In anticipation of switching my '99 tailgate for a '08 tailgate, how does the plastic molding on the top edge of the tailgates come off? Is it held on just with an adhesive? Just some muscle to lift it off? A little heat to soften the adhesive?

As to why I need to switch out the moldings, if you look at the plastic edge guard on the 2008 tailgate, it juts out in the center, where as the '99 tailgate molding is a gentle curve without any protrusions. Due to having a topper on my truck with a hatch that sits against the plastic molding, I need the molding to be a straight line.

 

It has screws on the back side and then clips underneat that hold.... Remove the screws and pry up to pull the clips loose. Ive had mine stolen in a parkinglot before. Not sure if they are interchangeable though....

 

I just had an ARE construction cap installed on my 09 F-350. On the bottom of the cap door, they have a molded piece of fiberglass riveted to it. The fiberglass is molded to the shape of the top of the tailgate. With the cap door closed it acts like a big cover over the top of the tailgate. No need to remove anything from the tailgate.

Tom

 

But since the topper on my truck has been there since 1999 and was not made to accomadate the 2008+ tailgate, I need to change out the moldings so the topper hatch can continue to close.

 

If my cap did not have that fiberglass piece on it it would close against a flat straight surface. The piece is molded in an arc shape. Probably out 2 inches in the middle, down to maybe 1/2 inch on the ends. Height might be an issue though. Not sure if they make the door shorter to allow for the fiberglass. I don't know how to post a pic so I can show you how it looks.

Tom

 

If you can't get the molding to switch out you can try having the door replaced on the topper but will probably be around $400.

 

ummm, the tailgate actualy flares aswell.. you wont be able to use your 99 tailgate trim peice on the 08 gate.

 

Hoping you're mistaken, but if you're correct, I will have a 2008 white tailgate for sale

 

On the '08' if you try to pry up you might just snap the plastic clips off rendering it useless. I know this because when I pulled my snowmobile out of the truck I forgot about the skags and tore the top of the tailgate off.

I would take the panel off the inside of the tailgate and reach up to squeeze the clips ( there are a few of them) to reuse the plastic top.

Anyone Know the part # for the plastic top without the step for the '08'?

 

I have an 08 on mine and I didnt think the gate top was any different shape than the older one.... It looks to me like its just the plastic cap.

 

I thought the same. That's why I'm thinking I can change out just the plastic cap and the topper hatch should fit just fine.

 

This the '08' tailgate top with out cap.

 

I think these pics may confirm what Fordfanatic4life said up above about the sheet metal itself also being flared. After seeing these, I doubt the '99 plastic cap will be able to go on the '08 tailgate. Not what I wanted to see, but thanks for the pictures.

Looks like I'm stuck with a tailgate I cannot use

 

On my 2008 with the step in the gate I put on a raider top and they had to make a special molded plastic piece for the bottom of the cap door to fit over the plastic cap on the gate. Call whoever makes your top and see if there is a piece available it should not cost that much.

 

Follow up:

The moulding piece that goes on top has pieces that are made right into the cap to fit in all of the holes that are seen except for the front of the tailgate.

Part # 8C3Z9940602AA $37.53