Tailgate question
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New User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 4
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From: Orlando Florida
Tailgate question
Ok I tried to seach around before I asked.I didn't find the answer so here it goes..
I'm trading a friend of mine a 1991 Buick Century wagon for his 1985 F150...300 six and a 4spd on the floor...The trucks beat up but runs well and has potential to me..It's missing the tailgate though.Will a tailgate from a later year fit properly?I'm trying to make as wide a search as possible to get one cheap.
Thank you for your time.I am sure I will have many other questions in the future.And hopefully a few answers too.
Chris
I'm trading a friend of mine a 1991 Buick Century wagon for his 1985 F150...300 six and a 4spd on the floor...The trucks beat up but runs well and has potential to me..It's missing the tailgate though.Will a tailgate from a later year fit properly?I'm trying to make as wide a search as possible to get one cheap.
Thank you for your time.I am sure I will have many other questions in the future.And hopefully a few answers too.
Chris
Thread Starter
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New User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 4
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From: Orlando Florida
Tailgate question
I'm in Orlando Florida......Looking at your locale what I should do is make my friend bring me back one....lol....He's going to be driving the wagon up to Tenn the end of this month.That is as long as all goes as planned.I'm looking foreward to getting the truck to play with.I'm planning on keeping the 6 in it and heating it up some.My first thought was a fuelie HO302 with a T-5 but looking on this site you have all made me take a harder look at the 6.Just to be different I think.Thank you for the reply.
Chris
Chris
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,987
Likes: 7
From: Memphis, TN
Tailgate question
The yard that has them is Choice in Southhaven, MS, but they don't sell to individuals any more - just rebuilders. But they still let me on the yard because I bought stuff before they changed. PM or e-mail me if he comes up here & I'll take him by there.
Junior User
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 58
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From: Seattle USA
Tailgate question
How much do those tailgates go for out there? I have been looking for one for some time for my 84 with no luck. I want a nice example not something that is bent mor ethan the one I have. Thanks!
Kraig
Kraig
New User
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 18
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From: At my house
Tailgate question
I have a '92 tailgate on my '85 F-250. I think all tailgates up to '96 will fit on your '85 truck.
The '92 tailgate makes my truck look newer. So it is well worth it. The only down side is the '92 tailgateis a little heavier, weighing about 50 lbs.
85FordTruck
The '92 tailgate makes my truck look newer. So it is well worth it. The only down side is the '92 tailgateis a little heavier, weighing about 50 lbs.
85FordTruck
Junior User
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 58
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From: Seattle USA
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 230
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Tailgate question
My '86 has a 90something tailgate on it. Looks great, only other mod I'm gona do back there are some later tail light lens. The smooth ones are a straight swap for the *block* kind
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Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,987
Likes: 7
From: Memphis, TN
Tailgate question
I thought the hinges AND latches were different from '86 to '87 - I know the '87-up gates have more silencers & gaskets on the bed. I thought you'd have to swap lots of parts to put a late t/g on an early truck, but I'm a Bronco owner. 
I've never priced a t/g there, and I didn't see any loose ones there yesterday. They're closed on weekends.
I've never priced a t/g there, and I didn't see any loose ones there yesterday. They're closed on weekends.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,330
Likes: 17
From: Dryden, ON, Canada
Tailgate question
The cables and newer latches came in in 85, older uses the metal straps. I can go and put a newer 'gate on my 86 bed without a problem, not that I'd want to install the newer gate without the matching bed....
Evan
Evan
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,408
Likes: 5
From: Parkesburg PA
Tailgate question
JC Whitney has replacement gates for $69.95. They don't have any hardware, but if all you can find used is a rusted p.o.s. then you could get the hardware off that and move it over.
Also I don't think it has FORD stamed on it.
The PN is 81ZS9450P, and their website is www.jcwhitney.com
David -=83 F100 - 300 4spd 4x2=-
Also I don't think it has FORD stamed on it.
The PN is 81ZS9450P, and their website is www.jcwhitney.com
David -=83 F100 - 300 4spd 4x2=-
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 18,488
Likes: 22
From: The Big, Oregon
Tailgate question
You can swap a later gate onto an earlier bed, but not the other way around. The later gates have a larger size hinge, so they might make a little noise, but other than that, they fit quite nicely.
Junior User
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
From: Seattle USA
Tailgate question
Does anyone have a picture of the later gate on the earleir bed? I have been looking for gate for my 84, but most are worse than the one I have. JC whitney gates are garbage and you can get them from Ford for $350. Ouch!
What years work and what wont?
Thanks!
What years work and what wont?
Thanks!
Tuned
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 276
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Tailgate question
Now I have to track down a truck... there's a guy who drives a 76' or so F-150 ext. cab that's been pretty well restored, he has the 92'-96' chrome rims on it but I found the most interesting thing to be the tailgate, it's definitly an 87'-96' model with the XLT plate and black trim. At first I thought it was the XLT plate on the old 76' tailgate, but a close look revealed an entire swap. I don't think it's an exact bolt-on though.