year tailgate?
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 625
Likes: 1
From: Colorado
There was a dentside tailgate on my truck when I got it, to say the least it was just plain wrong. No where close to correct; looked like ***, and the latching mech. and cables were completely different. It had to be tied there.
I did retrofit a tailgate from an '87 onto my '82. It required some drilling, and swapping in all the hardware from the '87, but it fits great and looks nice. This is your best bet if a proper replacement 'gate in good condition is hard to find.
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/a...3/CIMG0532.jpg
I did retrofit a tailgate from an '87 onto my '82. It required some drilling, and swapping in all the hardware from the '87, but it fits great and looks nice. This is your best bet if a proper replacement 'gate in good condition is hard to find.
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/a...3/CIMG0532.jpg
Methanoholic
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 6,442
Likes: 8
From: Maine (NorCal Native)
Awesome!
Do you have a from the rear view of the whole gate??
I have various pics (snagged from the web) I'm about to upload into my album of different tailgates hopefully someone will clarify the years.
-Enjoy
fh : )_~
Do you have a from the rear view of the whole gate??
I have various pics (snagged from the web) I'm about to upload into my album of different tailgates hopefully someone will clarify the years.
-Enjoy
fh : )_~
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,521
Likes: 16
From: Lost
80-86 look the same, but the difference comes in on the hardware to hold it up while open. 80-82 used the old metal folding straps, while 83-86 (and newer) used cables. Of course, there were several kinds of trim plaques that was used during the 80-86 run.
Methanoholic
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 6,442
Likes: 8
From: Maine (NorCal Native)
All the hardware has been fully explained in this thread already.
What is not here are pics of the different tailgates and trim options and that is what I am trying to gather / learn, then I'll post all that info with pics.
The goal here is to provide a visual link to all the gates and trim options so folks can see whats what.
I have just added 3 pictures to my album, I'd appreciate it if those in the know would take a look and ID them for me with as much details as possible, I have what I believe the correct years listed, don't know anything about the trim options
I am having troubles finding nice "from the rear" pictures of all the gates and options, any pointers to good pics would be awesome.
Thanks
-Enjoy
fh : )_~
What is not here are pics of the different tailgates and trim options and that is what I am trying to gather / learn, then I'll post all that info with pics.
The goal here is to provide a visual link to all the gates and trim options so folks can see whats what.
I have just added 3 pictures to my album, I'd appreciate it if those in the know would take a look and ID them for me with as much details as possible, I have what I believe the correct years listed, don't know anything about the trim options
I am having troubles finding nice "from the rear" pictures of all the gates and options, any pointers to good pics would be awesome.
Thanks
-Enjoy
fh : )_~
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 8,786
Likes: 28
From: Northern California
Well here is a pic of my 1981 from the rear.
As was said earlier, 1980-1986 gates look the same, but the tailgates are different because of the mounting hardware attached between 1980-1982 and 1983-1986.
As was said earlier, 1980-1986 gates look the same, but the tailgates are different because of the mounting hardware attached between 1980-1982 and 1983-1986.
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Methanoholic
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 6,442
Likes: 8
From: Maine (NorCal Native)
Maybe it's me, My puter, but to me those images are very dark and just look like blobs of black with a trim panel, thats all I see, can't see the shape of the tailgate.
When taking pictures always have the sun to your backside.
I know this sounds like I am bitching, I guess I am, I don't mean to be, It's just my hopes are to make this thread so someone can come look for the right tailgate for their truck, See an image of it, so they can go look for the right one.
As well as seeing all the options so if they choose to select a different gate style for their truck they'll know what it takes to make it fit.
The making it fit part has been well covered!
Thanks all!
-Enjoy
fh : )_~
When taking pictures always have the sun to your backside.
I know this sounds like I am bitching, I guess I am, I don't mean to be, It's just my hopes are to make this thread so someone can come look for the right tailgate for their truck, See an image of it, so they can go look for the right one.
As well as seeing all the options so if they choose to select a different gate style for their truck they'll know what it takes to make it fit.
The making it fit part has been well covered!
Thanks all!
-Enjoy
fh : )_~
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,593
Likes: 2
From: Prairieville, La
Right on on the tail lights. I like them better, but I do still have the original ones. These are easier to clean. As far as the trim level, your guess is as good as mine. The truck was completely original when I got it. I have made slight changes to the truck to suit my tastes, but it is all reversible.
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,593
Likes: 2
From: Prairieville, La
Maybe it's me, My puter, but to me those images are very dark and just look like blobs of black with a trim panel, thats all I see, can't see the shape of the tailgate.
When taking pictures always have the sun to your backside.
I know this sounds like I am bitching, I guess I am, I don't mean to be, It's just my hopes are to make this thread so someone can come look for the right tailgate for their truck, See an image of it, so they can go look for the right one.
As well as seeing all the options so if they choose to select a different gate style for their truck they'll know what it takes to make it fit.
When taking pictures always have the sun to your backside.
I know this sounds like I am bitching, I guess I am, I don't mean to be, It's just my hopes are to make this thread so someone can come look for the right tailgate for their truck, See an image of it, so they can go look for the right one.
As well as seeing all the options so if they choose to select a different gate style for their truck they'll know what it takes to make it fit.
You are making me laugh. When was your last eye exam?
That was taken with the cell phone. It was around 3 or 4 o'clock. Some of the dark spots you see are the shadows from the giant oak tree that covers my whole front yard.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 8,786
Likes: 28
From: Northern California
No it's not typical XL trim. It's high end trim only avaliable on the following.
1980-1981: Ranger Lariat
1982-1984: XLT Lariat
So if it's original, there is a special reason why it's on there. Some of the Explorer packages had weird combos, Or it's an XLT Lariat with XL badges.
The 1985 and 1986 XLT Lariat tailgate trim panel is different yet.
Yes. 
1980-1981: Ranger Lariat
1982-1984: XLT Lariat
So if it's original, there is a special reason why it's on there. Some of the Explorer packages had weird combos, Or it's an XLT Lariat with XL badges.
The 1985 and 1986 XLT Lariat tailgate trim panel is different yet.
And are those 87-96 tail lights?
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,077
Likes: 0
From: winchester va
this is where i ordered mine since none of the salvage yards around here had one that was in any better shape than mine lol
oops forgot the link lol
http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/sh...50_pickup.html
oops forgot the link lol
http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/sh...50_pickup.html
Last edited by mortalis09; Apr 11, 2010 at 07:55 PM. Reason: forgot the link lol