OEM tailgate vs. Reproduction from JBG, etc.?

bosshoff · 01-16-2013, 04:50 PM

Is a Ford OEM tailgate really any better than a reproduction from say JBG? I do not have a show truck. I just wonder how well a repro will fit, and how much "fitting" will be required vs. the OEM. Thanks.

Mikey350 · 01-16-2013, 05:27 PM

My original tailgate on my '96 (that I bought new in Oct 1995) lasted until 2001, when it developed about a 2" hole in the bottom, I replaced it with the cheapest tailgate shell I could find, and it lasted until about 2010. So I got 6 years out of the OEM, and about 9 from a reproduction. I think it has more to do with the prep work you do on the replacement, and where you live (I live in the rust belt, salted roads from November to April).
As far as "fitment", everything bolted up just fine, I have an inside spare so I didn't have any issues with the extra support inside the tailgate, and the only PITA was drilling all the holes for the tailgate trim piece (that big stainless piece).
This spring I'm planning on replacing it again, the cheapest I could find is from this place, which just happens to be about 2 miles from me, JBG is only about 25 miles away, so no big deal. I've never bought anything from c2cfabrication, and I have bought a bunch of stuff from JBG.
https://c2cfabrication.com/store/adv...gate&x=55&y=12

Good Luck

bosshoff · 01-16-2013, 05:37 PM

Mikey, how do you suggest prepping the inside of a new tailgate? They already have that crappy black electrostatic primer. Should I top coat it with another primer, paint, and then seal with an antirust wax treatment (Noxudol 750)? Should I strip the primer, and use POR-15? Undercoating, Line-X? What do you guys think is best?

Steve83 · 01-16-2013, 05:40 PM

The factory parts are probably better if you can find them in nearly-new condition (little rust, few dents, no mods). But obviously, it's easier to find new repros in that condition if you've got the ca$h. If you find a useable original, strip EVERYTHING out of it, and wash it thoroughly before making any repairs. For either, it's critical to undercoat &/or paint the inside. If you have a swingaway, you should also reinforce the R side top before painting. Click my black Bronco in my sig & read the captions in the Tailgate Tech album, and the Right Side Split album.

This thread describes aligning a Bronco t/g:
http://www.fourdoorbronco.com/board/...gate-Alignment

Mikey350 · 01-16-2013, 05:45 PM

When I replaced my core support (on the '94), I called the POR-15 guys, and they told me that POR-15 only works well on bare metal, and that I should just wipe off the new core support with some of their "Marine Prep" stuff to get rid of any oil, then shoot the heck out of it with Rustoleum, or any other topcoat.
When I did my tailgate, I just sprayed the acrylic enamel (liberally) on the inside, outside, everywhere. Like I said, it lasted about 9 years.

f150inline · 01-16-2013, 05:49 PM

scuff it and then por15 it on the inside.

war1ock · 01-16-2013, 07:29 PM

The couple of repro tailgates ive dealt with have been up to par. I spray the inside with an auto body rustproofer.

whiteboysbronco · 01-16-2013, 07:59 PM

I found some great ones on eBay for 220... Check them out there!!!

01-16-2013, 04:50 PM	#1
bosshoff Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 53 iTrader: (0) Bronco Info: 67, 70, 73, & 96 DD	OEM tailgate vs. Reproduction from JBG, etc.? Is a Ford OEM tailgate really any better than a reproduction from say JBG? I do not have a show truck. I just wonder how well a repro will fit, and how much "fitting" will be required vs. the OEM. Thanks.

