Weak Tailgate

anytime

 

Thanks guys! I Didn't realize how poorly constructed the tailgates are.

 

I'd say we all were once in those same shoes. I love/hate this forum. Love the new stuff when it arrives... Hate when the bill arrives. Haha

 

Always thought it would be a nice feature building storage into the tail gate void...

Do not think the factory plastic would be that great to cook on when camping.

 

Wondering how you would get the tailgate open if the internal latching mechanism or Pop & Lock failed?

With the original plastic cover, it is relatively easy to get to the internal mechanism to open the tailgate.

But with the reinforcement plate installed, how would you reach the internal mechanism if it failed? Some of the screws are covered up when the tailgate is closed.

 

the tail gate is fine for cooking on...I've used my colman stoves, backpack stoves, set hot pans on the tail gate...no problems. This was on my 06 Tacoma. Yes it is weak, and it is slippery, but it's holds up well to the simple day to day tasks.

 

Answer that and I will probably the plate right now.

 

How would you do it with the stock plate? The screws would be covered up as well? The reinforcement plays utilizes the same factory screws that the stock plate uses.

In 02ducks pic it shows the plastic piece over the reinforcement plate.

 

The plastic stock plate flexes, so if you remove only the exposed center screws, the plastic plate will flex just enough for you to reach inside the tailgate to access the locking mechanism.

With a steel plate, that would be almost impossible to do.

I imagine you might have to cut a large hole in the steel plate to access the internals, if the tailgate would not open.

Does anyone else know of another way to open the tailgate if it is stuck closed? Maybe there is a way to get the latches to release without internally accessing the tailgate?

 

Ahh I see. Well its kinda a trade off I guess. You can either have the reinforcement and possibly save your tailgate, but possibly have to cut a hole in the plate it if it locks up on you. Or you could keep the stock configuration, possibly damage your tailgate, but be able to get in if the latch malfunction. A lot of "If's" but its always important to think ahead I suppose.

I have the stock latch, and I do service it in the case that it does malfunction. (little bit of grease now and then.

 

I would probably just make a hole using a 3 1/2" metal hole saw cutter over the latch assembly prior to installing the reinforcement underneath the plastic piece. Now if you don't have the plastic over it I guess you would be SOL.

 

That just helps support adding in small storage wells into the tail gate void. If the latch fails then pop off the cover, unbolt the storage well and access the latch.

 

Seriously? The tailgates are that weak? What a piece of shit.

 

So today the dealer said they wouldn't cover a replacement, but as a goodwill gesture they would cover repair and repaint. They authorized me to get a couple quotes and let them know. I didn't really want to go that route, but I do absolutely appreciate them offering. I guess I'll ask around.

 

I'd jump all over that offer.

 

Haha yeah. I'm gonna run it by my PDR guy first though. I've seen him work some magic. If anyone can do it he can. But if that fails then I'll go the body shop route.

 

they should have made composite tailgates. the same material as the bed.

 

No. The whole bed should be made out of metal. The whole composite bed is just shit.

 

Do not agree

 

I just hate that when I use ratchet straps, it sounds like I'm gonna rip the bed apart.