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So, I'm looking for a metal tailgate cap that matches the half round profile at the top of our tailgates. Could I widen my search to include 60's, 70's, 80's, and 90' F series tailgates, or is that top radius vastly different between generations? It's really hard to tell from internet photos.
I had an aluminum one from in the 1980s until I redid things in 2022, it was DEEZEE I think. I had once cut into it by mistake. Somewhere along the years, I had stumbled onto a polished stainless steel one and it fit perfect on my new in box OEM tailgate. I have no idea who made it, it was in a plain box, a long skinny box. Without comparing tailgate profiles side by side, I have no suggestions. My new drop in bed liner came with a tailgate protector, it fit perfect over the new cap.
I had a 1980-1996 tail gate cap that was a different profile than my 1966 Bronco has. I checked and it did not work due to different profile (so I sold it)
So, given that I would guess that a 60s or early 70s truck tailgate (mostly same as a classic bronco) are NOT the same as the 80-96 tailgates.
That doesn't answer your question about 73-79 tail gates but may help you when searching
I had a 1980-1996 tail gate cap that was a different profile than my 1966 Bronco has. I checked and it did not work due to different profile (so I sold it)
So, given that I would guess that a 60s or early 70s truck tailgate (mostly same as a classic bronco) are NOT the same as the 80-96 tailgates.
That doesn't answer your question about 73-79 tail gates but may help you when searching
I think your onto something. I'm finding a lot more options that look right when I search for the Bronco tailgate protector. I think I'll try one of these.
No-no, I am saying that the classic Bronco and trucks 1972 and earlier have a DIFFERENT profile along top edge than the 80-96 trucks.
I think this is still closer than what I am finding when I search F series tailgate caps. All I get is the generic flat top pieces with a goofy chamfer.
This one is round, so even if I have to shoehorn it a little bit, it seems like it will look better than the flat style protectors.
I used 4 stainless steel 1/4-20 screws and each has a ss ny-lock nut out of view. 2 inside, 2 outside. There's some masking between the ss cap and my paint.
