Posted by Eric B. [162.158.214.61] on Saturday, May 20, 2017 at 22:43:24 :
In Reply to: Re: 1954 PW tailgate is the same as.... posted by Clint Dixon [108.162.216.103] on Saturday, May 20, 2017 at 16:59:10 :
I've been told they bolt up despite the brackets being a little off. I'm not sure what would be needed to make one work on a later bed, but I have been told it can be done fairly easily.
In general I wouldn't recommend anything but the correct tailgate for the best fit.
I left out the low bed tailgate used on 1939-47 2wds, 1940-42 4wds (no Dodge stamp), and 1950-1955ish 2wds.
As for the different bed styles, are you taking about:
Early first series with extra rail in front of the spare tire
Later first series without extra piece of rail
1st second series with bed wood all the way to the tailgate and no little raised spots on the sides where the square fender mounts.
2nd second series with the bed wood going up to the rear valance and the little extra raised piece on the sides where the square rear fender would mount.
(There are actually at least three rear valance styles in the second series which would make for three styles total.)
Then the third series has the version without backup lights and with backup lights.
There are also a number of tail light bucket and bracket changes.
Eric