Can anybody help ID this tailgate? It came from an estate sale and it is NOS. Part number on it says 1097926. It looks like it is old Navy surplus. Thought the 72-83 gates had the no lettering but the tag is dated 4-70. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

I doubt the replacement tailgates would have had the lettering. I also suspect that if its military, there wouldn't be any lettering. Most military stuff doesn't have company names on the vehicles. Gene

As I recall the M880s were 76-78s. It is the same as a 76.

Reproductions are available now that look just like that. The much more desirable tailgates are those WITH lettering. Do you have something to use it on or did you just pick it up to re-sell it?

- EM

Honestly got to resell, it was pretty cheap. It looks either Navy or Air Force.

The repops have gotten pretty mixed reviews too, from one eBay seller:

"OK part typical aftermarket needed straightening careful edges are sharp de-bur"

So is this 72 and up then? Or is it the earlier one just without the brand?

Someone will want it for sure, Dodge script or not.

That part number seems to be good right up to the end of the step sides.
I wouldn't necesserily think no Dodge stamping means it's newer, it seems like some of the different odd ball trim packages over the years just had decals there and you'd think that maybe the plain tail gate could also be gotten back in the truck and van craze days for people who were doing something custom.

This tailgate should from '54 to '85 tall side/wide width utiline beds. The script was a mater of model in the early years some had it some did not. From 72 on they should have all been non-script. It is worth at least reproduction part cost I would think you should be get quit a bit more for it. I sold an NOS about a year ago for 550.00 if that helps you gauge things.

I remember receiving that feedback and I have to say I am still a little dumbfounded by it. I have installed 3 of the repops myself and had zero issues and I have sold over 200 and this was the first nuetral/non positive feedback I received. Trust me the repop tailgates are made in the USA and are not you typical aftermarket china steel repop items. Heck even the packaging they use is a little over the top. I personally would not pay extra for a NOS one and would bet money after installation no one could tell the difference.

A few items down in feedback our feedback is what we typically see on the items made from this manufacturer "High quality reproduction LRE body panel! Sixteen Stars!"

old stock high side that's a great find, wish I had come across one myself had to use repro, You have a sort of gold on your hands IMO.