Bought it last Thursday and it took a week to get it liscenced and titled because I bought it from a third party and couldn't find the woman who was on the title and it was a mess because her husband was on it too and dead.

Just replaced the lens in my smart phone so I'll post pics tomorrow. Driver's side door hinges are shot, interior handle is broken. Gas guage is not working, tank selector switch is busted...(still works but is flopping around in the dash). The 8 ball aftermarket shift **** came off. Valve cover gasket is shot, power steering pump is leaking, and it was overheating yesterday.

The tailgate is smashed up and locked shut. I bought a tailgate for it, but it was for a stepside and 2 3/4" too wide for the flareside bed....so I'm in the process of shortening it. The headliner has been ripped out and the interior is dirty . Naturally, being a Texas truck , the clearcoat is shot. Got a $229 toolbox for it from Tractor Supply for $49. It's 2" too wide, but for $50.... I don't mind modifying it! Wish it were steel so I could weld it....but I'll make it work.

So....I got a little bit of work to do.

EDIT: Ohhhhh....and the stickshift jumps around in my hand...so it probably needs a motor mount.

 

It probably does need motor mounts, and probably a transmission mount as well. But if the shifter is floppy, don't overlook the bushings for the shifter. Those tend to wear out and cause all kinds of slop in the shifter. They're cheap and easy to replace without having to drop the transmission.

 

So....Having a little trouble loading pics...so may have to edit or double post.

Was gonna provide pics of the truck, but got busy shortening the tailgate...(2 3/4" too wide)....Stepside instead of Flare side....

Sooo...as you can see....I picked a spot to cut out an 1 3/8" section on each side of the inner skin, then overlapped the outer...

 

Seems like a lot of work to avoid getting the right 'gate.

By the way, "Step Side" is GM-speak for Ford's Flare Side. The flat sided beds are called Styleside (Ford) or Fleetside (GM).

 

I hope you got the truck for next to nothing!?
As for a tail gate. I found a rust free one in GA for my 250. In my area they seem to be very hard to come by. I paid 300.00 for it. If you have the ability to narrow your gate and have it looks original I think cool and you're ahead of the game!!

 

BTW: I beg to differ...this has been discussed before....(on this forum....as a matter of fact)....and how do you propose to explain a tailgate that fits neither?

I may be ignorant....but not stupid.....

 

Sooo...Sorry for the sloppy posting...but it's not me...(you wouldn't believe what I have to go through at times to post pics....and they call these "Smartphones! "

 

I'm wondering is the handle going to be in the center?

 

"Next to nothing " is relative to a person's perspective and financial means....the value of said truck is subjective as well....everything in this world is only worth what another human being is willing to give you for it....I gave $1600 for the truck.

 

Yes....I'm taking equal amounts off both ends...

 

Let me get this straight.

You bought a 1994 F150 "FLARESIDE" (pictured).

You bought a tailgate from a "STYLESIDE" bed (red tailgate).

You are cutting it down to fit your new to you "FLARESIDE".

That is a lot of work, but if you have the time, go for it. I does seem like you are making head way on the modification though.

Post pictures when you get the tailgate painted and installed.

BTW, did you do an extensive search for a replacement tailgate before resorting to cutting the wider tailgate down?

 

I kinda figured you would. Looking forward to the finished product!

 

NO!!!!! It's NOT A STYLESIDE Tailgate!!! Y'all need to do some lookin round!!! The tailgate on my truck was 51"....this one was 53 3/4".... stylesideds are danned near 60"...or am I wrong?

And....again...everything in life is relative to your perspective and circumstances...these tailgates aren't THAT common....and I have $60 in the gate...$10...in welding wire and grinding wheels....doing something different for the heel of it: PRICELESS!

Anything you do like this expands your knowledge and horizons...pulling money out of your wallet only makes you broker...and I'm short on money...but long on time...

Look at it this way: this is also a hobby in a way...sooo...how many folks LOSE money on their hobbies?

 

Aftermarket gates are for looks only! As for using aftermarket for a functional gate they are junk! thin metal and poor quality for most all of them. they tend to bend when you walk or drop any weight on them I looked for months! A good used one is still the best way to go. Pricey in some cases but still the better choice if you want to use the gate.

 

I believe my tailgate is 66 and 7/8ths, and it's a style-side.

I don't know what the Flare-side measures, or what tailgate you have, as I don't remember any other factory bed styles for this truck. Could it be from an older truck?