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Ford's latest take on the pickup truck tailgate is hitting dealer lots on the 2024 Ford F-150.
The refreshed F-150 can be equipped with the new Pro Access Tailgate, which has several new configurations. In addition to dropping open like a typical truck tailgate, the Pro Access Tailgate can swing out like a door to provide easier access to the bed.
It's also the latest in a long line of tailgate innovation for Ford, which stretches back almost a century to the company's first pickup truck in 1925.
Take a look at the evolution of the Ford tailgate here:
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The Ford Model A station wagon tailgate features the same basic configuration we see today.
1929 Ford Model A station wagon rear quarterFord Motor Co.
In 1964, Ford introduced steel tailgate support straps that fold into the tailgate out of sight.
1964 Ford pickup truck advertisement.Ford Motor Co.
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In the 1980s, a removable tailgate option showed up on the F-Series.
1985 F-150 removable tailgateFord Motor Co.
The same removable tailgate was also available on the smaller Ranger pickup truck.
1985 Ford Ranger removable tailgateFord Motor Co.
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By 2006, Ford had added an extendable step on the tailgate for the F-150 King Ranch.
2006 F-150 King Ranch stepJim Fets
In 2007, Ford debuted a new truck concept with a tailgate that lowers to be used as a step.
Ford 2007 Powerforce pickup conceptFord Motor Co.
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The F-Series Super Duty was equipped with a bed extender in the 2008 model year.
Ford 2008 F-Series Super Duty bed extenderFord Motor Co.
For the 2021 model year, Ford introduced a new tailgate work surface with a built-in measuring stick. That model year, Ford also equipped all F-150 tailgates with tie-down hooks that doubled as bottle openers.
The 2021 Ford F-150 tailgate.Ford Motor Co.
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The 2024 Pro Access Tailgate swings open like a door to allow for easy access to the bed.
Ford's new Pro Access Tailgate found on the 2024 F-150 takes aim at fancy tailgates from GM and Ram. Ford