Tailgate Trim Problem

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Feb 5, 2006 | 11:00 AM

Ponyexpress

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Joined: Jul 2005

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Tailgate Trim Problem

I have a 1987 Ford F-250 that has the brushed alum. tailgate insert with the red reflective Ford emblem. I noticed it was coming off, so I removed it to see what I would have to do to fix it. I found no screws or such, it was held on by melting the plastic tabs in place. Now the tabs are breaking away. There is not a lot of room between the tailgate and this trim piece. I need some ideas how to fix this. Your help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,

Tony

Feb 5, 2006 | 11:38 AM

swampo

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From: Farm

JB weld id go with.

Feb 5, 2006 | 12:15 PM

wassabe

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From: Orange County, CA

Pony, Are you talking about fixing the entire aluminum panel or just the red reflective piece? It's been a while since I removed the aluminum piece on my truck but I recall taking the access panel off the inside of the gate (area facing up if gate is open). Once the access panel is off you should be able to get at the screws that hold the aluminum panel in place. I think there are six or eight screws holding the panel on. It sounds like you already have the aluminum panel off and need the plastic pieces. I was told that the plastic pieces can not be purchased from the dealer anymore. I don't know if this is true. Try your local junk yards or ebay. I reciently traded my old tailgate with the aluminum panel still attached for a couple of sun visors to a place here in So. CA called All Ford Auto Wrecking. I don't know if they ship but you can call them at (714) 993-2110. I hope this info helps. My truck is an 88 but I believe its the same tail gate as the 87. This is a good place to post you should get some good suggestions.

Feb 6, 2006 | 07:06 PM

Ponyexpress

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The alum. plate is off the tailgate. The red reflective plate is attatched to a gray plastic plate that has tabs that go thru the alum. plate. From the factory, those plastic tabs that are about a 1/4 to 3/8 in dia. and have a hole in the middle as if a screw was inteaded to hold the plate on but instead they melted those tabs down to hold the plate in place. There are 16 of these tabs and enough of them have broken the melted part off to make the part unstable and it would have broken off driving down the highway at some point.Jb Weld--any other ideas???

Feb 8, 2006 | 06:20 PM

brosko80

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i just got rid of the grey plastic peice behind the red peice and put sheet metal screws throgh it and screwed directly to the tailgate, but then again my f 150 was given to me for free and is a third truck as i am a chevy man

Feb 8, 2006 | 06:25 PM

brosko80

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although i admit since getting it on the road 3 days ago the ford is strarting to grow on me. i no longer see gm as the only truck out there. i like my f-150

Feb 8, 2006 | 06:51 PM

kc7smo

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Joined: Jun 2005

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WHAT? a chevy man??!!!?! Who let you in here??

Just kidding, welcome to the forum, glad to hear you like you F-150..

I have the same trim problem, I just plan to glue it on with some liqued nails or something...should work fine

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Apr 10, 2006 | 04:14 PM

Dusty Roads

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Joined: Feb 2005

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From: Dallas, TX

Hi All,Dusty Roads here ...
Like you all, I'm having to rebuild the brushed trim panel on my '91 tailgate ...
Here's the plan ...
Have glued the red plastic trim back onto the grey backing with Liquid Nail (Just one small area was bulging up). After a serious cleaning of the grey backing and the associated aluminum face, will use silicone sealer to attach the red plastic trim assembly to the aluminum panel. I will back that up with self tapping screws and washers to the dozen or so plastic nubbies that poke thru(careful not to strip the plastic nubbies). There are 3-4 plastic T-shaped thingies that attach the alumium trim panel to the tailgate ... They are broken off at the neck. I'm going to use a plastic based epoxy to glue them back together ... Plus ...I'm going to fill the repaired necks with Liquid Nail and insert threaded stock cut to size into the cavities(to give the adhesive something to grab on to). Let the whole thing dry out in the sun for a few days and should be good to go ...
What do you think?
DR in Dallas

Apr 10, 2006 | 10:57 PM

#10

frdtruc1

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Joined: Jan 2005

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From: hebron, ct

Dusty's advice is close to what I experienced. I forget the stuff I used but it wasn't LN. I search high and low and found a tube of adhesive made by Loctite. It was black and expensive but worth every penny. Try searching the Loctite website. You can also check some fastener dealers and specifically ask for an adhesive that will bond plastic to metal. Once you set the black plastic pieces, put a little weight on the whole piece and give it plenty of time to dry, preferably in the sun as Dusty's says. I did mine 2 years ago and its lasted through 2 New Eng winters. Good luck.