Tailgate swap (another thread)
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Tuned
Joined: Apr 2008
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Tailgate swap (another thread)
I've been searching through posts and havent been able to find any photos or definitive answer on tailgate swapping. I have an 82 f100 that someone stole my tailgate off of. I've read in several places I can swap in a newer style from an 87+. A junkyard close by has a couple for reasonable $$ but I cant actually see how the swap would go without have to weld on some nuts for the latch posts to screw into. Does anyone have any photos of doing this sort of swap or have specifics on how this would be accomplished??
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Never converted one from straps to cables, which you would have to do. Is there a way to take the tailight out and be able to get to the back of that area to put nuts and washers on the new components?
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Tuned
Joined: Apr 2008
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Yes and no. I could get one on easy enough, but I dont think I could get a wrench in there to tighten it. I thought I'd have to measure three times and spot weld a nut into place, which would kill any idea of being able to reposition the striker bolt for adjustment.
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From: Virginia
In some instances I have made small plates, welded the nuts to the plate, and then slipped it in place. If you weld two nuts on one plate, one bolt will hold the other from turning the whole plate. Or sometimes if you make the plate big enough, it will swing around and hit something and let you be able to tighten it. And using a plate will let you adjust it.
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Tuned
Joined: Apr 2008
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In some instances I have made small plates, welded the nuts to the plate, and then slipped it in place. If you weld two nuts on one plate, one bolt will hold the other from turning the whole plate. Or sometimes if you make the plate big enough, it will swing around and hit something and let you be able to tighten it. And using a plate will let you adjust it.
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Cargo Master
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From: Northern VA
FWIW, the consensus is that the new Taiwan made tailgates are total crap and to be avoided. I find originals all of the time.
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Tuned
Joined: Apr 2008
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Well I ditched the idea of a newer style tailgate. It "could" work, but too much hassle for me. The hinges are different sizes (not a big deal) but the spot where I need to drill a hole for the striker bolt is severely angled. I'd have to jerry rig some sort of shim for both front and back and its just too much work. On a plus side, I did find an 83 tailgate which isnt too far away (50 miles) so I'll just nab that one instead.
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