tailgate
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 161,999
Likes: 75
From: 3rd Rock
Originally Posted by rctmike
I have a F150 4X4 king cab long bed truck with no tailgate. Any ideas on the best place to find one. Tried the auto salvage yards here with no luck. Thanks for any help.
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Trailering
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 22
Likes: 1
From: Western Md.
As far as I know 80-86 ford tailgates do not interchange with 87 and up models. There are a few aftermarket companies that have them but they are usually a lighter gage metal than factory. Try searching for south western salvage yards the shipping would probably be 50 to 75 bucks but Original equipment would be worth it.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,871
Likes: 0
From: Coutts Canada
Yes the tailgates will interchange between 80-96, however other than a few body line differences (which you will hardly notice), the early 80's (83 and earlier i think) have a different support arm (the think that folds up) which is a solid arm with a hinge, and the newer ones use a cable. The tailgates will interchange , but you just won't have the benefit of those supports.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 121
Likes: 0
not that i recommend it, but i found the same model and color truck in a parkin lot, and.............Well, lets just say i didnt know the guy, and it was at the local wiess. And it was dark out so i took for my friend, cheap, but it was illigal, so i recommend doing it at knight. If at all.
GOOD LUCK
Eric
GOOD LUCK
Eric
More Turbo
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 646
Likes: 0
From: Cleveland, TN
ya i wouldnt recomend doing that at all lol.......my father did that back in the 70's with a U joint for his firebird.....he stole one from a car dealership at night 
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 237
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From: Stanchfield,MN
so thats where my tailgate went!!! you try that around here and you get a twelve gauge aimed at ya 
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Senior User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 253
Likes: 0
Stay patient and try to find a factory tailgate. As stated, the aftermarket crap is thinner. You might pay less for a new aftermarket vs. a used factory, but you will be sorry(I have an aftermarket door on my F250 installed by the previous owner). That thing is the flimsiest P.O.S I have ever encountered.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 817
Likes: 1
All the after market stuff is pretty bad. I have both doors, front fenders & tail gate on my '86 are aftermarket; better than rust, but sounds very "tinny" when you close the doors.
Don't waste your money on a tail gate - mine is three years old and it needs to be replaced now. My truck is basically a light hauler / grocery getter and the tail gate isn't really used that much. I would search high & low until I found a used factory one - it will be worth the effort.
I under coated both doors and that helped; but, it's still bad.
Oscar
Don't waste your money on a tail gate - mine is three years old and it needs to be replaced now. My truck is basically a light hauler / grocery getter and the tail gate isn't really used that much. I would search high & low until I found a used factory one - it will be worth the effort.
I under coated both doors and that helped; but, it's still bad.
Oscar
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 684
Likes: 1
I had a freind who had to go to work late at nite (about 12:00), but his tire had a big whole in it, and he had no spare, and no tire shops were open. but his neihber had the same kind of car and it was unlocked, so he took the tire, put his flat on their car in, and he was also kind enough to leave $25 in the glove box (to fix the tire) along with a thank you note.