01-16-2013, 05:27 PM	#2
Mikey350 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Redford, MI Posts: 1,062 iTrader: (1) Bronco Info: 1996 Black 302 XLT - 1994 Green 351 E. B. both have E4OD, 3.55 axles, 31 10.50x15	My original tailgate on my '96 (that I bought new in Oct 1995) lasted until 2001, when it developed about a 2" hole in the bottom, I replaced it with the cheapest tailgate shell I could find, and it lasted until about 2010. So I got 6 years out of the OEM, and about 9 from a reproduction. I think it has more to do with the prep work you do on the replacement, and where you live (I live in the rust belt, salted roads from November to April). As far as "fitment", everything bolted up just fine, I have an inside spare so I didn't have any issues with the extra support inside the tailgate, and the only PITA was drilling all the holes for the tailgate trim piece (that big stainless piece). This spring I'm planning on replacing it again, the cheapest I could find is from this place, which just happens to be about 2 miles from me, JBG is only about 25 miles away, so no big deal. I've never bought anything from c2cfabrication, and I have bought a bunch of stuff from JBG. https://c2cfabrication.com/store/adv...gate&x=55&y=12 Good Luck __________________ "The simplest solution is usually the best solution" - Occam's Razor "The significant problems we face cannot be solved at the same level of thinking we were at when we created them." - Albert Einstein

01-16-2013, 05:40 PM	#4
Steve83 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Memphis, TN Posts: 32,223 iTrader: (98) Bronco Info: '83 VIN & title on '93 frame/body w/'95 4.9L & EB paint	The factory parts are probably better if you can find them in nearly-new condition (little rust, few dents, no mods). But obviously, it's easier to find new repros in that condition if you've got the ca$h. If you find a useable original, strip EVERYTHING out of it, and wash it thoroughly before making any repairs. For either, it's critical to undercoat &/or paint the inside. If you have a swingaway, you should also reinforce the R side top before painting. Click my black Bronco in my sig & read the captions in the Tailgate Tech album, and the Right Side Split album. This thread describes aligning a Bronco t/g: http://www.fourdoorbronco.com/board/...gate-Alignment __________________ Walk softly & carry a BIG SIX ! ! ! . .

01-16-2013, 05:45 PM	#5
Mikey350 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Redford, MI Posts: 1,062 iTrader: (1) Bronco Info: 1996 Black 302 XLT - 1994 Green 351 E. B. both have E4OD, 3.55 axles, 31 10.50x15	When I replaced my core support (on the '94), I called the POR-15 guys, and they told me that POR-15 only works well on bare metal, and that I should just wipe off the new core support with some of their "Marine Prep" stuff to get rid of any oil, then shoot the heck out of it with Rustoleum, or any other topcoat. When I did my tailgate, I just sprayed the acrylic enamel (liberally) on the inside, outside, everywhere. Like I said, it lasted about 9 years. __________________ "The simplest solution is usually the best solution" - Occam's Razor "The significant problems we face cannot be solved at the same level of thinking we were at when we created them." - Albert Einstein

01-16-2013, 05:49 PM	#6
f150inline Registered User Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Wayne PA Posts: 495 iTrader: (0) Bronco Info: f150	scuff it and then por15 it on the inside. __________________ 96 f150 straight 6, d44 SAS, 4.56s, Aussie lockers, 35 inch mtrs. My build thread http://www.fullsizebronco.com/forum/...d.php?t=213623

01-16-2013, 05:37 PM	#3
bosshoff Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 53 iTrader: (0) Bronco Info: 67, 70, 73, & 96 DD	Mikey, how do you suggest prepping the inside of a new tailgate? They already have that crappy black electrostatic primer. Should I top coat it with another primer, paint, and then seal with an antirust wax treatment (Noxudol 750)? Should I strip the primer, and use POR-15? Undercoating, Line-X? What do you guys think is best?

01-16-2013, 07:29 PM	#7
war1ock Registered User Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Dearborn County IN Posts: 155 iTrader: (1) Bronco Info: 1980 300 I6 4spd/1981 302 C6	The couple of repro tailgates ive dealt with have been up to par. I spray the inside with an auto body rustproofer.

01-16-2013, 07:59 PM	#8
whiteboysbronco Registered User Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: WA Posts: 55 iTrader: (0) Bronco Info: 92 FORD BRONCO EB( 5.8, 351) knn cold air,6 in lift,35 in super swampers, flow master full exhaust	I found some great ones on eBay for 220... Check them out there!!!

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