I have a 86 245 wagon and would like to change the tailgate to a tailgate from a 93 or later wagon. Appearently the newer ones are made from aluminum and have a flush window, solving the rust problem on earlier wagons.
Will the new ones fit on the 86?

I don't know where or why the aluminum thing started. The 700/900 wagon gates are aluminum, but not the 200.

However, they are somewhat more rust resistant than the earlier varieties. The gate will fit, if that's what you're asking.
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Chris Herbst, in Wisconsin.

Not made of aluminum. The rear hatch on my mothers 1990 wagon is steel. The rear hatch on the 7 and 9 series are aluminum. Try a magnet on yours, that'll tell you right away. Just make sure you don't try the magnet on a outer finished surface.

Dave 82 242ti 279k mi.

Interesting -- I also have a newer tailgate to fit onto my rusty '86. The only significant change is routing the hose for the spray nozzle.

The '86 nozzle is to the right of the door, whereas the later tailgate has the nozzel on the door. This requires a new hole for the hose, with grommet, up near the hinge.

Didn't know the new 240 doors were aluminum. My new door feels as heavy as the old one, though I think it's from a '90 or '91.

Does an aluminum door use different shocks (because it's lighter)?
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Don Foster (near Cape Cod, MA)

Yes,,a 93 will fit your 86..I hope to do that to mine too. Didn't know about the aluminum.
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john,,1985, 245:GLTi 246k mi..so.california

thanks for all your replies. The aluminum issue was not so much important. It was mentioned to me from another link. I was more interested in the flush appearance and what looked like a larger window. On the "older" window the glass is recessed and all my wagons had rust forming on the flat part. The newer ones have the glass flush with the panel.
Your infos were very much appreciated