When it comes to replacing the tailgate on your Ford F250 truck, you may want to consider all of your options. This leads people to wonder if they can replace the tailgate on their F250 with an F150 tailgate.
In certain year models, the tailgate for the Ford F150 and F250 can be interchanged. In most cases, if the model years are the same and the bed size is the same, F150 and F250 tailgates are interchangeable.
Finding the right F150 tailgate to replace your F250 will depend entirely on the year model you currently have. Let’s take a look at some of the factors you should consider before replacing your tailgate.
Is the Bed of an F250 the Same as an F150?
Depending on the year model and the exact truck you choose, many of the Ford F250 and F150 beds are the same. This is because both models of trucks offer either longer beds or shorter beds to fit the individual’s needs.
For example, both the F250 and the F150 have a truck with an 8-foot bed as well as some that are about 6 ½ feet. There are some differences in the bed sizes in some models depending on what you are looking for.
Why Would You Need to Replace the Tailgate?
If you use your Ford truck for purposes other than just driving such as towing and hauling various materials, over time the tailgate on the truck suffers. The motion of opening and closing the tailgate can wreak havoc on the mechanics.
Eventually, after continuous use, the truck’s tailgate either becomes almost unbearable to try to open, or stops opening altogether. If this is the case for you, it may be time to replace it.
Additionally, in some cases, over time and lots of use, the tailgate shows its wear and tear more than the rest of the truck. So, some people choose to replace their tailgates for more aesthetic reasons.
Here’s a quick video showing how to remove the tailgate:
The Year of the Truck Matters When Interchanging the Tailgate?
It is important to keep in mind that when you are looking to replace your tailgate, you may need to look carefully. While it makes more sense to look for an F250 tailgate replacement if you own an F250, however, sometimes you may have to look elsewhere.
The F150 and F250 tailgates in certain years are identical, meaning that they can be interchanged with each other. This makes replacing the tailgate even easier since it opens up your choices.
You do, however, have to be careful when choosing an F150 tailgate to replace an F250 one since there are only certain year models that will work. More specifically, if your F250 is the tenth series, or made from 1997-2004, you are more likely to be able to interchange the tailgates.
Where Should You Look for a Replacement Tailgate?
There are many places you can go to look for a replacement tailgate for your Ford F250 truck, depending on how much you wish to spend. From salvage yards to dealerships there are many options that you can choose from.
Going to a salvage yard to find a replacement tailgate can be either hit or miss since you cannot always find exactly what you are looking for. However, when you do find the diamond in the ruff, you typically will pay much less than if you had gone to a dealership.
Additionally, looking online can help you to find what you are looking for if you don’t mind taking the time to do so. Places such as eBay, Craigslist, and even Facebook can help find what you are looking for.
If you are in a hurry to replace your tailgate, your fastest option is to seek professional help from a dealership or body shop. While these places are likely to be more expensive, they can usually find what you are looking for much quicker.
How Much Does it Cost to Replace the F250 Tailgate?
Another factor you should consider carefully is the cost to replace the tailgate.
This is because it will typically cost anywhere between $100-$500 or more to find a compatible replacement to suit your Ford F250 truck.
You will need to be sure you are getting your new tailgate from a reputable source, or you may find yourself stuck with something you may not want. In some cases, especially if you try to get the tailgate on the cheap, you may find that the replacement is no better than the one you need to replace.
This does not mean, however, that you have to pay top dollar for a good tailgate replacement, just that you should know what you are getting into. Because of this, you may want to buy locally only so you can go and inspect the tailgate before purchasing it.
Things to Look for When Replacing a Ford F250 Tailgate with an F150
When you are looking to replace the tailgate on your Ford F250 truck, there are certain details that you may want to consider. In doing so, you should be able to find the perfect one for your truck.
Here are some factors you should consider:
- Cost
- Measurements
- Year model
- Condition
While this list is not exhaustive, it is a good start when you are just beginning your search for the best replacement for your F250 tailgate. Keep in mind that many of these details can be the difference in finding the best replacement.
Most experts agree that out of all of these factors, measuring will give you the best results since you will be able to know exactly if it fits or not. If you fail to measure then you will not be sure that the new tailgate will fit until you are installing it. Which may be too late.
Final Thoughts
The bottom line is that you can replace your Ford F250 tailgate with an F150 one if it is the correct model and has the right measurements. For best results, you will want to consider a few important factors such as getting it from a reputable source, cost, and taking the proper measurements.