DIY Tailgate Inner Panel Cover

Yup! Just sent him an email. I kinda suspect that this is what he does on the side; like a nights/weekend operation.

 

Right on. Hope it works out for you. When I met him, he didn't seem sketchy all at. Might just be a mix up. Best of luck!

 

That's kinda what I figured. I'm not mad or anything. Just antsy to install the new flat plate and ditch the corrugated piece

 

Alright, update time! I finally received my panel. UPS took their sweet time and the thing arrived battered and bruised. One corner pretty badly damaged.

At first, 2 of the holes didn't quite line up. Likely because it wasn't sitting flat AND the thing may have stretched due to heat.

It was also missing 1 hole that my tailgate had. Not a huge issue, eye-balled the center and drilled a hole.

 

In the end, I was able to finagle the piece into place and get all the bolts back in. Pretty pleased with how it turned out.

 

From what I noticed when I went to install mine, the holes matched up to a third gen.

I'm curious to see how well your white panel deflects the summer sun. My warps pretty bad, I had to put 5-6 rivet's to hold in down lol.

 

I think you're right about the holes being for a 3rd gen. Because they're were 2 holes that I didn't use, but then I had to add that 1 hole.

And I actually got a gray panel. But we'll see how it holds up in the Midwest heat

 

Subd for a future project!

 

I have wanted a mountain hatch for a while, but even with their current 20% off sale, it comes out to $225 after you add on shipping. Looking at the Hooke Road version, it is $150 on Amazon with free shipping.

EDIT: I see I can buy the Hooke on eBay for $137 with free shipping.

This is going on a 3rd Gen. For people that bought the Hooke, any issues? How is it holding up?

 

@BattleKat
Not answering your question but…Check out Gar-Fab
after exchange rate from Canada with shipping it was easily competitive to other prices and brands.
I liked it because it didn’t have a giant company logo on it and I’m assuming it’s supporting independent small shop.

https://gar-fab.ca/products/tailgate-panel-tacoma

 

Thanks. This is minor but I really want the indents for drink holder, other items I might place on it when not level (my driveway is on a slant even).

 

I use a standing mat. Throw it in the back of the truck, pull it onto the tailgate for climbing in and out. It is the bomb if what your trying to avoid is knee/shin pain crawling in and out of truck bed. Throw it on the ground if you need it there... you get the idea.

 

Amazon reviews indicate a number of people are experiencing warping issues on the Hooke Road version if the tailgate is left down in direct sunlight. That is deal breaker for me.

Is warping an issue with the Mountain Hatch?

 

Made my own today, not bad for an hours worth of work, used 3/8 HDPE

 

Here an up

i finally made my own from 1/8" aluminum.

added washers too, but no picture

 

unforunately 1/8" sheet of aluminum isnt that cheap anymore. Just specced out the sheet using https://www.midweststeelsupply.com/store/6061aluminumsheet and it comes out to ~$400. at this rate it is cheaper to buy one premade. I checked other websites too for 1/8" aluminum sheet and it is not much cheaper than the existing premade offerings out there.

 

That's crazy. I wonder if you can do it in 5052 sheet. For what we're doing with it, there shouldn't be much difference in strength

 

did you check here:

https://www.cut2sizemetals.com/alum...9bwefVLS-dBaoT6llwPRT1KWsTOgo7nRoCdW4QAvD_BwE

 

i was even considering 3003 considering the tensile strength of 3003 is nowhere close to what the load on the tailgate panel will ever see. cheapest i could find for a blank panel of size was $140 and that doesnt include the ~$50 of shipping. crazy crazy.

 

17x58?
what other options are out there for $190 shipped?