Does anyone know if a 2nd gen. tailgate is *technically* the same as a 1st gen.? I'm wanting a louvered 5th wheel style tailgate, and, of course, there aren't any available. Just wondering if a 2nd gen. would work...sort of.

 

Have a look at the photo off the air gate I made for mine. ad removed

 

I have one thats made of square tubing and expanded metal for a 1stgen. PM me

 

Just curious why you want it louvered? You know that it will adversley effect your fuel mileage, right?

 

I'll only use the tailgate when I'm towing my 5th wheel. The louvers help a little to push the air down under the trailer a bit so you don't get as much spray up on the area right behind the truck in wet conditions. I don't think the mileage *with trailer* will be affected. And, I like the look of the louvers. All other times I'll use my regular tailgate with my tonnoue cover.

 

Okay, that's cool... just wanted to make sure that you're not going to be one of those guys who puts a louvered tailgate or cargo net for "better economy".

 

They are diffrent. The 2nd Gen beds taper so the tail gate is narrower. I tried to swap an old headache rack from my old '87 to the '96 that replaced it after an unpleasent/untimely spontaineous combustion of epic proportions. I miss that truck.

 

I know a guy who had a 5th wheel tailgate from a 80s Ford on his (soon to be mine at the time) 91 Dodge. take a T-60 Torx bit and loosen up the catches on the side of the bed and move them to where they need to be, and the Ford tailgate will fit perfectly. Or at least his did. He kept his airgate, and I kept my tailgate when we traded trucks.

Daniel

 

Yes. I found some information that *suggests* (by alluding to the same part numbers) that Ford 87-98 and Chevy/GMC 81-91 would work. But this is good to know that it has, for sure, worked.

 

I couldnt completly disagree more. I run a 5th wheel louvered tailgate. 22MPG highway, and 18MPG mixed, religiously with plenty of fuel, n skinny pedel.

I do not know what mine is off of as it just fits, but it is obviously not for a 1st Gen, the body lines dont match, I'd sell u mine but im waiting for a paint job then the stock, original, pinky finger open'n, and close'n tailgate will go on.
I'll see if I can find some part numbers.
I belive the PO said it was off of a second Gen.

 

In these aerodynamic bricks, I dont think a tailgate being up or down will affect you one way or another. It has been proven in wind tunnels that putting the tailgate down can increase drag, which increases fuel consumption. Cowboy CUstoma- Have you experimented to see what you get MPG-wise with the tailgate up?

DP

 

Luverne Truck accesories used to make a chrome or stainless one for these trucks, I won one of of ebay, but they would not ship it 300 mi, cheap sob's

 

Cowboy,

I think that tailgate looks just fine! If you could find some numbers or a manufacturer that would be great.

 

D~ No I havent. Im to afraid of getting that beauty of a tailgate dirty! I'm serious, pinky opens it, n pinky closes it. I wrapped it in a sheet, then shrink wrapped it like 5 times! I think Greg (G1625S) has seen it. It'll go on after new paint.............. MAYBE................. It'll probably be more of a show piece for meets n stuff.

Tuck: It fits perfect, the height, and width is like it was made for a 1st Gen. Just sticks out a little where the body line cuts in at the top. I will go out in a few and have a looksie, n report back for ya.

 

I have two buddies that have lovered 5th wheel tailgates on their first gen trucks - so I know someone makes them. BTW they both bought their trucks with them.