As noted, my 2006 has no tailgate nor hardware. I am going to a junkyard a few hours away to buy the tailgate for a 2006. I'd rather not take all my sockets, screwdrivers, and star drives, anyone off hand know the sizes or tools to remove the bed hardware for the tailgate? Bolt holding strap, bed latch, bumper piece. Anything else? If I could get the list reduced to screwdrivers and star drives that would help, thanks.

 

To get the tailgate off the donor truck you will need nothing but your finger nail.

My 2002 you would just need a T40 and a T45 a decent length 3/8" ratchet and a " 6 inch 3/8 wobble drive extension.

I say a wobble drive extension only because the lower T-45 Torx bolts are fairly close to the floor of the bed and it may be hard to get your ratchet to line up straight with a standard extension depending on how large of a head your ratchet has.

I would bring a can of penetrating oil so you can soak the Torx bolts down

With a #2 Phillips screw driver you could remove the tail lights to get to the back side of the Torx bolts to soak them down.

Again my truck is a 2002 and I do not know if any of this changed for your 2006.

 

Thanks that is exactly what I needed, new hardware in hand. Luckily the junkyard truck already had the tailights off saving time, and this is AZ so bolts came right off, no rust. i think the 2001 to 2010 model year Ranger and mazda are identical.

 

I am glad you got the hardware you needed hassle free.

I enjoy living in Florida yet I am envious of you because of your location.

I sure wish I could handle the trip to go to AZ to pick up a Old Pontiac.

AZ sure has many old vehicles available that no longer exist anywhere else or the ones that are still around are only held together with Bondo and bailing wire.

 

For the most, yes, rust free or at least just surface rust. However, there is a class of folks who think setting the car beside the house for 30-50 years uncovered and letting grass grow up under it is OK because they are in AZ. Those cars usually have no floorboards or frames left due to rust from the wet grass.

Thanks again, tailgate on no issues:)