT, Ranger Lariat, or 1982-1984 XLT or XLT Lariat. (The black insert is missing)

Part Number: E0TZ-99425A34-A for the panel.
Part Number: E0TZ-9940282-A : XLT Tailgate Nameplate
Part Number: E0TZ-9940282-B : Lariat Tailgate Nameplate

 

For extra fun, the 1978-1979 Ranger Lariat cowl panel badges are actually the same size as the Lariat emblems on the 80+ tailgate panels. I don't know if they're the same part number, but the dimensions are exactly the same.

 

I have both, and they are different. They are close, but the 1978 - 1978 "Lariat" cowl panel emblems are actual emblems with a chrome surround in a casing that has two pegs behind it for mounting. The "Lariat" emblem from 1980 -1981 was actually just the insert itself that was placed inside the 1978 - 1979 cowl emblems. As a result, the 1980 - 1981 emblems are thinner because they do not have the chrome surround and casing and only have an adhesive backing.

 

Could you share pics with me via PM?