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1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks 1987 - 1996 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350 and larger pickups - including the 1997 heavy-duty F250/F350+ trucks

Tailgate hinges.

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Old May 29, 2022 | 06:15 PM
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Tailgate hinges.

Does anyone know if someone still makes aftermarket / mod tailgate hinges that replace the cables? The old style, not sure when Ford went to cables.

I used to buy them (GM trucks) stainless steel, riveted in the center, I haven’t bought a pair in probably 15 years. It was a place that made them for several different make/model of trucks. I can’t remember who or where I got them from, and can’t find anything in a Google search.

Thanks.
 
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Old May 29, 2022 | 06:24 PM
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I know what you're talking about, but I've not seen them in ages. Kentrol keeps coming to mind, but they only do Jeep Stuff, as far as I know.
 
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Old May 29, 2022 | 06:33 PM
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Thanks Faulken, just looked them up, just Jeep stuff.

Came across these, not what I’m looking for, but interesting. Doesn’t look like they make them for the OBS trucks. Adjustable ratcheting hinges.
https://www.castel-usa.com

These as well, just extra supports when the gate is down.
https://www.dgmtailgatesupport.com/p...lgate-support/

 
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Old May 31, 2022 | 10:08 AM
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Originally Posted by JJF20
Does anyone know if someone still makes aftermarket / mod tailgate hinges that replace the cables? The old style, not sure when Ford went to cables.

I used to buy them (GM trucks) stainless steel, riveted in the center, I haven’t bought a pair in probably 15 years. It was a place that made them for several different make/model of trucks. I can’t remember who or where I got them from, and can’t find anything in a Google search.

Thanks.
there are no cables in the hinge

Unless you mean the things that hold the tailgate at 90 degrees when open. you want to go TO the old metal links? They had a tendancy to be noisy and wear out as they were unlubricated painted steel straps wearing on eachother lol.

I would suspect a 70s bed has them still, not sure if the tailgate side of things would cooperate

do you mean hinges that are quiet/machined that have a elastomer on one side so to be long life and not metal on metal?
 
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Old May 31, 2022 | 10:10 AM
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To be clear you mean these
 
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Old May 31, 2022 | 12:05 PM
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^^^ Yes, that’s correct.

Ive had several cables corrode and break over the years. I much prefer the old style.
 
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Old May 31, 2022 | 12:22 PM
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Originally Posted by JJF20
^^^ Yes, that’s correct.

Ive had several cables corrode and break over the years. I much prefer the old style.
Huh.
Well if you find out if 67-72 beds have the same check links, and if I remember correctly I have them, you can have some of mine. doubtful tho, but maybe
.
Im no expert but I believe reading that the tailgate hardware in the early 80s changed and that means the bedsides would have Something about them different than the bedside on your truck. I dont know what difference it all is, but I can try and see if my dads truck bed trailer(88 f250 rear half) has the old style.

But

Evidently the linkage never changed so if I do indeed have the 67 f100 links I would part with them since I do not have a tailgate and It would be prohibitively expensive to buy a 67-72 tailgate for a truck bed trailer that I could just make something at that point lol. That means I wouldnt need the bed-side hardware(That comes off I guess) but you would need a tailgate that has the proper stuff(whatever that would be)
 
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Old May 31, 2022 | 12:31 PM
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@NumberDummy credit to him for the parts diagrams.
Thats only to get the same style setup as the 67-72, I doubt the parts are 100% the same but you may have access to a parts truck 82 and older somewhere. to my understanding the beds are fundamentally "similar" since 70s but its probably still going to require transplanting some pieces.

now, this is the stock stuff. in terms of your request of replacing just the cable? Well I can show my trailers and my GM tailgates closer up, but I have no experience with just that one part as most people like to go from linkage to cable. I understand what your saying tho, I do like the linkage on my trailer when taking it off(plays nicer than a cable on my f150 does) since the tailgate is heavy its nice to be able to pop it out. good luck lol but let me know if you need to see anything from my trailers. seems the link itself is the same. i dont have the tailgate so no studs to anchor to. may be the same as the cable one?
 
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Old May 31, 2022 | 12:36 PM
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Thank you Auroragirl, I've thought of that, but I don't know the lengths/geometry would be the same as the older style, I doubt very much they are, but haven't tried it personally. I'll use cables for now, and keep my eyes open.
 
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Old May 31, 2022 | 08:07 PM
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Try Dennis Carpenter Restorations. I think this is what you are looking for.
 
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Old May 31, 2022 | 08:16 PM
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Thank you, I just looked, all they have for my years (87-96) are the cables. At $50 each!

I think the ones in the picture you posted are the ‘80-82 in that picture.
 
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Old May 31, 2022 | 10:01 PM
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Originally Posted by JJF20
Thank you, I just looked, all they have for my years (87-96) are the cables. At $50 each!

I think the ones in the picture you posted are the ‘80-82 in that picture.
what do you use your truck for if you dont mind me asking, do you have the tailgate frequently bearing weight? and do you frequently dismount It ?
 
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Old Jun 1, 2022 | 07:31 AM
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No I don't mind. This is just a general use pickup. I have had in the past weight riding on the tailgate, loading and unloading, or using it as a work bench. Years ago I'd have long snowmobiles in them hanging off the end, or ATV's riding on the gate as well.

For now, I bought a set of Motorcraft cables. Maybe I'll make it a project someday and make a set...
 
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Old Jun 1, 2022 | 10:12 AM
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Originally Posted by JJF20
Thank you, I just looked, all they have for my years (87-96) are the cables. At $50 each!

I think the ones in the picture you posted are the ‘80-82 in that picture.
I don't know for sure, but I think if it will fit the 80-82 tailgate setup, it'll fit basically any OBS truck. I don't think Ford ever changed much in where things mount on the tailgate setups. (granted, not exactly something you want to spend money on, for a maybe, but if there's any Bullnose trucks around you, grabbing a tape measure, and checking it against yours could be fruitful)
 
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Old Jun 4, 2022 | 11:14 AM
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I confirmed the 67 beds I have do not have the straps but I do have the body side hardware. from what i read it would prob physically be the same design but not the same shape or size etc etc.
 
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