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1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Early Eighties Bullnose Ford Truck

year tailgate?

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Old Feb 22, 2009 | 02:56 PM
  #16  
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Thanks For The Correction. ND.

I really need to throw the old parts book away and get the CD.

Now that I Think about it, the tailgate that fits both 1980-1986 must be aftermarket.

Memory Cheats.
 
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Old Feb 22, 2009 | 03:26 PM
  #17  
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Originally Posted by 81-F-150-Explorer
Thanks For The Correction. ND.

I really need to throw the old parts book away and get the CD.
Hipoparts.com sells the catalog on a CD for around 25 bucks, the last edition (1991) was scanned, but...

Make sure it's this one: 1980/89 Ford LIGHT Truck Parts Catalog.

You prolly don't want the Heavy catalog = F600 and up.

1973/2002: I'm using the catalogs on Ford microfiche slides.
 
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Old Feb 22, 2009 | 03:39 PM
  #18  
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The Heavy Catalog would also be nice since I do have a Large and Medium Truck Wrecker not far from where I live, but not essential, especially for $25 dollars and the economy the way it is.

Thanks Again.
 
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Old May 16, 2009 | 09:42 PM
  #19  
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the tail gate that has the word F O R D real big in a rectangular box i think iveseen them on 84-86 fords but i dont know if they came stock or not i rarely see them and its the tailgate i want so i want to know if i can ****** one from the junkyard?
 
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Old May 16, 2009 | 11:36 PM
  #20  
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Definitely at least 84-86 for that. They are factory stock, main trick is finding usable units...
 
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Old May 17, 2009 | 07:12 AM
  #21  
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All OEM 80/86 tailgates have F O R D stamped in them. Even the ones with the aluminum trim panels have it underneath....

Most aftermarket tailgates do NOT have this stamping.
 
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Old May 17, 2009 | 09:02 AM
  #22  
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Originally Posted by uncle.stosh
Most aftermarket tailgates do NOT have this stamping.
Correct; my understanding is that it's a licensing/trademark thing from Ford and it applies
to ALL aftermarket parts, not just tailgates.

-ct
 
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Old May 17, 2009 | 02:49 PM
  #23  
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Originally Posted by ctubutis
Correct; my understanding is that it's a licensing/trademark thing from Ford and it applies
to ALL aftermarket parts, not just tailgates.

-ct
Exactly.

If the Aftermarket company pays a license fee, and make the parts to Ford's standard of quality, then they can use the trademarks, etc...

Very few companies do this.
 
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Old May 17, 2009 | 02:58 PM
  #24  
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And just for clarification, the sheetmetal of the 1980-1982 tailgate, and the 1983-1986 tailgate is virtually identicle in looks.

The difference is the supporting hardware and how it attaches to the gate.

The 1983-1986 tailgate does not have the holes or the attachments for the 1980-1982 supporting hardware to attach to it.
 
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Old Aug 7, 2009 | 02:47 PM
  #25  
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So if I had an 80-82 shell, I could use it as long as i reuse my cables and latch hardware right? Please correct me if I am wrong because I have located a mint 80 gate but before I buy I need to know if it can work. Thanks!
 
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Old Aug 7, 2009 | 05:43 PM
  #26  
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Right, you can attach the 1983-1986 hardware to the 1980-1982 tailgate pretty simply.

There will be an extra bolt hole and areas for different componets you wont need.

The problem is going the other way around.
 
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Old Aug 7, 2009 | 06:15 PM
  #27  
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thanks

Thanks glad someone finally answered my question! All the good 'gates I find are from 80-82 trucks and all the 83-86 gates are shot....go figure lol. So I am guessing the two holes for my latches will line up to the ones on the 80 gate, I'll just have an extra bolt hole on each side am I right?
 
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Old Aug 7, 2009 | 06:50 PM
  #28  
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Correct.

And also a couple of holes and slots for the rubber parts for the 1980-82 supports so they don't rattle in the gate, that are redundant for your install.

I've noticed that the sheetmetal on the 1980-1982 gates seem to be thicker. At least to my eyes.
 
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Old Apr 4, 2010 | 07:57 PM
  #29  
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anyone think a 79' tailgate will fit an 83'? or will atleast be easy to "make" fit
 
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Old Apr 4, 2010 | 09:58 PM
  #30  
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I've got vague recollections of seeing it talked about here; although I don't recall the specifics,
I think the answer is "no."
 
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