Weak tailgate reinforcement solution

OP updated, see below.

This replaces the entire factory inside and top plastic covers with tough 1/8" aluminum. I regularly load 400-600lb brush mowers, atvs and sections of logs, etc. into my truck and this has yet to fail me!



Hope this helps those of you that are concerned with the strength(or lack thereof) of the factory tailgate and want to do something about it before bending this costly item!



THIS ITEM CAN BE PURCHASED ON MY WEBSITE
https://www.relentlessfabrication.com/collections/toyota/products/05-tacoma-tail-gate-reinforcement

 

Thats a damn good idea thanks. I already bent one its like 1000-1200 from the dealer.

 

Now if you only lived close I would have you make me one.........
NICE GOING

 

Looks good!

 

whats the total cost of that?

 

Probably about $60 of metal + the labor, maybe an hour of cutting, bending, and drilling/installing.

 

You should make them for fellow TW members and ship them. I bet you could make some decent money, there is a high demand for a stronger tailgate. I would certainly consider purchasing one.

 

Nice. Would be perfect Line X'd.

 

I may be able to do that in the future...... stay posted.

 

So I was thinking of just using 16 gauge steel (or something equivelent) and just replacing the lower portion (not the top rail). Do you think the top gives you any extra support???

 

The top probably adds like 95% of the strength due to the bends in the sheet. A flat sheet of metal will bend easily, but throw a bend across and it makes it rigid. Those are totally necessary to give it any additional strength over the factory cover.

 

that's what I was afraid of...
looks like that's what i'll be doing, Thx for the diagrams!

 

No problem, but if you're just going to use steel, you might note that that 'jogged bend' near the top of the gate is only about a 1/4 x 1/4 drop, the 3/8 was for a little extra clearance since thicker metal cant quite bend like that too easily, though your steel probably can.

 

I could definitely use one of these.. Thanks for posting the drawing, I'm gonna look into having one made up..

..but If you end up getting these made I'd take one undrilled, to save labor on your end. I recently got a 2nd gen and I'll have 300 lbs+ on the gate fairly regularly.

Also, I realize the around-the-top bend is adding a little more rigidity, but would having just 1/2" or so of material there instead of 2.25" compromise much of it's integrity? I'd rather have something a bit more low-profile..

I had the infamous 3 dimples on my 1st gen taco early on.. The dimples were always annoying but now seems quite a bit easier to live with than this ridiculous bent tailgate issue. ugh.

 

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Yea, I'll have to look into everything a little more.... the only thing keeping me from doing the top piece as well was that I could do the rest by my self. We'll see what happens and I'll keep you posted when it does.

 

another possibility

 

I would still replace the inside piece with steel of aluminum.... The whole reason I started thinking about this was to have a more durable surface... The strength is an added bonus.

 

Relentless, If you ever start to make these I'd be real interested in getting one.