Tailgate interchange

[FORDification]

I've known for some time that the tailgates used in the '65-'72 range and those used for the '73-'79 trucks would physically interchange, although I've been told the body lines would not line up. In other words, the tailgates would bolt up but would look really funky. I've been keeping my eyes open for some pics to show exactly what the differences were, and finally ran across an E-bay auction with what I was looking for. This is a '74 F-150 with a '65-'72 tailgate. I just wanted to post the pictures here for future reference, and in case anyone else was curious.





Now...if anyone has any pics of a later tailgate on an earlier truck, I'd be interested in seeing them too. After all, a picture's worth 1000 words, right?

[heep70]

I like how the strap hooks were so carefully and thoughtfully places.

[Tim P.]

Thats ashame such a good tailgate wasted on a truck that doesnt deserve it and all thoes bad piercings resembling a function.

[68F250]

Actually it's only the '67 - '72 tailgates that are exactly the same, the '64 - '66 'gates are just a tiny bit different along with using a different F O R D letter font. They look just fine on a '67 - '72 though. I'll keep my eyes open for the frankenstein trucks!

Barry

[willowbilly3]

Over the years I have seen a lot of 67-72 tailgates on the 73 and newer trucks but seldom the reverse. That's because the earlier talgates are about ten times tougher. Other than rust you almost have to try to mess one up on a 67-72. On the 73 and newer if 2 chubby girls set on it at a tailgate party it won't ever close right again.

[morganater]

Haha, that picture is worth at least two words I can think of: rust and mismatching