Notices
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 question

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 14, 2025 | 09:22 AM
  #1  
steelholder's Avatar
steelholder
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 267
Likes: 21
Tailgate question

From what I know, there are 2 types of tailgates offered for these trucks. The one with a panel and one without. Are these both the exact shape if panel is removed? I want to add the panel to a "non panel" model by drilling holes in the appropriate areas. is this possible?



 
Reply
Old Jun 14, 2025 | 11:01 AM
  #2  
Junktownbill99's Avatar
Junktownbill99
Fleet Mechanic
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 1,697
Likes: 416
The panel is aluminum, but with careful measuring and drilling, that may be possible.
 
Reply
Old Jun 15, 2025 | 01:20 AM
  #3  
AuroraGirl's Avatar
AuroraGirl
Lead Driver
Shutterbug
Community Builder
Liked
Loved
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 5,221
Likes: 805
Originally Posted by steelholder
From what I know, there are 2 types of tailgates offered for these trucks. The one with a panel and one without. Are these both the exact shape if panel is removed? I want to add the panel to a "non panel" model by drilling holes in the appropriate areas. is this possible?



my understanding is the XLT (panel) tailgate is heavier and stronger but thats just from the self-reported experience on a thread i made on this topic a few years ago.
My tailgate is bowed in the center a bit on the inside (I think from sitting on it by large people), but its externally straight , its like the second one.
 
Reply
Old Jun 15, 2025 | 05:27 AM
  #4  
My4Fordtrucks's Avatar
My4Fordtrucks
Hotshot
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 12,872
Likes: 2,445
I would expect it to be very easy to find a good used tailgate in your color with stainless trim out there in California. Hold onto your plain tailgate if you change your mind or sell it to recoup some, if not all, of the cost of the other tailgate since there are people searching for the base model tailgate
 
Reply
Old Jun 15, 2025 | 08:02 AM
  #5  
manicmechanic007's Avatar
manicmechanic007
Hotshot
5 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 10,534
Likes: 2,662
From: Near Salt Lake City
Club FTE Silver Member

The tailgate sheet metal is different under that panel
Big holes to mount the panel, and a different shape due to the panel
I'd get a tailgate with the panel if you want one
 
Reply
Old Jun 15, 2025 | 08:08 AM
  #6  
steelholder's Avatar
steelholder
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 267
Likes: 21
Originally Posted by manicmechanic007
The tailgate sheet metal is different under that panel
Big holes to mount the panel, and a different shape due to the panel
I'd get a tailgate with the panel if you want one
is it? I put the panel over a tailagte and it was a perfect fit minus the holes.
 
Reply
Old Jun 15, 2025 | 09:06 AM
  #7  
Scndsin's Avatar
Scndsin
FTE Chapter Leader
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 12,342
Likes: 1,318
From: Central Mississippi
Club FTE Silver Member

Pulled my panel for protection.

Used stainless screws, washers & acorn nuts to fill holes.

Coated bottom washer with RTV, pressed to glass, let dry & trimmed to seal.

Plane panel is the same, just not drilled.






NOT green, just a reflection.
 
Reply
Old Jun 15, 2025 | 09:14 AM
  #8  
manicmechanic007's Avatar
manicmechanic007
Hotshot
5 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 10,534
Likes: 2,662
From: Near Salt Lake City
Club FTE Silver Member

They do fit if you drill the holes
The tailgates are different IIRR
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-4

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-9

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
Old Jun 15, 2025 | 12:56 PM
  #9  
My4Fordtrucks's Avatar
My4Fordtrucks
Hotshot
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 12,872
Likes: 2,445
Originally Posted by manicmechanic007
They do fit if you drill the holes
The tailgates are different IIRR
Would you explain what that means? The shape/ stamping of the tailgate is the same on ‘92-96 trucks that have the decal. The previous generation had the FORD stamped in the sheet metal under the stainless panel.
 
Reply
Old Jun 15, 2025 | 02:13 PM
  #10  
steelholder's Avatar
steelholder
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 267
Likes: 21
Originally Posted by My4Fordtrucks
Would you explain what that means? The shape/ stamping of the tailgate is the same on ‘92-96 trucks that have the decal. The previous generation had the FORD stamped in the sheet metal under the stainless panel.
I think he meant to say everything is the same except the holes needed to mount the panel.
 
Reply
Old Jun 15, 2025 | 10:54 PM
  #11  
AuroraGirl's Avatar
AuroraGirl
Lead Driver
Shutterbug
Community Builder
Liked
Loved
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 5,221
Likes: 805
Originally Posted by Scndsin
Pulled my panel for protection.

Used stainless screws, washers & acorn nuts to fill holes.

Coated bottom washer with RTV, pressed to glass, let dry & trimmed to seal.

Plane panel is the same, just not drilled.






NOT green, just a reflection.
one of these days we should compare weights of tailgates in good shape and see what we find
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
kgwin1984
1999 - 2016 Super Duty
2
May 7, 2025 06:13 PM
Oldcrowbarber
1967 - 1972 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
0
Jan 30, 2018 10:11 AM
1985 Bronco
1978 - 1996 Big Bronco
3
May 27, 2015 11:45 PM
1997fordf350
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
12
May 9, 2013 06:45 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:17 AM.

story-0
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-1
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-3
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-6
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE