Tailgate Storage?

Anyone thought of adding some storage inside the tailgate of their Tacoma? I was thinking it would be a great area for tiedowns or pretty much anything including maybe a rifle. It seems you could cut the inside surface away, add hinge and some kind of latch and be all set. Thoughts?

 

Great idea but cutting out any structure from the tailgate would decrease it's rigidity. We share the same inner composite box from the 2nd gen. Check out the cubby holes from the 05-11 above the wheel well.

 

Interesting idea. You'd need to be sure the covers/doors are strong enough to hold weight. Wouldn't want them caving in if you step on the tailgate.

 

It's not a big open area in there. Lots of structures to provide rigidity. Maybe enough space to store a bungee cord or two... It's like the inside of your door. No space in there either.

 

Didnt' think about that, you probably would need to fabricate some sort of frame around any opening. I still think you could drop in a few smaller doors though, especially on the outside edges without much issue.

 

Adding storage means adding weight...
The tailgate damper won't work as well as it does if more than the factory finished weight.

 

True, not a lot of usable space. This post has some pictures of the tailgate without the inner panel:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/power-tailgate-lock.393110/page-2#post-10920761

 

Looks like you could get a couple decent cubbys on the two ends, but definitely not the single large one I had in mind. Great find, thanks!

 

No problem. The end cubbies look like they could be good for storage. You'll just need to make sure the two rods that unlatch the tailgate can move freely.

I'm anxious to see what you come up with. Maybe the tailgate could be made into a camp kitchen, with burners in the two cubbies at the ends, and meal prep area in the middle, haha.

 

New Landcruiser have them. I'll try to get pictures my dad has one

 

Here

 

There really isn't much room in there and whatever you would carry would probably rattle around too.