Hi for the tailgates with the trim, is there a way to take it off and just be normal or is it different?

 

If you mean the ones with the large stainless panel in the middle, then no, there are a whole wack of holes in behind

 

The ones with the stainless panel you can take it off, but then the holes in the tailgate where the panel mounts will be exposed. This will allow all kinds of stuff to get in there especially water, which will promote rust, probably pretty quickly.

I think you can fill them, but I'm not exactly sure how, or at least how to do it properly. I would just leave it or find a tailgate that doesn't have the panel from a donor truck. Don't buy an aftermarket replacement panel, as they are flimsy and no where near the quality of the original Ford ones.

My truck has the panel, but I just haven't put it on yet. Here's a pic of what it looks like without the panel. See the 6 like quarter sized holes where the panel mounts. And I think there's two small screw sized holes on each side by the taillights as well.

 

We had the tailgate panel off on our 89 F350s old bed the tailgate got so rusted and filled with dirt that the thing weighed more then the bed. If you want to take it off take off the whole tailgate and get a donor one. I personally prefer the tailgate panel. Even our 86 (different gate) has the problem of the wholes and really it is falling apart without the gate.
Trav


Here is a pic of my 88 F150s rear tailgate it is one that was original without the panel:

 

So on the tailgates with the trim like mine, they have "FORD" behind the trim?

 

Well based on mine I would have to say yes. But other than that I really don't know. Mines an 88, I'm not sure what year yours is but, maybe it changed in different years. I think all XLT and Lariats came with them, so maybe they have the letters under the panels as well. Sorry, but like I said I really don't know, other than what my truck has? But I'm sure someone will know, so maybe someone will chime in soon with some info. Or maybe you could just take yours off and see, but I'm not sure how hard that panel is to get on and off, so it may not be worth the time...

 

Our 89 F350 had the letters underneath along with the 93 F250 we use to have and both were XLT Lariats. I am not sure on the XLs I always thought that the XLs and customs had like my 88 F150 has. I know I saw a guy at the local swap meet selling a panel and he said his underneath said ford and it was a 96 F350 Lariat.
Trav

 

Mine is a '94. I have a dent in the trim and instead of replacing the trim I've been thinking of getting a plain tailgate and having it shaved so the tailgate handle is no longer there and it will just be smooth. If mine has the big "FORD" underneath the trim, then I may just use my tailgate for the project. I kind of like the way it looks, and it would be different than most tailgates.

 

I like the way the Tailgate looks without the trim on it. I wouldn't think it would be to hard to fill in the holes

 

Yea, I like it too. It really cleans up the rear of the truck. I'm also kind of partial to the trim as well.

 

Even though I am not a fan of bondo I don't see why a little bit of work with bondo would fill in those holes not completely sure. Just a suggestion bondo defiantly would be my last choice if I were you (don't care for trucks that have been bonded.)
Trav

 

The trim is off the tailgate on my '88 just like Jon's truck. I don't have any issue with water and stuff in it, but I'm also not in the rust belt. Yours should have the "Ford" under it. I've got my letters painted bright red.

Here's the best pic I have of my tailgate... This was right after the body lift, so don't mind the bumper hanging low, got that fixed now.

 

the newer ones like my 95 do not have ford stamped under the trim panel. I am not crazy about the trim but i sanded and painted the black strip and it looks much better now. Tailgates that are not trashed are hard to fine around here.