Reminder...Do a Careful Walk Around on Your New Truck

First off, I love my truck! This isn't a huge deal....more just a bummer. My truck is about 2 months old. About a month ago I noticed the right side of the rear bumper was bent down a bit. At first I was like, "Shit, already?" But on further inspection I couldn't find any damage to indicate I had been smacked. I then looked back at a picture I had taken right after I got my shell on (about 3 weeks after purchase) and you could clearly see the bumper problem. I only took one picture from the day I bought it, and the angle is bad but to me it looks like it was that way when I bought it. I took it to a dealer (not the one I bought it from since they are 500 miles away) to plead my case but the manager didn't seem too interested in helping me. Understandable, since the only proof I have that it didn't happen post purchase is that day of delivery pic. Anyway, I called to open a case with Toyota, and I certainly hope they do the right thing, but this is a tough one to prove. I blame myself.... I was in a hurry and it was pouring rain when I did my walk around and I just didn't see it. Anyway, my recommendation is to do a very careful walk around and take lots of good quality pictures when you take delivery! Save yourself some hassle down the road...

 

You can align that your self too, just a few bumper bolts to loosen up, push the bumper up on that side and tighten it down.

 

So tons and tons of members have had beds and bumpers out of alignment. I can see a difference in your pics but I can’t tell if it’s damage or just out of alignment. Most alignment issues just have a dealer line everything back up and it’s all good. Let us know how it all gets fixed!

 

Caution...If you're super anal about fitment, do not walk to the front look at your hood.

Also, good use of blackout technology. We'll never know who you are or what you look like.

 

I already backtraced his post, I know what he looks like.

 

Lol! Except for the clear reflection of myself in the tailgate pic. The man in black... you'll never see me coming

 

If you want to feel better about any alignment issues, just walk around a brand new F-150 and you'll see how good Toyota did with the Tacoma.

 

Nice VW and dog. Lol!

 

To the OP: ...and after you do a thorough "up close and personal" detail, you will probably find more areas of "concern". Might want to check for other body panels slightly out of alignment. Hood to fender (especially prevalent on Sports and Pros...frequently the passenger side of the hood is not flush with the fender ). Front "bumper" to fender (sometimes there is a gap.) Cowl to fender not aligned "perfectly". Then too the paint. A few dust nibs will likely show up as well as orange peel in some panels. Needless to say our Gen3 Tacomas aren't any better quality as far as fit and finish than any other truck. Best thing to do is to apply the "five foot" rule. If you can't notice a defect at five feet, life is good.

 

You are 100 percent right...I don't go too crazy over these things. It's a f**king truck! But this one bugs me...once I saw it I cant unsee it. And it bugs me more that I bought it like that... that's all. I'll probably end up fixing it and then bend it back down by backing into a rock or tree a week later.

 

Yep.....

 

Tons of misalignments on 3rd gen rear bumpers. Mine looks similar to yours. But I don't really care that much. You have to really look to notice anything.

 

Someone heavy must have stepped on that side.
You would not believe how flimsy the bumper bracket is. It can easily be fixed . Just pop off the rubber step and you'll see. Most vulnerable are the corners. Just be careful popping off the bumper cap . They're not made to be jumped on or used as a load helper like the old chrome bumpers. It's mostly cosmetics .

 

Black Mirror

 

One option might be to go ahead and let the purchasing dealer know your issue. Hopefully they could notate it for your future visit. That is if you ever think you'll be in the area again. If you want it fixed now, you could go the DIY route. My bed is not aligned and that will be a DIY Saturday down the road for me. Purchasing dealer for me is 7 hour round trip not including service time. Best of luck to you.

 

I would just jack up one side a bit until it's straight.

 

I look forward to your "HELP, BROKE MY BUMPER BRACKET!" Thread.

 

Those are reinforced plastics too , kinda j-shaped for bumper cap. Only REAL bracket (steel) is the horizontal attached to bumper frame, about 6- 7 inches from corner other than that , center.

 

Nah, a little 1\2" move is just gonna move it back where it's supposed to be. Not like it's gonna snap or anything.

 

After reading your thread I looked at mine and my driver side is lower then the passenger side