Tailgate cable strength and reinforcement possibilities?

Hey, me again. Yeah, probably seems like my Tacoma search is long and without end in sight. Anyway looking at a double cab now with the intent of putting at the max 2 streetbikes in the bed of the truck. Did a search and found a few people saying the tailgate and tailgate cables can take the weight for extended periods. Just wanted to know 1) where can i get new cables if they snap and 2) is their a way to put on stronger than stock tailgate cables just to make sure??

thanks

 

Well I supposed you could custom fab some with some steel cable if you want stronger ones. My local hardware store carries all the stuff I would use to make a set if I wanted too. I wouldn't expect that you could get them very thick since they have to loop in such a tight space. The ones on my truck broke in half when they rusted out right in the middle. Found that the local Checkers carried replacements. I also found them on a ton of online retailers for anywhere from like 8 bucks each and up.

 

Personally, I'd be more worried about the tailgate itself buckling, specially on first gens. You can reinforce the tailgate by removing the panel and adding some steel reinforcements which should help. Knowing first hand how much they cost to replace and get painted, I wouldn't risk putting anything on it without reinforcing it first.

Some of the second gens are just as bad, but Toyota finally did a recall for some years.

 

i thought only the 2nd gen tailgates had strength issues?

 

Actually, I have seen some guys just screw on an extra full-size plate over the whole inside of the tailgate, I imagine thick aluminum. You can still unscre that and take it off to access the normal access panel.

 

i dont know about putting 2 streetbikes in the bed... but i drove a buddy of mine's Yamaha r1 10hrs straight and the back tire was resting on the tailgate the whole way. just used tie down ratchets and strapped that baby down. No problems with cables and no problems stressing or buckling the tailgate.

 

I know this is kind of an old thread but my question to you guys would be on the loading and unloading action. I was going to get a ramp to load and unload my 450 lb bike plus my 170 lbs. Can the tailgate handle something like that? Over 600 lbs starting at the edge of the tailgate?

 

So how did the tailgate handle two bikes? I just got my first Taco ('13 4x4 short bed 4-door) and had the same question...

 

Well being that most the weight of the bikes going to be in the bed, and ratcheting the bikes down up front will also take weight off the rear, I doubt it would need reinforcements.....

 

Damn, blast from the past lol.

 

Dealer

Home Depot

 

Was there a concensus that the stock tailgate would manage the weight?

 

I have had 3 guys sit on my tailgate as I drove through campus with my first gen. Didn't even thing about it but combined those guys are well over 600 pounds, mainly on the edge of the tailgate. Needless to say there were no problems. I wouldn't worry about it

 

Fab up something like this maybe? Or talk to one of the fab vendors on here. http://www.merchant-automotive.com/mastainlesstailgatestraps.aspx