I'm restoring my 86 f150 and was wondering what the differences are between the latch mechanisms on the 80-86 tailgates and those on the 87-96 tailgates. I found a good 88 tailgate and I am trying to figure out if I can use it.

 

RTFS:

Read the freakin' sticky.......

It's already been covered a million times.

 

Hi Stosh, I did see the sticky so i know it can be done. I was just looking to see if anyone could tell me or point me in the direction of pics that might show what modifications need to be made to the newer gate to get the latching mechanism to work properly. Someone on the sticky mentioned some drilling that was needed which is why I asked.

 

You can't lump all 1980-1986 tailgates together. There were two seperate ones. For 1980-1982 and 1983-1986.

There are still a few NOS tailgates floating around that fit your 1986 with no modifications, if you checked the sticky.

1983-1986: E5TZ-9940700-B for use with support cables.

 

The reason that I am asking about the later model tailgates is that someone locally is selling an 88 tailgate and I am trying to determine degree of difficulty (what modifications are necessary) to help me make the decision on whether or not to buy it.

 

IMO: putting a later model tailgate on one of our tucks ruins the looks and I would never do it.......

 

The body lines wouldn't match at the top, 87-96 tailgates are more rounded at the tops. And instead of a striker like the doors, the 87-96 tailgates use a hook-latch style (Looped wire) instead of a striker, so its a stupid modification the wouldn't look good anyways. Thats my two cents.

(Uncle.stosh: You have new messages)

 

Ok, thank you all for the input I think I may try to bust out the welder and fix my old one or hit the junkyards. I don't want to use the newer one if it is going to screw up the lines. Also Stosh, I agree with you as far as looks go I was mainly thinking about it from a cost perspective since places like LMC charge about 400 for the one with the FORD stamped into it and I really don't like the knockoffs that have the blank center panel.

 

There are 51 of these tailgates still available at Ford Dealers.

But...the last MSRP was $415.10 / Dealer net was $278.12.

 

O there is still 51 left? I bought two about 4 months ago, at that time there was 55 left. I only paid 400 a piece

And for anyone one thinking of using a 87+ gate, they are WAY weaker in design

 

Did you get one of each?...

1980-1982: EOTZ-9940700-A: For use with Metal Support Arms.

1983-1986: E5TZ-9940700-B: For use with Support Cables.

Or are you going to use the Support cables on the 1980, and change the mr. met connection on the bed?

Why I ask is....

The Metal Support arms of the 1980-1982 won't bolt up to the 1983-1986 gate without drilling and modification. The Rubber (Anti-rattle) Arm supports also have nowhere to go without cutting holes for them in the gate.

Picture of 1980-1982 (My 1981) with Metal Arm Supports...

 

i bought 2 of the 86 ones

 

1980/82: EOTZ9940700A / Obsolete

Last MSRP: $254.02 / Last Dealer Net: $152.41.

WESLEY OBSOLETE PARTS in Liberty KY has FIVE = 606-787-5293.

GREEN SALES CO. in Cincinnati OH has ONE = 800-543-4959.

No Ford Dealer, no other obsolete parts vendor has any.
------------------------------------------------------
1983/86: E5TZ9940700B / Obsolete

Last MSRP: $415.10 / Last Dealer Net: $276.12.

VINTAGE FORD PARTS in Beaver Dam WI has 39. But y'all cannot buy them, as they only sell to FoMoCo dealers.

You'll have to have a dealer order it for you...the price will be???

BOB ALLEN FORD in Overland Park KS has FOUR = 800-676-0675. This dealer is HIGH BUCK, so don't expect any net plus deals.

CONROY MOTORS in Java Park NY has ONE.

ALBIA MOTOR CO. in Albia IA has ONE.

AUTO PARTS BY TRIER in Columbia City IN has ONE.

MATLOCK FORD-MERCURY in Franklin IN has ONE.

DOTTS MOTOR CO. in Clearfield PA has ONE.

THRELKELD MOTOR CO. in Vidalia GA has ONE.

MEREDITH MOTOR CO. in Meredith NH has ONE.

MIDPAC AUTO CENTER in Lihue H1 has ONE.
------------------------------------------
That's a total of 51. But wait...there's more!

When I said 51, I didn't include obsolete parts vendors.

GREEN SALES CO. has ONE.

WESLEY OBSOLETE PARTS has FIVE.
==========================
Prices. Uh...I doubt there will be any bargains to be found at the obsolete parts vendors.

No deals at Bob Allen Ford or Vintage Parts, either.

However...since the part is obsolete, cannot be returned to Ford...the dealers are STUCK with them.

Call around, you may be able to buy them at net plus.

Note: When typing Ford part numbers into websites, remove any hyphens or spaces! Type 'em like I did above.

If you don't....the websites will say: No parts found.

EOTZ = Type the second digit as the letter O, not as a zero (0).

Zero usually doesn't work. Type it like that...you'll get: No parts found.

 

I don't know exactly what part you are referring to as being weaker, but I have to disagree. The tailgate on my 89 is almost twice as heavy as the tailgate was on my 1980. I did like the metal straps on the 80 better than the cables on the 89 though.

 

The gate itsself is physicaly stronger. The way the gate , w the bed pressed in center section is twice as strong as the 87+ gate which is 2 flat pieces of sheet metal. I actually took gates(rotted out ones) and set them on 6x6's(one at either end) then drove a truck on them. The 87+gate folded in half. The 86 gate took the weight of the truck