Anyone have experience with the various aftermarket tailgates? Mine has some cheap aftermarket gate. Flexes with any any load even just sitting on it. Very light, comes off the pins if not closing carefully. The side panel that holds the latch and sits on the lower pivot pin on the bedside has broken free and is now mangled. I could make this work but I would really like a truly equivalent to OE Ford tailgate. Same weight or heavier, same gauge metal or thicket, same bracing/stamping or more rigid... etc. and preferably retain original external appearance.
I don't understand why there are these $100-$200 aftermarket tailgates that just bent and break so easily. It's difficult to determine how many companies actually make these and what brand a company is actually selling. They also don't like to disclose the weight of items, which in the case of a tailgate seems to be the best indicator of quality. I have never had problems with actual Ford tailgates on several 80-86 trucks flexing, cracking, breaking, etc. and I've used and abused them far more than I have this light flexible tailgate. Unfortunately when I do see originals for sale they are usually rusted out.
Amazon lists one that has a shipping weight of 41 lbs, hopefully not all packing material. It says multiple manufacturers though, not a specific company.
http://www.amazon.com/Evan-Fischer-EVA17272011215-Tailgate-design-Primered/dp/B009DJXLSM
Summit lists a Shermin brand tailgate.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/shi-575-71/overview/year/1986/make/ford/model/f-350
https://www.shermanparts.com/ecat/base/dropdowns.php?last0=Ford&last1=Pickup+%2853-98%29&make=Ford&model=Pickup+%2853-98%29&year=1986
LMC lists two tailgates. 49-8331 "REPRO-PLAIN" for $150 which looks like every other generic or unknown brand I'd seen. They also list 49-8316 "OE W/FORD" which they say is 80-82 only, for $500. I called them last year asking about the $500 tailgate and they didn't know manufacturer, weight, or gauge of metal. While I will pay $500 for a quality tailgate I won't gamble that much on getting the same thin flexy cheap Chinese junk that's on my truck now.
I just checked Dennis Carpenter and they list a tailgate for $400 Made in USA. Considering buying this as I suspect they actually make it themself and I have been pleased with quality of other things I've ordered from them, though that has mostly been rubber, seals, knobs, and other small rubber or plastic parts as opposed to sheet metal or structural parts. http://dennis-carpenter.com/tail-gate/p/E0TZ-9940700-A/
Any other companies offering a tailgate? Any experience with any of the above or with Dennis Carpenter specifically?
I don't understand why there are these $100-$200 aftermarket tailgates that just bent and break so easily. It's difficult to determine how many companies actually make these and what brand a company is actually selling. They also don't like to disclose the weight of items, which in the case of a tailgate seems to be the best indicator of quality. I have never had problems with actual Ford tailgates on several 80-86 trucks flexing, cracking, breaking, etc. and I've used and abused them far more than I have this light flexible tailgate. Unfortunately when I do see originals for sale they are usually rusted out.
Amazon lists one that has a shipping weight of 41 lbs, hopefully not all packing material. It says multiple manufacturers though, not a specific company.
http://www.amazon.com/Evan-Fischer-EVA17272011215-Tailgate-design-Primered/dp/B009DJXLSM
Summit lists a Shermin brand tailgate.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/shi-575-71/overview/year/1986/make/ford/model/f-350
https://www.shermanparts.com/ecat/base/dropdowns.php?last0=Ford&last1=Pickup+%2853-98%29&make=Ford&model=Pickup+%2853-98%29&year=1986
LMC lists two tailgates. 49-8331 "REPRO-PLAIN" for $150 which looks like every other generic or unknown brand I'd seen. They also list 49-8316 "OE W/FORD" which they say is 80-82 only, for $500. I called them last year asking about the $500 tailgate and they didn't know manufacturer, weight, or gauge of metal. While I will pay $500 for a quality tailgate I won't gamble that much on getting the same thin flexy cheap Chinese junk that's on my truck now.
I just checked Dennis Carpenter and they list a tailgate for $400 Made in USA. Considering buying this as I suspect they actually make it themself and I have been pleased with quality of other things I've ordered from them, though that has mostly been rubber, seals, knobs, and other small rubber or plastic parts as opposed to sheet metal or structural parts. http://dennis-carpenter.com/tail-gate/p/E0TZ-9940700-A/
Any other companies offering a tailgate? Any experience with any of the above or with Dennis Carpenter specifically?