Tailgate gap normal?

Just placed a shell on my bed and then noticed in my rear view mirror light shining through on either side of the tailgate, went and looked and sure enough when the tailgate is closed you can peer through into the bed. Is this normal?

I plan to build a frame for the back and would like to keep out moisture and cold air, has anyone added weather striping or something similar?

Thanks.

 

Get these as it is a common problem.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/bedside-reinforcements-tie-downs-in-stock.476123/

 

Used the tailgate seal that came with my truxedo tonneau cover, works perfect. They sell the seal separate also.

 

mine has a big gap

I used the same stuff you stick between the topper and bed rails. It helps, but there's still some gap.

 

I think I will give this a go: http://www.autoanything.com/hitch-bed-accessories/69A3562A0A0.aspx

I'll have to work on my shell seal anyhow as there is still a gap between the head rail and the bottom of the shell even after doing 3 layers of foam tape. I ordered in a header rail as well since the truck was missing it when purchased and there is a gap in the cover where the rail would go.

Just noticed there are also two bolts missing from the bed where I can look through and see the ground below so I'll have to find some screws to put in there as well haha

 

Mine has an equal size gap on both sides. maybe 3/8th's of an inch or so. it bugs the heck out of me but after some research it is common for the 2nd gen trucks. maybe bed reinforcements would help with the added weight of the cap.

 

This ^^
I installed these before I put my shell on and it is keeping the bedsides square and straight with the tailgate

 

Noticed that too, it's normal. Used a tailgate gasket kit to fill the gap. There are a couple of threads/posts about it.

 

So the other day I went to have my shell professionally sealed and a third brake light installed, I asked them to do the tailgate while they were doing the shell and they stated that they could not do tailgates on Toyotas cuz it causes the tailgate handle to break as it puts too much pressure on the latch has anybody experienced this problem?

 

i laid weatherstripping on the bed sides to seal up the gap. Really helped.

 

Plenty of people have added DIY tailgate gasket kits. I honestly wouldn't take my stuff back to the shop that told you that. Sound like a bunch of boneheads rather than "professionals". If they had problems with the handles breaking (which I have never heard of) then whatever weatherstrip they are using is too damn thick.

EDIT: I'd probably check the wiring they did on the 3rd brakelight given the response they gave you to not being able to do the weatherstrip at the tailgate. Probably twisted the wires together and added electric tape and called it done.