Many features have come and gone in 100 years of Ford tailgates.
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:
The Ford Model A station wagon tailgate features the same basic configuration we see today.
1929 Ford Model A station wagon rear quarter
Ford 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.
In the 1980s, a removable tailgate option showed up on the F-Series.
1985 F-150 removable tailgate
Ford Motor Co.
The same removable tailgate was also available on the smaller Ranger pickup truck.
1985 Ford Ranger removable tailgate
Ford Motor Co.
By 2006, Ford had added an extendable step on the tailgate for the F-150 King Ranch.
2006 F-150 King Ranch step
Jim Fets
In 2007, Ford debuted a new truck concept with a tailgate that lowers to be used as a step.
Ford 2007 Powerforce pickup concept
Ford Motor Co.
The F-Series Super Duty was equipped with a bed extender in the 2008 model year.
Ford 2008 F-Series Super Duty bed extender
Ford 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.
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.