How-to
1985 Ford Bronco Tailgate Replacement
The tailgate on this 1985 Ford Bronco was rusted out along the bottom, and the tension bar snapped a weld and took out the glass. These photos follow the removal of the old tailgate, from the taillight and wiring through the tension bar and mounting bolts, and the fitting of a replacement gate.
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Step 1
Inspect the tailgate before starting. On this truck the bottom is rusted through, and the tension bar snapped a weld and took out the window.
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Step 2
Remove the driver side taillight to reach the wiring. A tailgate without rear defrost has 2 lights and one 3-pin plug connector; a tailgate with rear defrost has 2 lights, one 3-pin plug, one 1-pin plug and a ground wire that screws into the panel under the lights.
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Step 3
Disconnect all of the plugs. Squeeze the grommet and push it through the hole.
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Step 4
Unbolt the tension bar. Close the tailgate as far as it will go first so there is no tension left on the bar, because the bracket will be thrown a long way if it is still loaded.
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Step 5
Leave the 3 bolts holding the bracket shown here in place, since the tailgate cannot come out with that bracket attached. Remove instead the 3 bolts at the bottom of the tailgate.
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Step 6
With the tailgate disconnected, remove the wire straps holding it up. Support the gate as the straps come off, as it is heavy.
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Step 7
Fit the replacement tailgate. Phillip Hemphill reports that getting it aligned was difficult and the alignment is still not perfect, but the window works, which was the point of fitting it before Labor Day. The photos end here, with no reassembly of the lights or wiring shown.
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