Factory Tonneau cover leak fix mod

Figured out an easy way to tighten up the factory tonneau cover on my 19 DCSB. Before I began I got in the bed and closed the cover. There was daylight everywhere and especially down the sides and bed corners near the cab. Now I have 2 pin holes, one on the drivers side front near the goofy expansion joint, and the second on the right rear at the tailgate.Overall i'd say i eliminated 95% or better of the clear openings.

So starting at the rear, call the rear panel #3, the center panel #2, and the front panel#1.

On panel 3, if you pop the latch cover off you'll notice a plate under the latch that's about 1/8" thick with a part number of D220-AB.

On panel 2, you'll notice there are 2 plates under the latch, one that's about an 1/8" thick, same as above, and a thinner one that's about 1/16" thick with part number D221-AB stacked with it.

1. Flip the cover up so that the latches on panel 2 are sticking up and remove the plastic latch cover.
2. Unbolt latch and remove the thinner plate from under both latches on panel 2 so that only 1 plate, the thicker one remains. SAVE THE THIN PLATES.
3. Reinstall the nuts on the latches on panel 2 but don't tighten all the way. You want them to float just a little for alignment.
4. Gently close panel 2, check alignment on latches and tighten nuts. NOTE: You'll have to gently push on the cover just above the latches to get the second click.
5. Flip the second cover back up and reinstall the latch covers.
6. Moving to panel 3, remove the latch covers, nuts and thicker plates under the latches.
7. Install the thinner plate under the latch that were removed from panel 2.
8. Reinstall nuts, check alignment and reinstall latch covers.

You'll immediately notice that you can't get the second click just by shutting the cover. You have to push slightly on the cover to get the second click at each latch.

Up front on panel 1, you have to remove the bolt and cover from the truck. Under the latch and anchor assembly there is the thicker plates. Remove them and bolt the latch and anchor back on without it. The front is only actuated when the cover is being removed so I don't see the need for the extra rigidity the plate is providing. Follow the same install procedure above.

Total time: 1 hour
Total parts: 2 Beers.

After I completed this, I washed my truck and the bed stayed dry. Just rinsing the truck off with a garden hose used to allow a significant amount of water in.

On a side note. It appears the bolt anchor at the front could be removed and a latch installed. I opened up the cable cover and everything is there, just appears someone at Toyota got nervous about the cover coming off so they replaced the latch and striker with a anchor.

 

If I understand this correctly, you're taking the two thinner plates from the middle latches, leaving the thicker plates. Then replacing the thicker plates on the panel at the rear of the truck with the two thinner plates taken from the center panel.

Is that right?

If this is the case, I might look to make some plates of different thicknesses to experiment with. I have a vertical mill and could fab some up.

 

That's correct. I tried leaving the plates out but I couldn't compress the gasket enough to latch. I still get a leak or 2 in wind driven rain but it stays dry in light to moderate rain both driving and parked.

 

Nice. I was looking at new gaskets andother stuff. Will have to try this.

 

Thanks for sharing this, I took out the shims on the first section and now it seals tight.

 

I just happened upon this by searching part number on 2 mysterious plates that I found in my Tacoma glove box. Had the truck 2 years and have never noticed them. I do have the Tacoma bed cover and will give this a try. Did the rest of y’all have 2 spare D220-AB plates in come with the truck? Thanks!

 

Holy cow! I’m so glad I happened upon this thread! I never knew there was a 2nd click, haha! This was just something I had learned to deal with. Also, my #3 latch didn’t have a spacer plate. I added the thin plate to it. Closes like a champ!!

 

Also there is some rubber bumpers that are going to top off and not compress the gasket any further.

 

Subbed!

 

Stumbled upon this when I was searching for a cover and bookmarked it. Finally got a cover and have some small leaks, did this today. No plates up front, thick plate middle, thin plate on back. Definitely seals better closed and has a more level look. Still does the second click easy too.

 

Ya, this thread is a keeper.

 

This sounds like what I'm looking for thank you for your time! Will update shortly.

 

I just completed this on my 2017 DCSB. I did everything as listed, but I was able to leave the thick shims installed at the rear section (tailgate) as the latches were already snug. A much better fit overall and it now sits more flat to the bed. I really have to use some strength to fully latch the front section, but the weather strips now make good contact on the front corners especially, where most of the water was entering. I also cut two 1/4 inch rubber strips and wedged them in the smalls gaps in the front. Thanks for this fix!

Cheers,

Steven

 

I completed mine yesterday. I no longer have visible gaps up front and less so at the rear. Glad you mentioned the second click as I had no idea it was there. Without the second click the front still had a large opening. Thanks for this.

 

This sounds like a great fix and I just did this to my 2018 dbl cab. I did exactly as described above and it still leaks like a siv. I can’t figured it out. All three panels are double clicked and the gasket feels snug. The #3 panel is actually brand new as it was replaced under warranty. The water is running down the sides of the bed as it sits in my driveway in medium rain. It is also leaking down through the gaps in between panels running side to side across the bed. I’m really disappointed with this cover. The vinyl trifold I had on my Tundra leaked a little in the front and back, but nothing like this. This is nearly useless to me. If I were to take this truck camping right now, everything in the bed is going to get wet. I’ll try to post a picture.

 

Same Reason I'm switching to a diamondback cover.

 

I have this cover on my 2020 and it does leak. I believe it was factory installed? Before I try to fix things as described by others here, is it a warranty issue that Toyota can deal with? I have about 10k miles on it. If not, then I will give it a shot.

 

You can try and see if they will warranty it. This will not fix all leaks. Tonneau covers leak, don’t think you will get waterproof.

 

So I had my 2018 in for Service yesterday and the service advisor mentioned he has had two Tacoma’s, I asked if his factory tonneau had leaked and he said no. The sales manager has a 20 and said his has never leaked and they shouldn’t be leaking through the gap in the panels as mine does. The were all too happy to order me a new one under warranty. It came in today and will be installed next week. No fight on their end at all. I’m impressed. Toyota of Portsmouth in New Hampshire.