What model year tailgates will fit an 86 f150 8ft bed?

 

80- 96 I believe.

 

Weren't the latches, strikers changed in 1987?? 87-96 will work if those are changed.

 

For a DIRECT fit with no modifications, you need a tailgate from 1983 - 1986.

1980 - 1982 tailgates look the same, but the difference is in the sides. Those tailgates were made for the metal straps, whereas the 1983 - 1986 models used cables.

1987 - 1996 tailgates look similar at first glance, but they are very different. The tailgate handle is located higher up than the 1980 - 1986 tailgates.

 

But the 1980-82 tailgates should still be a direct replacement as long as you get it with the metal straps and the studs on the bed that fit the slots on the straps, no? The 1983-86 studs do not have flats to allow the straps to come off and drop the tailgate. Personally I like the 1980-82 system better.

 

If you got all the hardware, and converted everything over, it would probably fit. Might require some hole drilling and other modifications.

 

If you try to put straps on a later tailgate or the cable system latches on an early tailgate then you have to modify the tailgate itself... But as long as you get the ~complete tailgate the only difference on the box is the type of studs that the straps or cables attach to.

 

1980/86: TWO different F100/350 Styleside tailgates.

EOTZ-9940700-A .. Styleside Tailgate = 1980/82: The R & L latches and tailgate supports (aka scissors) are a one piece assembly.

E5TZ-9940700-B (replaced E3TZ-9940700-B) .. Styleside Tailgate = 1983/86 (see lower pic): The tailgate is supported by R & L cables that are not made as part of the latches.

1983/86: R & L latches and cables are different than 1987/91.

1980/86: The tailgate handle and the tailgate hinges are different than 1987/91.

1983/86's have tailgate opening hinge inserts (430B22 in pic) that are different than 1987/91.

 

I put a 96 gate on my 86. You need to locate and drill the striker bolts. You need to change the hinge cups, the ones on the 96 were smaller. Also the cups needed a few washers to space them out along with the striker bolts. The 96 gate seems to be a bit narrower than the stock 86 opening. If you want to look search my posts. I believe i added pics to my build thread.

 

I found one from an 89 I believe, for $75.00. Mounted on my 84. Decent shape, found out about the latch difference after I got home. Trip back to the yard! I think the hinge cups worked good, they could stand to be shimmed, to take up some slack.