Aluminum tailgate

[bogart219]

Hello,
The Ranger I just got has an aluminum tailgate. I thought this was odd being how tailgates take a beating. Is this common? Thanks!

 

[straycat]

Post a photo, Bro. Are you talking about a stock tailgate or an after market one? My hood on my 99 Ranger is aluminum, it came that way. I went to open it the first time after I bought it and I nearly hit myself in the mouth with it. It weighs almost nothing compared to other trucks that I have owned.

 

[GoodOld85BlueBalls]

Hello,
The Ranger I just got has an aluminum tailgate. I thought this was odd being how tailgates take a beating. Is this common? Thanks!

If it is diamond plated it is aftermarket. I had one that just went over the lip and down the inside to the hinge. It was great for not tearing up the tail gate and added some strength without the weight of a steel one.

Post a picture so we can see it.

 

[Mark_88]

I'd like to see this...I know it won't fit my 88 but my tailgate weighs as much as a beached whale...a fresh beached whale, that is...and was contemplating an alternative other than just leaving it off...

Pics > ???? svp!

 

[Mac]

Don't under estimate the strenght and durabilty of alum. 30 years ago a couple of us made some alum skid skid plates for our dirt bikes out of 6064-T3 alum,(that's an aircraft type heat treated alum) lasted better than the stock steel ones. Every car/truck manufacturer is having to cut the weight out of everything.
Dave

 

[Ranger Sport Honduras]

Post a photo, Bro. Are you talking about a stock tailgate or an after market one? My hood on my 99 Ranger is aluminum, it came that way. I went to open it the first time after I bought it and I nearly hit myself in the mouth with it. It weighs almost nothing compared to other trucks that I have owned.

yeah 98+ are made of aluminum. i thought mine was a cheap aftermarket replacement until i saw it was factory.

 

[Mac]

Well, I went out and checked out my '98, 2000 and the 03' and all were steel. Well maybe not the 2000, it's got a tailgate cover on the inside. Heard even that some hood in the later ones were a composite material.
Dave

 

[SpeedNinja]

My 2000 and my brother's 2002 are steel...

 

[colby450xc]

How are you sure it is aluminum. I have yet to see a factory replacement that is made of aluminum. I replaced my rusted out factory tailgate with a cheapo Autofit tailgate. it looks the same but weighs a lot less. Not sure where the metal is missing but it must be with how light it is. Either way I don't care, it was $50 plus paint.

 

[LIMA BEAN]

A magnet tell's the story quick and easy.

 

[bogart219]

I will take pictures and use magnet and post back!

 

[Ranger Sport Honduras]

Well, I went out and checked out my '98, 2000 and the 03' and all were steel. Well maybe not the 2000, it's got a tailgate cover on the inside. Heard even that some hood in the later ones were a composite material.
Dave

the raised dome on the 01-03 edge hood was fiberglass i think. i can replace it in case its damaged

 

[wintermute]

the raised dome on the 01-03 edge hood was fiberglass i think. i can replace it in case its damaged

I'm pretty sure the hood on my '03 Edge is steel. It even has a braided grounding strap on the passenger side hinge. Not sure what that's all about though.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

I have yet to see an aluminum tailgate so I'm curious about this.

A lot of 98+ Rangers got aluminum hoods. The disadvantage is that they dent easily. A lot of the "Edge" style hoods that had the raised sections were fiberglass - which made them quite heavy. Not sure how it would compare in weight to a steel hood, but I had got one of those fiberglass ones with a minor crack for next to nothing intending to put it on my Ranger... till I realized how heavy it was in comparison.

 

[GoodOld85BlueBalls]

yes. post pictures. I have never seen one, must see to believe.