41 pickup tailgate dilema

O

oldrelics

Well-known member
So heres my dilema: The original tailgate was manufactured with a "truss type" top rail, which means its tapered from both sides to the center of the gate. This gave it strength in the open position. I see on the reproduction gates it appears to be the same size tube all the way accross the top.

So I emailed Northern Classic Trucks and ask them about the top rail and they replied by email:
"It is designed as original as we have to be licensed by Ford Motor Company to sell them."

Can anybody confirm if the reproduction gate has the "truss type" top rail?
 
The tailgate on mine is a '40 style with the Ford script and V8. I thought the only difference between '40 and '41 was the lack of the V8 on '41. It has a straight tube top rail
 
you might need to wait a bit for enough people to log in and view your question..I've got a '35 and a '36 tailgate so they are no help to you.
 
You are correct in that the top rail is flattened to add section modulus for stiffness. Northern Classic does have a way to flatten that section in their excellent reproduction bed for 40 and 41 without the logo. I do not think the other vendor flattens that section. I had an interesting discussion with Todd about how he figured out how to do that. As a fellow tooling guy, I cannot tell his "trade secret". The beds he makes are terrific.
Just an opinion
Floyd
 
I have an original tailgate and a Northern Classic reproduction tailgate. I think I will compare them. They are both from a '40.
 
My V-8 buddy has Northeren Classic tailgate on his pickup and it's made just like the original with the tapered ends.
 
40 pickup gate
40_Pickup_Outside_025.jpg


41 pickup gate
DSC01288.jpg


40 Pickup gate
DSC00470-1.jpg


Hope this helps,
 
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