Tailgate question

[vonburger]

The tailgate on my ford f100 is orange, but the rest of the truck is blue and white. Is it worthwhile to have it painted (or paint it myself?) Or should i just get a tailgate net? I will be doing mostly in town , some off road and highway driving. Does towing have anything to do with this?

[mrollings53]

Is the rest of the paint on the truck in excellent condition? If it looks like it's 40 years old, I wouldn't worry about; as long as the tailgate functions as it's supposed to. If your paint is in excellent condition, I would consider painting the tailgate to match.

[vonburger]

Is the rest of the paint on the truck in excellent condition? If it looks like it's 40 years old, I wouldn't worry about; as long as the tailgate functions as it's supposed to. If your paint is in excellent condition, I would consider painting the tailgate to match.

The tailgate hard to operate, to open it you have to yank and pull. You have to use all of your weight to get it to close even with teh handle fully pulled back. The paint is old but a little rubbing compound and it is a beautfiful blue color, the white is still white except for the rust holes.

[hazelnut]

Sounds like the tailgate is out of alignment if its that hard to work with. If the tailgate isnt rusted out or beat up its worth painting, Doing it yourself has its rewards.

[vonburger]

Sounds like the tailgate is out of alignment if its that hard to work with. If the tailgate isnt rusted out or beat up its worth painting, Doing it yourself has its rewards.

I think the insides are rusted but the shell is just fine, minus being orange and scratched.

[72BahamaBlue]

"
The tailgate hard to operate, to open it you have to yank and pull. You have to use all of your weight to get it to close even with teh handle fully pulled back. The paint is old but a little rubbing compound and it is a beautfiful blue color, the white is still white except for the rust holes.

Sound like it needs some attention, it should open and close easily.
Check the hinge areas on the tailgate, it can get out of round causing one or both sides to drop. The gate often moves up/down when hitting a bump, hogging out that area. Check it with the gate open just beyond clearing the side latches...lift up and see how much movement at the hinge for each side. Might need reinforcing, there's not much metal there.
Side latches and opening mechanism can be easily removed for inspection and greasing. Don't lose those tiny clips!
The strikers sometimes have shims, change tailgates and you may have to change or rearrange the shims to get both side to fully latch.
Check the rear bed opening, needs to be square or pretty close.
I wouldn't drive without a tailgate, it helps support the top of the bed post sides at the opening.
My !

[vonburger]

"
The tailgate hard to operate, to open it you have to yank and pull. You have to use all of your weight to get it to close even with teh handle fully pulled back. The paint is old but a little rubbing compound and it is a beautfiful blue color, the white is still white except for the rust holes.

Sound like it needs some attention, it should open and close easily.
Check the hinge areas on the tailgate, it can get out of round causing one or both sides to drop. The gate often moves up/down when hitting a bump, hogging out that area. Check it with the gate open just beyond clearing the side latches...lift up and see how much movement at the hinge for each side. Might need reinforcing, there's not much metal there.
Side latches and opening mechanism can be easily removed for inspection and greasing. Don't lose those tiny clips!
The strikers sometimes have shims, change tailgates and you may have to change or rearrange the shims to get both side to fully latch.
Check the rear bed opening, needs to be square or pretty close.
I wouldn't drive without a tailgate, it helps support the top of the bed post sides at the opening.
My !

thanks for the Info. Not sure when im going to get around to it though