Tailgate Reinforce

I saw lots of threads from 2nd gen guys about beefing up the tailgate...Have any of you done any reinforcement? Same sorta plate ideas the 2nd genners do?

 

What exactly do you mean by beefing it up? I believe the tail gate is capable of supporting a load of 600 lbs.

 

Possibly a gently placed load of 600 lbs. If I were to stand on my tailgate and jump up and down, chances are I would make it bow out a bit. I only weigh 155. Those tailgates are not that sturdy. I am on my third.

There was a GB selling a tailgate reinforcement for around $150 I believe. Its a solid piece of sheet metal that replaces the plastic covering on your tailgate using the existing hardware. When I have time to find the link I will post it here so you can check out what it looks like.

 

Just noticed this is for a first gen not a second gen. But I am sure if you are looking to do this, this is the route you probably want to go

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/gr...te-reinforcement-group-buy-7.html#post6660232

 

*fixed link*

 

I have beat the shit out of my tailgate, its 15 years old and its straight as an arrow.

Maybe its a second gen problem?

 

It really is mainly a 2nd gen problem more than on 1st gen's. I bent the tailgate on my 07 in the first month I had the truck which is why I made the reinforcements. I've been using my 03 Tacoma for going on 3 years without bending the tailgate yet.
However I have been considering adding in a reinforcement plate over it like I offer for the 2nd gen's. Only catch is it would require drilling into the tailgate to attach and will leave screw heads sticking up and somewhat vulnerable.

 

Thanks for the replies, guys....600lbs is good to know, as I occasionally transport a walk behind mower. Relentless - I saw your plate in the 2nd gen section, and seems like a good idea

 

Has anyone had the cables that secure the gate break?

 

600 lbs? That seems WAY to high I have a warning sticker on my bed extender that says to not exceed 200 lbs on the tailgate.

 

I drove my 420 pound Kawasaki up into the bed of my truck using ramps on the tailgate, so that's about 575 pounds.

tailgates snapping in half is a 2nd gen problem, I would like to know the weight rating for ours though.

 

I've loaded everything from a Raptor, R1, R6, and a ZX6 all them just around 400 lbs give or take 25 lbs and I've never experienced anything on my first generation that would make me question the durability of the tailgate.

 

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/technical-chat/4838-cheap-free-mods-2.html

go to the 4th post down

 

I was worried about loading my 2 stage snow blower.

 

I bent the tailgate on my 1st gen from dropping a 600 + lb 4wheeler (the ramps slid out while loading) multiple times. It held fine when I loaded properly and the cables were not an issue at any point.
I didn't want to risk it with my 2nd gen so I just ordered the reinforcment.

 

There have been a couple of reported instances here on TW.

In fact I keep forgetting to replace mine but both of them have the sleeve ripped open and substantial rust on the cables... with a few strands on each side rusted through/broken.

Granted I don't load anything on to the tailgate, other than my fat ass, so it may not be as dire as someone who constantly loads theirs.

 

There is a fairly common bending issue with 1st gens, but it is more of a cosmetic thing.
If a point load such as ones knee or foot is placed around the center of the tailgate, that cover panel can distort, bending outward. That bend can telegraph thru an internal brace to the outside skin, giving you an "outie" dent.

I cut a piece of 3/8" Birch plywood roughly the size of the inner tailgate face and screwed on with sheet metal screws. I have a Bedrug that covers everything so it is unseen. So far so good.

Also had a cable break. It looked ok, aside from a little slit in the jacket but was rusted bad inside. Scared the heck out of an old man.

 

I want to reinforce behind the panel that is directly in contact with the handle.

Every time I climb in and out of my bed I was push that panel portion out and it ends up pushing the handle out.

 

Any delam with the birch ply in the weather? Did you seal it with anything?

 

No probs. It's been in place for 14 years. I did spray it with black paint to help the edges visually "go away" and I have a cap that seals very well so it does not see any weather to speak of. I don't know the moisture rating of the stuff but it is sometimes called "Aircraft Grade" with about 2x the #of plys of reg construction grade stuff.