Early Bronco Tailgate

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Early Bronco Tailgates: Factory Fit, Correct Details, and Year-to-Year Changes

The Early Bronco tailgate is more than a body panel—it defines the rear profile of a 1966-77 Ford Bronco and plays a critical role in fit, function, and long-term durability. Whether you’re restoring a stock truck, replacing rusted original sheet metal, or refreshing a trail-driven Bronco, choosing the correct tailgate and supporting hardware prevents alignment issues, rattles, and premature wear. With the right components, your tailgate should fit cleanly, latch securely, and follow original factory body lines.

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Replacement Early Bronco Tailgate Stamped from Original Ford Tooling

Quality matters when it comes to replacement sheet metal. Our USA-made Early Bronco tailgate is stamped from original Ford tooling, ensuring factory-correct contours, proper edge definition, and accurate mounting points. Built from heavy-gauge steel, these tailgates deliver the strength needed for real-world use while maintaining the authentic appearance expected in a proper Bronco restoration.

Because the tooling is correct, these tailgates install without the common issues found in lower-quality reproductions—misaligned hinges, uneven gaps, or latch fitment problems. The result is a tailgate that fits the body the way Ford intended, whether you’re building a show-quality restoration or a dependable daily driver.

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1966 vs. 1967-77 Bronco Tailgates: What Changed and Why It Matters

At first glance, all Early Bronco tailgates look nearly identical. The difference only becomes clear when you closely examine the upper body line:

• 1966 Bronco Tailgate - The first-year Bronco used a continuous upper body line that ran straight across the entire width of the tailgate. This smooth profile was unique to 1966 and did not accommodate a spare tire latch.

• 1967-77 Bronco Tailgate - Beginning in 1967, Ford revised the tailgate stamping with a raised center bulge that spans roughly three-quarters of the panel width. This change allowed for the addition of the swing-away spare tire carrier latch, which became an available option. This design remained unchanged through the end of Bronco production in 1977.

This subtle revision is mainly of interest to detail-focused restorers, but it does not limit fitment or functionality when using modern reproduction tailgates.

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Which Early Bronco Tailgate Should I Buy?

Modern reproduction tailgates are built to replicate the 1967-77 Bronco tailgate design. The tailgates we sell at Wild Horses are concours-correct for those model years and fully compatible with factory spare tire carriers. They also bolt directly onto 1966 Broncos with no modification required.

When installed on a 1966 model, the tailgate will have the later-style upper body line, but it maintains a clean, factory look and delivers reliable fit and function. For many owners, this is the best balance of availability, durability, and correctness.

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Completing the Installation: Hardware Matters

A properly fitting tailgate depends on more than the panel itself. Hinges, latches, strikers, silencers, bumpers, and mounting hardware all play a role in smooth operation and noise control. Worn or mismatched components can lead to rattles, poor alignment, and unnecessary stress on the tailgate skin.

Pairing a new tailgate with fresh hardware ensures consistent gaps, solid latch engagement, and long-term reliability—especially on Broncos that see regular use on the road or trail.

At Wild Horses, we highly recommend upgrading to our tailgate silencer kit, for better than stock fitment and performance. This kit includes custom tailgate hinges with rubber bushings to prevent the metal on metal rattle of stock hinges. This is coupled with new tailgate cables that replace the steel tailgate support arms to further reduce rattle and vibration.

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Built for Restorations, Drivers, and Trail Rigs Alike

The Early Bronco tailgate remains a defining element of the first generation Bronco’s rear end. Whether your goal is factory accuracy, dependable trail performance, or simply replacing worn-out original sheet metal, choosing a properly stamped tailgate and quality hardware makes all the difference.

With correct fit, durable construction, and factory-accurate details, today’s reproduction tailgates allow classic Broncos to stay functional, solid, and true to their original design.