2016 tailgate problem

66143-04020 is not in production, it was superseded by the one you have in the pic there.

 

Is that the LH side you need?

 

Its the passenger side, there is no bushing on the drivers side.

 

Thanks for the info. I remember your thread on it!

We're supposed to get a laser sintering printer at work soon. I may order a spare bushing for measurements to model in CATIA and see if I can have one printed with some sort of metal insert to strengthen it.

 

I understand that the specific part that is broken doesn't have a part #. It seems as if the dealership turned him away since they don't have a part number. When in reality, they should have ordered the whole assembly.

If they cared about the customer, they'd get the right part ordered. They should have started with order 66012F or like you said, find another one on the lot and confirm it comes with it. If all else fails, take care of the customer and order a new tailgate.

Im not the customer who'd demand a new tailgate because a tiny plastic piece is broke. But if there TRUELY is no part # or its not part of one, you have to fix the problem. Start small. Work your way up until its fixed.

 

Oh noooooooooo!!!!

 

Replacing the tailgate is not going to fix the issue. You need to replace the hinge assembly on the the truck itself. Read my thread for more specifics.

 

that sounds like a good plan, however I thought about making a metal one too, but there had to be a reason why they didn't come like that from the factory. My only guess is the metal could cause noise or something. But if you have a way of making a metal one that would be pretty sweet.

 

Or it could be $.02 cheaper per unit, so they went with all plastic.

 

Plastic being untechnical, of course.. it could be made of a material not ideally suited for longevity in that task.

I'd be curious to see if there are any material markings on the OEM piece.

 

Tacitos,
I was thinking sintered metal impregnated in the plastic bushing to reinforce it. Not sure if that is possible just yet, if not, I may figure it out by printing the metal piece first along with a sprue to act as a base.
I might be able to print or mold with some structurally strong plastic using a negative mold printed from the data model. I'll have to talk to the lab guy and even one of our engineers to see what's the best route to see what's possible first with the RP equipment we have. Making the 3D is the easy part. I'm not in a hurry to do, but a backburner project, unless mine busts first! LOL. This is funny, I work for a competing auto manufacturer and thinking about retrofitting a Toyota part.

 

I was in the parking lot with two nice sales guys trying to put that piece on and it didn't fit with the force I applied. Took it back and the service guy said you have to leave the truck so I walked out. I still remember the old piece it was defeniately different thinner in design causing it to break easier but allowing it to install with ease.

 

Tacito's thread clearly states the incompatibility between some differences in built dates. You are probably encountering the same at the dealer.

 

Yeah tacito sounds just like the service guy that was trying to tell me it fits. Shouldn't take brute force to put the tailgate back on.

 

It takes a small amount of force and the correct angle to install. I know what your going through.

 

If your in L.A. I wouldn't mind meeting up with you, I can bring the STL file I have and we can experiment with it.

 

Yeah this sucks big time. Thanks man.

 

No problem, if you need the replacement I offer, here is the link.

https://www.shapeways.com/product/CKKSK9SWQ/2016-toyota-tacoma-tailgate-bushing-66143-04020

 

Can you 3D print me a spare truck?

 

Just ordered overnight check your email