Does anyone know where i might be able to find a fairly cheap tailgate trim for my 1989 F150..Brushed aluminum with the red reflective strip that goes across trim. Here is a pic of what i'm looking for.

 

Last time I checked at my local dealer those panels were almost $300, and that was several years ago. Since they are so high at the dealers, seems like all the tailgates are the first things to get snatched up at the local junkyards for cheap and then put on ebay/craigslist/etc. When I get ready to paint my truck, I will most likely just go get a aftermarket smooth (like the 92-96 trucks sometimes had) shell. Good luck!

 

yeah these things are expensive..I have checked several junkyards and liek you say, all of them are snatched up! i do like what you were saying about the smooth tailgate

 

I know when my truck got rear ended last summer, that panel was the most expensive part other than paint. The estimate from the body shop listed that part at about $575 for just the aluminum! That didn't include the plastic strip or the letters. The problem with that piece is that there are no aftermarket alterntives, it has to come from Ford. They were going to use an aftermarket tailgate, and that was still $300 plus all the trim and paint. The body shop ended up finding me a used Southern tailgate, complete with trim from a salvage yard for $300.

 

Those panels are pricey. I don't know what the dealer wants now, but NPD and LMC want 300 or more dollars for the. I see them on Ebay fairly often. Check there. By the way you can use one from 92-96 with the black strip. It should fit.

 

I may have one from a '96 Eddie Bauer you can have for $200 plus shipping
if you are interested.

Robert

 

Makes me think I should call up this fellow on Craigslist who had an entire
tailgate for sale for $40 ;-) Wonder how hard it would be to take off and
ship to ya? (I only need the gate).
Jim

 

Hey BigFoot, your photo wasn't available, but I'm guessing you want the trim piece that is brushed stainless with the red reflector stripe like these?



I've got a pretty good one that I never got installed before I had to sell the truck. It's in the way in the garage now. $150 plus shipping.