My tailgate mod

Just found this. Not a tacoma, but same location of the damage as the tacoma. (for some reason all the tacoma bent tailgate pics have been sucked off the net....) This one didn't bend at the top, but you can see how it bent at the bottom. All you really need to do it bridge those two sections with a stiff bar to keep it from giving out, and distribute the weight over the whole tailgate.

Using a ramp helps, but then you have to make sure nothing rides on the tailgate. If you reinforce it, then no worries! lol

 

Sshhhh!!! They are listening....

That tells me what I need to know, you cut the tabs and glued in place. Thanks.

 

Wait !! There is a TSB for this "Tacoma-Gate" as in watergate scandal ??? If so, does anyone have a copy or a link to where the actual TSB can be downloaded ?? And did I hear correctly that Toyta will replace the Gate if it get bent ???

What year Tacomas does this TSB cover? I am concerned as I just picked up my 2007 Tacoma Access cab and I plan on utilizing the bed + tailgate for some serious loading and unloading....

 

Yeah, and the plastic cap takes some work to stay in place. I used gorilla glue, but it made a mess of things. Also came apart with the dealer went to do the original tailgate TSB. Their glue didn't hold so I put some construction adhesive down, then did the bolts! That sucker ain't coming off! I did that after I went and ripped everything apart again, chiseled off all the gorilla glue and put the second brace in at the bottom.

 

Looks great. If you find that it is really working well for you, you might find a market for that. I would buy one from you!...I just dont have the right tools for cutting the material. Even if I did, it would come out crooked!.................

 

Check your PM's...

 

This irritates the heck out of me. Next time I go in for service I'm going to demand they do the fix now with the explanation it will save them from replacing the tailgate later since I'm planning to move some 400 lb moorings this summer.

I found a PDF of the TSB here.
http://clem.mscd.edu/~reesegr/BO004-07.pdf

 

The problem with your argument is the new TSB replaces the tailgate with a redesigned one.

 

I didn't see that newer TSB.

Not that I'm any less irritated that I'm probably going to damage my Tacoma doing something that my 15 year old 1991 Toyota wouldn't have batted an eye at.

 

As long as you still have bumper to bumper warranty, I say bend it with the next load and take it to the dealership. Then they won't be able to argue about preventive measures or it not being damaged yet.

 

Not only that, but I got the story that "Toyota will not allow them to replace/repair it unless it is damaged" you now have your marching orders. Personally, I am going to (try to) sell the aluminum plate I made and go with the Sethmark "gater saver" thing.

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/showthread.php?t=226835

 

Has the tailgate been fixed in the 2008.???

 

As I understand it, part way through the '08's.

 

wonder how I would know if Mine is one of the good ones...Just bought it last week.

 

If you scare up the TSB on it (the revised one to include the '08's) it will give you VIN numbers where the change takes place.