My 1997 F350 XLT (dually) did not have a tailgate when I bought it. Would the original have been solid w/ the Ford decal, or the one with the wide aluminum band all the way across? Thx.
Aluminium band seems to be the most common on the XLT trucks. But honestly who cares, any 8th or 9th gen tailgate works. I'm rocking a 8th gen on my truck
Solid with the Ford badge for a 97. Really it's a personal preference thing. I prefer the solid. Or the solid with the Ford stamped into it. And don't particularly care for the ones with the trim panel
I really don't either. Current TG is a rough one I picked up at a salvage yard. It's pretty significantly caved on the inside. I can Bondo the outside to look decent (thank goodness my truck is white!) but the decals are not available, are they. I've tried LMC and eBay so far
"Junker" OEM tailgate is far higher quality than new aftermarket. I've read reports of aftermarket tailgates bending with the weight of one human on them.
I like the stamped ones. I personally perfer the solid. And I wouldn't worry about badges. I like the clean look without them. I have zero badges on my truck.
^^^^^^^
I agree. If you just want a tailgate then the aftermarket ones will work. But if you are going to stand, or sit on it then find one from a junkyard and rebuild it if you have to. I have seen aftermarket ones fold up like a pretzel.
One of my friends bought a new aftermarket tailgate and it failed first time out when his kid dropped a hay bale on it, about a hundred pounds, while just standing in the bed. Friend was plenty PO'ed over that.
As far as what's correct? Its whatever floats your boat.
Like others have stated, if you actually USE your truck then get an OEM tailgate from 87-97. The aftermarket ones are made VERY PORELY.
As for what tailgate came on the truck in 1997
I'll give the run down..
87-91 XL's had the stamped gate with the ford letters stamped into them.
XLs and Lariats came with the aluminum panel and a red reflector
92-96 XL's were Smooth with FORD stickers in the upper right corner
XLT's(no lariats from 92-97) had the aluminum with a black reflector(for had ford letters in the reflector, one had ford ovals)
97 XL's still had the ford sticker in the upper right corner
XLT's had a ford oval emblem in the lower right and F-250 or F350 emblem in the lower left
My brother's '85 Lariat came with the panel with ribbed red reflector. Chrome block Ford letters on right side of reflector.
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