Will F150 Tailgate Fit F250? (Explained)

In certain F150s and F250s, the tailgates are interchangeable. This mainly applies to the Ford F-Series tenth generation that comprises trucks made from 1997 to 2004.

If your truck belongs to this series, you can interchange the tailgate with an F150 or vice versa with an F250.

Some Ford owners have also mentioned that this compatibility extends up to F150s and F250s made in 2008. As we advance, you will have to manually inspect whether an F150 tailgate will fit an F250.

Why is Year of Manufacture So Important When Fitting F150 Tailgate on an F250?

Ford F-Series has come a long way. Ever since they were introduced in the market decades ago, the F150 and F250 have shared a lot of similar features and designs.

For instance, the tailgates, doors, and even beds have been the same across various F150 and F250 models.

However, as time went by, Ford tried to differentiate these two vehicles so that each could have its own identity. This is why in most recent models, the tailgates aren’t interchangeable.

If you happen to own the older models of Ford trucks, you can use an F150 tailgate on your F250 and vice versa.

However, if you own a new model of the Ford F150 or F250, finding a tailgate from the other vehicle model will be hard. Please note that we have said it will be difficult and not impossible.

As you look around for an F150 tailgate to fit in your F250, you need to pay more attention to the year of manufacture of your car.

That will help narrow down your search because you will be able to find options that may easily fit your tailgate.

Reasons to Fit an F150 Tailgate on an F250

Tailgates undergo a lot of traffic and pressure. If you often use your truck bed, your tailgate has been opened a million times. This extensive use can lead to wear and tear on the tailgate.

After a few years, your F250 tailgate may look hideous and even stop working correctly. You will need to replace it with a much better-looking tailgate in such a scenario.

And since F150s are very popular on our roads, you can easily find a replacement for a broken-down F150.

This is why a car owner may be interested in fitting an F150 tailgate on an F250 tailgate. The problem usually arises due to incompatibility issues.

Where Can I Get an F150 Tailgate for My F250?

Having seen that there are specific models of the F150 that share the same tailgate design as the F250, let’s have a look at some of the places where you can get one.

There are two places where you can be assured of finding an F150 tailgate. The first is at a wrecking yard. Here you will find abandoned vehicles, and if you are lucky, you can get an F150 tailgate that will fit your F250.

If the wrecking yard near your home doesn’t have a tailgate for an F150, you can visit others. At a wrecking yard, the prices will be very low.

Alternatively, you can shop for an F150 tailgate online. These days, there are peer-to-peer websites where buyers can purchase car parts from other owners.

A good example is eBay. On eBay, you can get a functional F150 tailgate for your F250.

The good thing about shopping for a tailgate online is that you can confirm the size before buying it. Upon confirmation, you can find out if it’s the right fit.

How Much Do F150 Tailgates Cost?

The cost varies depending on the truck’s year and generation. OEM replacement parts price ranges anywhere between $100 and $500.

When evaluating price, you need to be careful because a cheaper tailgate can have structural issues, and the lights may be broken.

You will have to repair and replace such parts, which means you will spend more. It’s better to pay more for a tailgate with all parts intact. You can get an F150 tailgate at a wrecking yard for a much cheaper rate.

How Can I Be Sure an F150 Tailgate Will Fit My F250?

By confirming or asking for measurements. That’s the only way to ensure the F150 tailgate will fit your F250. As mentioned earlier, we can’t say for sure that all F150 tailgates will fit an F250.

Some will be bigger or smaller, more so from recent models. Suppose you are buying an F150 tailgate online. Ask for the measurements. Confirm with those on your F250.

If the measurements are the same, order and install the F150 tailgate. But if it’s not, keep on looking. If you are shopping for a tailgate physically.

That’s even better because you can drive to wrecking yards and measure the available tailgates with yours.

If It Doesn’t Fit, Can I Modify It?

If you don’t find a tailgate that fits your F250, you can always take any that you will come across. And then modify it.

Most people look for F150 tailgates that are compatible with their F250 because they don’t want to engage in modifications. Sometimes, there is usually no other choice.

If you have looked for a tailgate that will fit your car and are unlucky. You have no option but to get one and have it modified.

Some mechanics are exceptionally skilled at modifying tailgates. Whether big or small, they will add more components or trim it down to perfectly fit your F250.

Modification is beneficial, but at times, it can interfere with the aesthetics of the tailgate.

If you love the stock F150 tailgate, it may not look that great after it has been modified. Also, modification is expensive because you will have to buy a tailgate and pay for it to be redesigned.

If you hire an individual who isn’t very skilled, they can ruin your tailgate or modify it into something very problematic. You have to look for an expert mechanic experienced with modifying tailgates carefully.

Can I Get a Tailgate Replacement at My Dealer?

The best place to get a Ford tailgate replacement is at the dealer. It’s surprising why most car owners don’t visit their dealers when they run into issues.

A dealer, especially one who specializes in Ford trucks, can easily find a tailgate replacement for your F250. Let alone provide you with an F150 replacement, they can find a replica for an F250.

Your dealer is well-connected, and they have a better chance of securing parts faster than you can.

Can I Install an F150 Tailgate on the F250 Even If It Doesn’t Fit?

No, you shouldn’t. If a tailgate doesn’t fit, there is no need to risk installing the wrong tailgate. Many bad things can arise from doing that. First, the installed tailgate will be weak.

It won’t hold up for very long because it won’t be structurally fit. If you usually transport valuable cargo, there is a high chance of dropping these things on the highway.

Secondly, it will look terrible. Every time you look at the back of your truck, the protruding wires and gaps on the sides will make your vehicle look weird.

Instead of installing a tailgate that doesn’t fit, it’s better to attempt and salvage the current one no matter how bad it looks.

Do The Taillights Look the Same?

There is a high possibility that if the F150 tailgate fits the F250, the taillights will be the same. It will be a replica. The only difference is that there will be an F150 tag.

That can, however, be replaced. If the tailgate is the same, then so will the headlights. This is unless the previous owner had customized the lights according to their preferences.

Most of the time, the taillights won’t be functional, especially if you are getting the tailgate from a wrecking yard.

It would be better to get the tailgates from a seller or a dealer. This way, you are assured of finding lights in excellent working condition.

F150 vs F250

Because they share the same parts, one may think these two cars are the same except for the name difference. However, the F250 and F150 have many differences despite being from the same company and car series.

An F250 is a heavy-duty truck, whereas the F150 is a light-duty truck. The F150 is half-ton, whereas the F250 is a three-quarter-ton.

The F150 has a more efficient engine than the F250. The latter was created with a bigger engine because it’s meant to handle heavy-duty work.

Some years of the F150 and F250 may share a similar tailgate, but there are many differences.

Are Tailgates Universal?

In cars, the only things close to being universal are tires and rims. However, most parts tend to be unique in every car brand, model, and year of manufacture.

Tailgates, for example, can be interchanged between F250s and F150s. However, you can’t take a Chevy tailgate and fit it on your F250. It won’t fit unless you modify it.