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

Installing Tailgate Trim? (1985)

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Old Feb 5, 2009 | 04:00 PM
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Installing Tailgate Trim? (1985)

I just got a trim off ebay with all hard ware needed, but I don't know how to put it on. I know I need to drill holes in my tailgate but how do I put the screws in the back of the trim? The back of the tailgate doesn't open as far as I know... any help is apreciated.
 
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Old Feb 5, 2009 | 04:21 PM
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You have two drill all the way through the tailgate.

The holes on the outside are larger to accomodate the plastic studs on the panel. The inside holes only have to be big enough for the screws to fit through.

I would highly recommend using a tailgate that already has a trim panel and make a template on a piece of construction paper (the brown stuff that comes in rolls).
 
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Old Feb 5, 2009 | 04:23 PM
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Is this for the 1985-1986 full tailgate trim panel?

The screws go through the inner metal wall of the gate.


edit: Stosh beat me to it. And BTW, welcome back stosh.
 
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Old Feb 5, 2009 | 07:34 PM
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yeah, 85-86 with the reflector. Any Idea what size holes I should drill or just eye-ball it? Thanks
 
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Old Feb 6, 2009 | 01:59 AM
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No idea on the hole sizes. I would do what stosh suggests and make a template.
 
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Old Feb 6, 2009 | 02:24 AM
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12) 388857S .. Screw, attach finish panel to tailgate.

These are obsolete, so the specs are no longer listed in the 2002 edition of the Ford STANDARD and UTILITY PARTS CATALOG I have.

Call or email Green Sales in Cincinnati, OH (greensalescompany.com / 800-543-4959). They have an earlier Standard Catalog and can give you the specs.

The 1980's and earlier Standard Catalogs are very hard to find, as most dealers tossed them out years ago.
 
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Old Feb 7, 2009 | 08:21 AM
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Epoxy?

Would putting epoxy in / around the holes and on the trim's mounting "Fingers" work? Rather than drilling all the way through my gate. I don't want to drill all the way through my gate because I have a spray-in bedliner. Is that worth a shot? I already have the holes drilled on the side you would see following me in a car and the finish panel fits in there. I'm thinking bolt the out side edge's to the tailgate like its supposed to be, having expoxy hold the centers in place.

??? Maybe?
 
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Old Feb 7, 2009 | 03:31 PM
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Not a good idea. This could likely cause the panel to seperate from the gate and bow in the center damaging it.

You need to drill all the way through the gate. the holes on the inner side of the gate are small in comparison, and only need to be big enough for the screw to fit through to the finish panel mounts.
 
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Old Feb 7, 2009 | 06:41 PM
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Okay, I see now; I got it installed now though the tailgate. Thanks everyone for the help.
 
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Old Feb 7, 2009 | 07:44 PM
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How about posting a pic of the finished product! BTW, your truck looks great; got any before pics?
 
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Old Feb 8, 2009 | 06:50 AM
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Picture! Looks great~!

http://c2.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/i...13270e4dbd.jpg

I can't add pictures normal here so there is the link. Sorry, I bought the truck almost the way it is now, so no before pictures. The only thing I did was take off a fiberglass sun visor and added the cab lights, add fog lights, add a new dash pad, finish panel, and some engine fix's (Fuel Preasure Regulator, EGR Valve Tube, Tune-Up, Battery) I wish I could do more but the wife gets mad at me when I talk about my truck. The next up-grade is going to be a factory chrome rear bumper with the impact strips (Small Bumper for 80-86 Trucks :-) )
 
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