Poll: Tailgate Trim or No Tailgate Trim

[Big Blue 72]

This is just a personal preference question. I'm finally getting around to putting my 1972 restoration project back together. I removed that black and silver trim panel that runs the length of the tailgate that has the word "Ford" embossed onto it when I sent it to the paint shop. No I gotta make a decision whether to put it back on or not.
So here's the question. What do you think looks better? The 1972 look that has the trim bar? Or the cleaner look of leaving it off and exposing the tailgates embossed Ford letters.

[71-F-250SC-72-F-250C]

I like the trim. My truck didnt come with the ford tailgate trim, so I have one I am going to put on it one of these days.

[Joe Kriston]

Big Blue,another thing that may affect your decision is the condition of the tailgate underneath the panel...The tailgate is a single panel of steel underneath that trim piece,and there could be a lot of bumps and bruises that will show up when the trim panel is off...

[FORDification]

I'm more of a 'back to basics' fan. I myself probably wouldn't put it back on since the truck just looks cleaner without it. Of course, if it's in really great shape (which most aren't) then I might be tempted to use it.

[Big Blue 72]

The metal underneath the trim piece is in good shape. About the only body work that would have to be done before painting is to fill in the rivet holes that attached the trim to the tailgate. I lean to keeping the trim on. I've got a friend who insists it looks better with it off. I just want to poll others to settle who has the more popular opinion

[kentdaryl]

I like the looks of the smaller panels over a bare 'gate. Just my 2 cents.
Daryl

[1970F250]

i think it looks better without it.

[OldBlue67]

I like 'em without, but I'm a 67 girl so I'm biased

[390Nut]

Depends on what other trim you have on the truck. If you are going "trimless" with say, no belt-line trim and such, then yeah I'ld take it off. If you're going to have the belt-line trim in place, then I would have the tailight trim, and the tail gate trim to match. JMO

[steveheer]

I voted No because I truly like the looks of a cleaner tailgate without all the stuff. It looks older and more true to the era. Now that being said, if I had a 72 I may feel differently because it's STOCK

[Redcap]

No trim looks far better.

[NM5K]

Myself, depends on if all original, does the rest
of the truck use the trim, etc... I generally like all
original if not changing for some reason. So....
If the rest of the trucks trim is used, and it had it
from the factory, yes, I would use it. But if it didn't
use it from the factory, or you decided not to use
the trim on the rest of the truck, I wouldn't use it.
I don't like adding trim to plain jane trucks too much,
but if it's a ranger, etc, and is loaded with trim from
the factory, I'd most likely use it.
MK

[wildcard]

Personally I prefer no trim. Seems like another piece to try to wash around and a good place for rust to get a hold. But you drive it so go for what you like.

[spartman]

One word....

CHROME!!!!!!

[rjewkes]

leave it on/put it back on. MHO is they look better that way especialy with the rest of the trim package. But also if you remove it and all the rest of the trim then you'll have holes that will eventualy lose their filler.