Does my Ranger tailgate have FORD stamped in it?

[mac3687]

Figured I'd make this as easy as possible! I'm just wondering if my '69 F100 Ranger has the word FORD stamped into the tailgate under the black and silver piece that is riveted on. My truck is the Lunar Green/Wimbeldon white combo, and I'd love to show as much of the teal off as possible, but don't want to pry that piece off if the tailgate itself is just smooth underneath. Thanks!

[mk]

Just look at the backside of your tailgate; if you can see a reverse image of the ford letters it is stamped.


mike

[mrollings53]

Just look at the backside of your tailgate; if you can see a reverse image of the ford letters it is stamped.


mike

Doesn't quit work like that. I would take the latch out and take a mirror and a flash light and drop it down inside the tailgate. Then, if you see a reverse ford stamp then you know.

[mk]

Doesn't quite work like that. I would take the latch out and take a mirror and a flash light and drop it down inside the tailgate. Then, if you see a reverse ford stamp then you know.

You might want to take another look...
The tailgates on these trucks are made from from one long stamping folded back on itself top and bottom, with the ends spot welded above and below the lettered area. The letter stamped area is a single thickness; good luck fitting a mirror and flashlight in there.


mike

[68 Ford Stepside]

Dennis Carpenter makes thier tailgates from Fords original tooling. The tailgate for your truck in thier catalog has FORD stamped across it, but also has a zillion holes in it for the trim to snap in.

[Calfdemon]

All of the tailgates I have seen with the silver/black plate removed have said FORD underneath. I have yet to see one that didn't and I have removed 3 of them myself. Doesn't make it 100%, but the tailgates were all made the same and then trim packages were added depending what was specified for that truck. I am pretty sure all of the bump tailgates say FORD underneath.

[fbomb100]

well hows this lets see the gate you have !!!!!!!!! put up so pics please
to help you

[mk]

I am pretty sure all of the bump tailgates say FORD underneath.

Me too, unless it's one of those cheapo repops...
I believe mrolling was thinking of the 80-86 gates.


mike

[michael69]

If its a factory 67-72 tailgate it has the ford stamped in it. Some of the cheap aftermarket ones are smooth.

[mac3687]

Thank you guys for all of the replies, I'm fairly certain it's original as the paint is faded uniformly. I don't know why I never noticed the reverse FORD stamped in the gate, but it's there... Must be the 1/8" or so of rubber bedliner paint the PO put on. It looks like prying the silver trim piece off is the only method, or am I missing something?

[mk]

Don't pry it off. The trim piece was made to match the upraised bead around the letters exactly and was riveted in place through that bead. There are eight or ten 1/8 rivets I believe and you'll have to find and drill them through the back side. You'll have to dig some of that bedliner out of the bead to find them. Less chance of ruining the trim and/or tailgate that way.


mike

[ScottT80]

Great color combo... I'd love to see some pics...

[mrollings53]

Doesn't quite work like that. I would take the latch out and take a mirror and a flash light and drop it down inside the tailgate. Then, if you see a reverse ford stamp then you know.

You might want to take another look...
The tailgates on these trucks are made from from one long stamping folded back on itself top and bottom, with the ends spot welded above and below the lettered area. The letter stamped area is a single thickness; good luck fitting a mirror and flashlight in there.


mike

My apologies, you're right. To be honest though I haven't even seen my truck in close to a month. I thought it was smooth on the inside, but I was just watching a scene from Mr. Majestyk and they showed the inside of the tailgate. Sure enough the letters are there.

[mac3687]

Thanks again for all of the input. Here are a few photos, as well as my matching Honda Shadow. Funny thing is I painted the bike from a can of spraypaint about five years ago and then just found the truck in April. It was meant to be I believe...

Before hand painting the door

Door detail

Another fun angle. Painted the tank and then did a little faux patina work. Got the real thing with the truck!