Spare tire delete - best options?

[BCT1212]

I’ve had a thought of eliminating the spare tire from the tailgate. I’m sure some of you have already done that. So my questions are: who has the best solution for this ? Are you pleased with the new look? Any other regrets or concerns? Thank you in advance for your feedback.

There is no good option unfortunately. They all look terrible. I just wanted a blank tailgate without all the unnecessary holes and cut outs Ford felt they had to add to ruin the gate.
im willing to pay good money for a full replacement tailgate, no holes FORD stamped into it like the 1st gen if anyone will do it.

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[Valhalla]

There is no good option unfortunately. They all look terrible. I just wanted a blank tailgate without all the unnecessary holes and cut outs Ford felt they had to add to ruin the gate.
im willing to pay good money for a full replacement tailgate, no holes FORD stamped into it like the 1st gen if anyone will do it.

Sone of that is required by law now. I'd say get a first skin and have a shop custom fab and paint that to your gate... might as well make it a tailgate while at it.

 

[BCT1212]

Sone of that is required by law now. I'd say get a first skin and have a shop custom fab and paint that to your gate... might as well make it a tailgate while at it.

How are holes drilled and cut into the swing gate a law anywhere?

 

[Valhalla]

How are holes drilled and cut into the swing gate a law anywhere?

Camera and 3rd brake light.

 

[BCT1212]

Camera and 3rd brake light.

Neither are a law anywhere I know of. Maybe CA lol. A camera certainly not. Third light can move into the tailgate if it’s a law somewhere. Or on a bumper mount swing arm.

 

[Valhalla]

Neither are a law anywhere I know of. Maybe CA lol. A camera certainly not. Third light can move into the tailgate if it’s a law somewhere. Or on a bumper mount swing arm.

The 3rd brake light was mandatory for all new US vehicles as of 1986. The back up camera became mandatory in the US as of May in 2018.

 

[BCT1212]

The 3rd brake light was mandatory for all new US vehicles as of 1986. The back up camera became mandatory in the US as of May in 2018.

Good ole chat I see. Well as I mentioned it can be incorporated in the tailgate too. Still don’t need all those holes and cut outs as I’m seeking. Thanks for the law lessons but I don’t see getting pulled over in GA for no third taillight ever.

 

[Valhalla]

Good ole chat I see. Well as I mentioned it can be incorporated in the tailgate too. Still don’t need all those holes and cut outs as I’m seeking. Thanks for the law lessons but I don’t see getting pulled over in GA for no third taillight ever.

Correct but the manufacture is required to put it there by law. So that is why the holes... it doesn't matter for the holes whether GA enforces that you have a functioning brake light on anything newer than 1986.

 

[23OBX2.7]

How are holes drilled and cut into the swing gate a law anywhere?

Tailgate is cabin air pressure evac route that's normally in C pillar external port or evac via qtr panels somewhere on standard vehicles

Not to hard to strip gate exterior, make a form that bonds over the entire gate with side or bottom edge vents maybe 1/4 deep ....but the rear air pressure at speed may disrupt function whereas the tire may be blocking some pressure as witnessed by extreme hart top buffeting when front roof panels only are removed.

Best just to plug the whole gate holes with welds or glass, embed the tail light, and roll rear windows down a crack....rear tire just adds extra $1K to any decent wheel upgrade.

 

[Zarasa]

This happened yesterday in nearby SF and it made me think about the discussion above regarding deleting the tire carrier.

https://sfstandard.com/2025/12/15/d...newsletter_axioslocal_sanfrancisco&stream=top

While I have a pretty strong libertarian streak in my world view these days, some things are just common sense…like putting a $5 backup camera in a 6000 pound machine where you can’t see what or who is directly behind you. It won’t stop an idiot from being an idiot, but it’s additional data for the driver that can help prevent fatal accidents.

 

[Valhalla]

This happened yesterday in nearby SF and it made me think about the discussion above regarding deleting the tire carrier.

https://sfstandard.com/2025/12/15/d...newsletter_axioslocal_sanfrancisco&stream=top

While I have a pretty strong libertarian streak in my world view these days, some things are just common sense…like putting a $5 backup camera in a 6000 pound machine where you can’t see what or who is directly behind you. It won’t stop an idiot from being an idiot, but it’s additional data for the driver that can help prevent fatal accidents.

Uh OooH!

 

[DALOLA]

This happened yesterday in nearby SF and it made me think about the discussion above regarding deleting the tire carrier.

https://sfstandard.com/2025/12/15/d...newsletter_axioslocal_sanfrancisco&stream=top

While I have a pretty strong libertarian streak in my world view these days, some things are just common sense…like putting a $5 backup camera in a 6000 pound machine where you can’t see what or who is directly behind you. It won’t stop an idiot from being an idiot, but it’s additional data for the driver that can help prevent fatal accidents.

What does this have to do with a spare tire delete? The BUC is still retained.

 

[Valhalla]

What does this have to do with a spare tire delete? The BUC is still retained.

I guess he decided the BUC stops here!!! I crack me up!

 

[Zarasa]

@DALOLA a few posts back there is discussion of deleting the BUC camera because it’s not required in Georgia or something like that.

 

[the poacher]

Installed the DV8 option. I love the look and makes hooking up the camper a breeze! Cheers!

Hey Bronco-Billy,
where did you find the small black plugs that replaced the big rubber grommets. The two just to the side of both lower corners of the delete. I have been looking for them, but have not been able to find the right size.

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