Mountain Hatch thread...

There is no hardware included.

 

The trifecta--expensive, poor fit and crappy customer service.

 

Just curious if you looked at their site at all? Right on checkout, they have a local pickup option. The reason you guys can't get personalized responses to everything from vendors is because they're busy having to answer questions like this that the info is already available with just a little work on your part.

 

Ahhh so you have to provide your own hardware. Which I guess is the factory hardware. Which doesnt always seem to work. Haha that's strike 3 or 4?

 

Thanks for the photo! I agree... I don't care for the huge brand logo and the huge "made in usa" stamp on the Mnt Hatch. I want it clean and simple.

 

I did, and I even added it to my cart and went through the checkout procedure. This was weeks ago. And there was not a option for local pickup, I checked all over their website and couldn’t even find their address and had to ask here if anyone had it. Well, now it’s on the website, and I know it wasn’t before so I wonder if they did an update because their shopping cart even looks different now. Either way, I’m glad that is an option.

 

I doubt it’s different from one to another- it’s all done with the same specs. I think it might not bother some over others or don’t want to admit it could be better.

ive said this before… the holes on the bottom row don’t line up as it lays flat. You are told to start on the corners and angle the screw to the hole (it does work but I don’t think it’s ideal or proper). Then the recesses for the bottom row screws aren’t deep enough to properly engage/thread into the plastic clip nut (it does thread but I can only imagine the first or second threads actually catching) which means the factory hardware maybe too small- now I’ve taken the tailgate panel off many times prior to getting this version hatch so my plastic nuts very well could be worn out so I have some new ones that I’ll replace and see if it grabs better on new nuts. If not then I’ll resort to new/longer screws but ideally I’d like the same exact except longer which maybe hard. The explanation for the shallow screw recesses is to prevent cracking of the panel but I feel as if only 3-5mm wouldn’t compromise strength and be just enough to engage the threads decently.

those are the only 2 things I have noted and I’ve had it for awhile now (also had another companies plastic panel).

fitting, bowing, modifying and hardware for your listed negatives are explained in my 2 noted issues. It does fit but the bottom row doesn’t perfectly line up which explains the Bowing because the screws are more at an angle and the fact the recesses are shallow making them possibly pop out thus the bowing. Don’t have to modify the panel just longer screws which if the threads engage better and not pop out then you won’t have the bowing issues.

 

couple things on this, when I installed my mountain hatch panel, the holes all lined up perfectly, so not sure what you’re talking about them being off. Secondly, I used an impact putting my screws back in and they all engaged enough to trigger the impact. I think the issue really is, as you said, you’ve worn the plastic nuts by previously removing your panel over and over.

I have zero warping with my mountain hatch, it fit perfect, and the screws engaged more than enough. I am 100% satisfied with my panel.

 

That is interesting with the holes perfectly lining up…
Pictures in order starting bottom right

^It does gradually get worse as you can see.

these next 2 are the middle edges, right then left

then the angle of the screws because of the way it lined up (They did all lay flat I believe when tightened).

This is the response when I inquired…


And to be far, I think when these pictures were taken I had tightened all the top screws and then when I loosened them to do the bottoms (as the email suggested) it maybe wasn’t as bad. I didn’t use an impact because I was worried about stripping and since the install, 1 of the screws did pop so the threads aren’t engaged. I agree, not many people would be taking that panel off/on as many times as I have so I’m sure the nuts are worn and could be at least part of my issue (I know I stripped some on the top from the old panel from tightening it down to much). I really need to swap them over and test it out (will update when I do).

 

I’d still buy it again because a diy maybe cheaper but won’t be as clean (at least for me) and I wasn’t interested in a metal option. Plus I bought on a “discounted/sale” price (I wouldn’t at full retail)

 

Yeah, if mine were off that much, I would be pretty pissed. Mine were all perfectly lined up, I started all bolts by hand and then snugged them all down with the impact. As mentioned I've had no warping, none have popped (it was almost 100* today and yesterday and it was outside for the hottest parts of the days just parked). I'm interested to hear if replacing your plastic inserts helps. Mine is a 2020, but I can't imagine the tailgate being at all different between your 2018 and my 2020.

 

Out of curiosity, I just went and measured how thick the two panels were. Where the bolts go through, the mountain hatch is 4.5mm thick, the factory panel is 3.7mm thick. So well under 1mm (.75-.8mm) in thickness difference.

 

Nah, tailgates are the same (I mean there’s always possible slight variations but can’t be too much I’d imagine). And based on the emailed response saying all are milled exactly the same (minus I requested no cup holders), I also assumed everyone’s lined up the same

 

I imagine installs are a bit different depending on the temperature/humidity of where you’re located. Maybe the ones that didn’t quite line up right were in colder areas than those that fit perfect. Who knows?

 

Nah, I’m in Fl so cold wasn’t a factor

 

I went this route, been happy with it.
https://www.relentlessfabrication.c.../products/2016-tacoma-tail-gate-reinforcement

 

Placed my order May 5 have tried emailing them and FB msg to them and no reply. I’ll give them another week then I’m going to cancel the order on PayPal and go down that road.

 

Echoing a lot of other comments on here....

Ordered from them a few weeks ago. They sent the wrong product. Only avenue to address this is their shitty website with no email or phone number. Made a total of 3 separate posts on their "contact us" section referencing my order. Not a single reply. I wanted to support a smaller startup company but now have a 4 ft cutting board in my closet. I like the concept but could not recommend this company to anyone as it is already overpriced and when you add in absolutely nonexistent customer service...it makes me have to create an account here to share my experience. Next stop. Better Bussiness Bureau.

 

Finally saw mine shipped a month later. I get it if they get swamped and get delayed but to not reply or say anything after multiple times of reaching out definitely a buyer be ware

 

Super happy with mine... My dad did actually pick it up from them in Cali and brought it back home, all the bolts matched up perfect and we love it