So where does a fella pick up the parts to fix the comonly dreaded rusty tailgate hinge problem the older ferds seem to have? Mines shot and I use it too much to just leave it go. Any help is appreciated, thanks in advance...

 

I went to the dealer, took my truck and the parts guy came out and fixed me up on the spot.
but heres a link for LMC Truck Parts
http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/fe/full.aspx?Page=23

good luck

 

SWEET! Thanks a million! Was it cheaper for you to go to the dealer or LMC?

 

At the time, the prices were about the same with shipping, and needing my tailgate, I didn't want to wait. Today dealer parts seemed to have went up. Dealer wanted $80.00 for a simple U Joint! I laughed! I mean it's a 2 wheel drive, I got a greasable U Joint from NAPA for under $20.00
(need my pay pal # for that Million ?)

 

A million thanks not a million dollars lol. Yea the stealerships are getting way outta hand these days... I'm gonna call em but I bet I go to LMC

 

Well I ordered most the parts from the local dealership for under $20. Now I need to fabricate the actual pipe/tubing that is pressed onto the tailgate itself, thats gone too. Idk what the hell someone was doing with this poor truck, but they werent taking care of it...

 

Very good, It seems your dealer was nice to you on price. I like the fab idea, gets the mind working being creative. Take a pic of the fab. I am sure thats the most over looked part on the truck as far as maintenance goes. Which reminds me, I need to grease mine! These Ohio winters can be tough on metal.

I was watching National News last night, and they said due to used vehicle shortages, the values on F150's has went up 18%, sure made my week end with a high!

 

Very true about the winters lol, thats awesome about the 18%! Is that serious?

 

Well I know it's been a while, but I finally fixed my gate the other day. I bought everything the dealer had for it, then bought a piece of pipe the same size id and cut it and prepped the gate, then welded it all up. Turned out great, I never realized how light these tail gates are when they function properly

 

And here I thought Ford had their rust-bucket image behind them. I've had more stuff rust off my truck than I could have possibly imagined.
The latest is the driver's side tailgate hinge. Both the easily replaceable hinge bracket mounted to the inner side of the box, as well as the hinge cup that's welded onto the tailgate. I priced this stuff out on LMC and the outer hinge bracket looks like the right unit, but the inner cup that they show is only the plastic bushing. The steel cup doesn't look like a serviceable unit. I'm almost ready to have someone weld a heavy sheetmetal cup onto the tailgate bracket.
Any suggestions before I do something irreversible?