Tailgate swap
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 136
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From: Fort Wayne IN
Tailgate swap
Anyone got info on swapping tailgates on these trucks?
Wondering if the 80s or 90s gates will fit at all. I'm guessing they might not have the right lines but mainly wanting to know it they will fit in the hole.
Thanks
Wondering if the 80s or 90s gates will fit at all. I'm guessing they might not have the right lines but mainly wanting to know it they will fit in the hole.
Thanks
Moderator & parts slinger
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 50,148
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From: S/W Missouri, Polk county
For sure the body lines will be way off.
73-79 bolts on, both sides...80's and up I think has the slip on/off set up on the R/H mount tab. I think...
Also some time they went from hinged straps to cables.
73-79 bolts on, both sides...80's and up I think has the slip on/off set up on the R/H mount tab. I think...
Also some time they went from hinged straps to cables.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,534
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From: penn twp.
That's correct Rich. That was 83 or 84 that they switched to the cable strap from the metal hinges. Also they had to change the latch and strikers to go along with the cable straps. And all of those parts would need to be swapped out and retro fitted to the truck bed for those tailgates to work on a dent.
Moderator & parts slinger
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 50,148
Likes: 5,783
From: S/W Missouri, Polk county
Thanks for the info on that, but IMO an 80's and up tailgate on a 79 (due to the body line misalignment), will look like a dunce hat on a donkey. lol
Here is an earlier 6 something-ish ? to 72? bumpside (?) tailgate on a 79...just not quite right. The handle is hinged from one end...I doubt a 80's and up would line up any better.
But best of luck there Warhawk.
Here is an earlier 6 something-ish ? to 72? bumpside (?) tailgate on a 79...just not quite right. The handle is hinged from one end...I doubt a 80's and up would line up any better.
But best of luck there Warhawk.
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
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From: Simi Valley, CA
1964/66 F100/250 2WD; 1966 F100 4WD; 1967/79 F100/350.
1973/79 F100/350 Styleside tailgates (except the supports) use completely different mounting parts than these 1964/66's & 1967/72.
Not only does the 1973/79 Styleside tailgate look completely different, but the tailgate handle is also different than these 1964/66's and 1967/72.
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 136
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From: Fort Wayne IN
Thanks for the info. I would like to get a Gen 6 tail gate for sure but those are hard to find in good shape. Don't want to order a new one just yet but would be nice to have something to so I can "finish" the bed section.
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Tuned
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 441
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From: Vicksburg, MS
I've been mulling over using an 83/96 tailgate to upgrade mine. I was wondering how hard it would be to use the 83/96 tailgate inside skin and ends to retain all the hardware mounting points and then skin the outside with the dent metal.
I was hoping to find someone who had done something similar, but no luck. It's probably just too much trouble. Maybe just servicing the existing hardware would be best. I'd like to at least swap the metal supports for cables.
I was hoping to find someone who had done something similar, but no luck. It's probably just too much trouble. Maybe just servicing the existing hardware would be best. I'd like to at least swap the metal supports for cables.
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Trailering
Joined: Mar 2026
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My 79 Ford truck does have a 67-72 tailgate and it fits, but the lines do not match
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