Tailgate holes - Emblem? Drains?

[PaulZ]

My '99 Ranger has two small holes in the center of the tailgate, about an inch up from the bottom and 6 inches apart. Appear to be original, undisturbed paint. Has the Ford oval emblem on the right side. Is there something that was put in those holes on some models, or are they drain holes? It's a 4x4 XLT extended cab, might be an Edge.

 

[Ranger850]

My '99 Ranger has two small holes in the center of the tailgate, about an inch up from the bottom and 6 inches apart. Appear to be original, undisturbed paint. Has the Ford oval emblem on the right side. Is there something that was put in those holes on some models, or are they drain holes? It's a 4x4 XLT extended cab, might be an Edge.

Pics?

 

[sgtsandman]

It sounds like the tailgate was replaced with a later model tailgate that originally intended to have the logo in the center.

 

[PaulZ]

Maybe a dealer emblem at one time. Been looking online, nothing..

 

[Josh B]

Spare tailgate for James Bond, when making his getaway ink would spray out those holes to cover the plate numbers

 

[Grumpaw]

Spare tailgate for James Bond, when making his getaway ink would spray out those holes to cover the plate numbers

Obviously the system still works cause the license plate is inked out...

Grumpaw

 

[Josh B]

Whether or not they're factory is a toss-up. They're not centered with the bumper pad or license plate, not sure about the gate handle, but they were placed there with some precision, and likely drilled, I rather doubt any punch could work there without some amount of ripple, I'm fairly certain those are at or less than a 3/64" hole

 

[RonD]

Almost looks like there was/is a dent there, so paintless dent removal maybe

 

[sgtsandman]

Those holes aren't where I thought. My guess is along the lines of RonD. Otherwise, those holes make no sense.

 

[Ramcharger90]

Looks like speed holes to me.

 

[91stranger]

That's definitely not factory.... I would plug them up to keep water out..... Or..... drill them out more and put LED's in there like the little eagle eye LED's.

 

[r1ch999999]

Maybe someone tried to add a backup camera and didn’t realize it mounted to the license plate.