Tailgate Fix (Maybe)

I took some time today to try and fix my warped tailgate. It has a signifigant bow at the top just to the right of the tailgate handle. After taking the cap off the tailgate i noticed that the metal had a tear in it right where the bend was. I took a piece of wood and some clamps to it and got it pretty straight. I bent the metal supports back in and used liquid nails to secure them since all the factory gunk had come loose. It looks a lot better but i just know the first time someone drops my tailgate to sit on it it will go back. Since the metal is torn there is no strength there anymore. So i was thinking and this is what i have come up with. To take a piece of metal that is the same width as the top of the tailgate and pop-riveting it in place. This should add some ridgidity back to the top. Then i would have to use some double sided tape to put the cap back on since this would cover up the mounting holes. Then I came up with this crazy idea. What if you filled the entire tailgate with some of that expanding foam, then trimmed off whatever foamed out. Do you think this would provide some strength or just be a waste of time? I know that there are different kinds of this stuff as well. I want to know which would expand but not to the point it would bow stuff out.
http://greatstuff.dow.com/products/bgf.htm

 

71 views and not a single response. That has to be a record.

 

Okay, if you fill it with foam, I don't think it would be any stronger. Foam has it's limits. Your tailgate would float, if that's any help.

 

Metal is your friend.

 

Check out thread 24.

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/technical-chat/4838-cheap-free-mods-2.html

 

I am aircraft structures engineer and my tailgate bent no too long ago.

All that is required to strengthen these tailgates is a more rigid member spanning the width of the tailgate and tying into where the droop cables connect.

i will take pictures as i do mine shortly.

 

There is a TSB for bent tailgates...

 

yea and at 63000km I was denied. Toyota wanted me to pay a little more than half. I said no thanks. my tailgate is 3000km to far "worn" to be replaced at their cost. SOOOOO glad I bought a toyota. NOT. (this is not my only issue by far and I have struggled along the whole way due to my age I believe)

 

I'm looking forward to see what you come up with. Please post soon!

 

Good idea with the clamps, I will try that on mine.

 

way to reply to a 5 year old thread....lmao.