steve mcqueen 1,796 Posted October 8, 2014 Hey team. Im looking to get a replacement X series tailgate for a mates XF ute over the next couple of weeks. There are some sellers of these on evil bay and wanted your opinions on these after market tailgates. So,,,,, Have you ever bought one and what was the fit and finish like? Links please if you can help out or just some feed back. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EgoXF 2,026 Posted October 8, 2014 i brought one about five years ago and it looks and fits fine. there's no ripples or anything in it so im more than happy. unfortunately i don't remember the brand so this isn't much help to you but i think the key is too not buy the cheapest one on there haha 1 steve mcqueen reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
deankxf 20,266 Posted October 8, 2014 the aftermarket ones i have seen, (and had) were straight and fit well, much lighter. but BEND very easy.don't stand or sit in the middle of them. 3 Thom, XTREME KARTS XF and steve mcqueen reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
steve mcqueen 1,796 Posted October 8, 2014 but BEND very easy. don't stand or sit in the middle of them. That dont sound real well. thanks for the heads up. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SLO247 1,713 Posted October 8, 2014 Nowhere near as strong as the genuine ones. Fit OK just need to be gentle. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
deankxf 20,266 Posted October 8, 2014 That dont sound real well. thanks for the heads up. at a guess, the original weighs twice as much. reskinning an original or finding a good second hand one and fixing the dents would be the go if you use the ute for duties. 1 XTREME KARTS XF reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
XTREME KARTS XF 1,212 Posted October 9, 2014 the aftermarket ones i have seen, (and had) were straight and fit well, much lighter. but BEND very easy. don't stand or sit in the middle of them. So thats why the tailgate bent when i was at Finley BnS, someones XF ball ute had one of those re-pop tailgates and it bent lol. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
steve mcqueen 1,796 Posted October 9, 2014 at a guess, the original weighs twice as much. reskinning an original or finding a good second hand one and fixing the dents would be the go if you use the ute for duties. Re skinning this bad boy im gonna say is a no go as the inside skin is shagged and rusted out to. If i can get a good second hand Ford item id be real happy. I haven't looked yet for one so ill go see whats out there. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
XF001 93 Posted October 9, 2014 Don't know if xg tailgate is the same but Wagoon is stripping an xg ute and the tailgate looks ok. 1 wagoon reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Valvebouncer 2,389 Posted October 9, 2014 Another thing to remember is trying to get the old one off. Start soaking the bolts in wd40 or rots off from wurth if you can get some. These bolts always seem to seize from the thread rusting inside the tailgate. If it's a late model xf (1988 on) make sure you eat your weetbix in the morning before trying to undo the Allen key bolts, they are a nightmare!, Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wagoon 2,429 Posted October 9, 2014 Thanks XF001 for the mention Yeah I have just taken a tailgate off an XH and can confirm that many a weetbix are needed to remove the hex head bolt, but I only have a small L shaped handle for undoing the bolts as none of my ratcheting screw driver handles were strong enough to remove the bolt. I used CRC and left soak for 5 minutes which got 5 out of the 6 loose. With the last one I just used a small hammer and tapped the bracket to help loosen what the crc couldnt and it came out no worries. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ants 6,370 Posted October 9, 2014 Buy ^ that one. Original is by far the best. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mr Polson 10,214 Posted October 9, 2014 Falcon ute tailgates are the same from 78 to 98 (I think). XD-XH anyway. I have a 89 ute and it has just Phillips head screws, could've easily been out and had new screws in though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ants 6,370 Posted October 9, 2014 They are the same from 72-99, xa-xh. 2 omgwizards and Mr Polson reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mr Polson 10,214 Posted October 9, 2014 Well there you go. Ford really didn't like change back then. 2 omgwizards and EgoXF reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SLO247 1,713 Posted October 9, 2014 I thought they looked the same but never knew for sure. Awesome. If you can get a decent genuine one grab it. I bent my aftermarket one a few months after painting the car. Pissed me right off. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ants 6,370 Posted October 9, 2014 Au to fgx will be 99-16, so they are still at it. 1 omgwizards reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EgoXF 2,026 Posted October 9, 2014 They are the same from 72-99, xa-xh. unbelievable! i guess they figure that if something works well, why bother changing it? which would be why the ute bodies where the same for so many models. makes it easy to get certain parts at least Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Thom 6,650 Posted October 9, 2014 But then you have the one off bastardised front that is on the xh that doesn't interchange with anything else Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mr Polson 10,214 Posted October 9, 2014 Well they have to be difficult occasionally. 1 wagoon reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
n00bus m@x1mus 465 Posted October 9, 2014 If you do settle on an aftermarket gate steve then be sure to run a few stitches of weld around the seams as they are simply pressed over and then a bit of seal sealer worked over it. They twist and carry on and you can never get alignment to stay spot on with the skin not bonded to the frame. Only needs a few tacks but obviously the more you do along the long sides will help aid in strength too. 2 steve mcqueen and XTREME KARTS XF reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
steve mcqueen 1,796 Posted October 10, 2014 Thanks guys, great team work. Im prolly gonna buy the one from wagoon, we discussing now. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
