Hood Separated from Frame

I bought my 07 TRD 3 years ago, and noticed soon after that the hood vibrated a LOT during highway driving. It turned out that the sheet metal had completely separated from the frame underneath. Thinking that it was clearly a manufacturing defect, I took it straight to a dealer (even though I knew it wasn't under warranty anymore). OF COURSE they told me there was nothing they could do but replace it and charge me for it. So then I took it to a body shop that charged me a couple hundred bucks to 'glue' the hood back together. That lasted for a while, but now it's separated again.

Has anyone else had the same problem with their 2nd gens? Anyone got a solution that doesn't involve me handing Toyota money to replace a shit product? I've thought of going at it with some epoxy, but a) it'd have to be capable of withstanding the heat from the engine, and b) how would I clamp it properly while the epoxy's setting up?

 

That's a new one on me, maybe try finding a new hood at a junkyard.

 

Jb weld!!

 

One dude has an issue and now the Tacoma is a shit product.

OK then!

 

Out of curiosity, is there any indication of damage by the previous owner? I've personally never heard of this happening on any vehicle, but then again I don't claim to be all knowing when it comes to vehicle issues.

I'd be reluctant to try and "glue" it back together with some sort of epoxy, more so because clamping it would probably leave dimples in the hood. Isn't the sheet welded to the hood frame?

 

Pics please.

 

drill and rivet

with rivets and epoxy

 

Duct tape

 

I think your best bet would be to bring it to a welding shop and have them use a few tack welds to hold it together. Then use some touch up paint.

 

This ^^^^

 

Plasti dip it that crappy stuff works for everything.

 

yep this^

 

I got to say this is probably something that the previous owner did, maybe it was in a accident or something. Your truck is the first I have ever heard of this, I would bet the previous owner knows what happened.

 

Wasn't referring to the truck as a whole, just the hood assembly. I'll try posting some pics tomorrow.

 

Usually when something fucky like this is happening it has something to do with bad body work. Check the front end for other tell tale signs like dust nibs, and whatever else.

 

Welded or new assembly. Those are probably your best options to prevent this from happening again.

 

Ive got spots where its pulled away