Mobtown Aluminum Tailgate Plate Cover 3rd Gen Tacoma

http://mobtownoffroad.com/product/2016-tacoma-tailgate-reinforcement-plate/

As promised I’m doing a write up of the Mobtown tailgate cover which arrived today. I’ll just say it’s fucking awesome, much lighter than I expected, aluminum and powder coated black. It looks great and cleans up the plastic cover that was getting beat up with just mild use.

You’ll need a torx bit set and if you don’t have one by now, definitely buy one. That’s it for tools.

They said it would be 3-5 weeks to ship, but arrived in a few days, they must have had it in stock. I ordered the hardware kit and didn’t use it because I would have to modify the square nylon holes to more round, probably with a drill which I didn’t want to do. So I used all the old hardware and it installed in about 15 minutes. Keep in mind there’s two size screws to the OEM hardware.

You’ll always have to take off the two bolts on the top of the tailgate and should install these first when you put the Mobtown cover back on. Everything goes together easy and realize there’s two size screws and the larger ones go along the line under to top of the tailgate.

It’s 11lbs which is over twice as heavy as the old two pieces, but barely effects the tailgate drop, it just drops a little faster, but the assist still works basically like before.

That’s it. If you’re thinking about buying this, just do it. It’s the best upgrade I’ve done to my truck so far!

 

Looks awesome, thanks for the write up.

 

Super clean looking, very nice.

 

I love everything about this except. . .

The top of the tailgate is no longer flush with the top of the side rails. If you're using some type of bed cover, there will be a gap across the rear above the tailgate allowing water and dirt/dust into your bed.

 

That's odd. I went out to the product page and they have a picture that looks flush, but I see what you are saying in the picture from the OP. Seriously considering this, but would like some additional comments on how it fits with bed covers.

 

I’m sure it’ll fit with all bed covers. It’s no more height than the stock plastic thing on the end of the tailgate.

This is the best thing I’ve done to my truck. I’m all about replacing plastic with metal.

 

That looks great! However, I'd be afraid of scuffing it because it looks too pretty! My plastic tailgate cover is already pretty scuffed up and the truck is only a couple of months old.

 

That’s why I bought this metal one from Mobtown. I moved some furniture right after I bought my truck and scuffed the shit out of all the plastic pieces.

Anything harder than plastic will mess up the original. At least with this, if it gets scuffed you can touch up with black paint.

Not much is going to damage the metal cover except maybe if you’re hauling heavy steel.

 

I have been looking at this, never realized it goes up and over the tailgate. Thought it just fit the plastic flat piece. Will have to look into this after my leveling kit and wheels get on next month.

 

@Grossomotto

How did you put white on the TACOMA lettering on your bed mat. That looks really nice.

 

Well I actually painted it, but come to find out paint doesn’t stick to rubber very well and it started rubbing off, so I took some solvent and a rag and removed it. So, back to original now.

 

Thinking about getting this... I want to haul my 2018 Yamaha R6 in my truck bed which weighs just over 400lbs. I have a short bed, so the rear tire would rest completely on the tailgate. The rear half of the bike weights about 190lbs so I am confident the support cables will support the weight no problem, but I have heard that the tailgate itself may bend/bow over time if the OEM plastic is left on.

How well will this aluminum plate resist bending/bowing over time when exposed to weight (rear half of motorcycle) in the center of the tailgate?

Also, if anyone knows of any tailgate support bars (to assist the original cables) for the 2018 Tacoma, Id like some just for piece of mind.

 

I’m fairly certain it’s not going to bend, you would have to bend the entire tail gate and the metal underneath. There’s plenty other members that have hauled bikes in the back, some even two side by side.

More important, I like the metal on the top of the tailgate so it doesn’t get dented, the OE piece is completely plastic.

 

@Mobtown Offroad
How does it seal with the factory tonneau?

 

It’s not a big deal. The material is almost as thick as the stock plastic.

 

Thank you!

 

This is really cool! Nicely done. Thanks for sharing.

 

Holding up well

 

If it was flat without I'd buy one in a heartbeat. I don't want to buy the mountain hatch. Only considering even doing the mod since I need something flat for my camping stove and to place my beer.

 

Relentless' is flat.