Installing Tailgate Gapshield by Ecoological (picture heavy)

Thanks to @Doublenickel for the recommendation and his install over here.

Super excited about Gapshield! No longer do I need to clean bark, oak leaves, and acorns out of the tailgate gap. The best price I found was at Caliraisedled here. Official video can be found on the Ecoological website here. They recommend installing the product at temps above 68, and also warming up the Gapshield prior to installing. Also, for obvious reasons, they don't recommend blasting it with a pressure washer (underside, at least).

I used

$18 Miracle II Regular Soap 22 Oz (Miracle 2)

Jesus soap to wash the bed (great for everything including keeping fleas off pets).

Here's how the bed looked before the wash:


All cleaned up. By the way, I have the PakRax State48overland tailgate panel found over here.


Cut a test strip to fit:


Here's how it looks on the back:


Draw a pencil line at the silver washers:


Using a sharpie, utility knife and a cutting board, notch the 1st corner about 5 lines down and 1.25" over:


Cut the Gapshield to length, notch the other corner (same as the other one), test fit to make sure it lays flat. Total overall length was 55-1/2":


Dry the bed, and prep with supplied primer:


Heat the surface for good measure if it's cold out:


Start by pulling off the backing tape and lining up the Gapshield with the pencil line:


Continue pulling tape while pressing down on both sides as you go. Press 10 seconds for complete adhesion.


Check edges for fit. Make sure they clear the bolts and tailgate cable:


Trim excess where necessary:

Crack open a cold beverage, and enjoy your new Gapshield!

 

I had no idea this product existed and now I need it. Excellent writeup.

 

Riiighhhtt?!

I’m over here cleaning my bumper off like a complete schmuck

 

My kids dropped a bunch of blueberries down there once and I bought one that night. Love that thing

 

Once post OP. I just use a hose to blast the crap outta there.

 

I need that! Every time I haul bark dust or rocks, it always get stuck in the gap. Thanks for sharing!

 

I'm more impressed you didn't get your feet in the last few pics. Good write up

 

I usually open the tailgate and they all fall through the gap.
Instead of cleaning the gap, you clean out the bed?

 

I know right! Maybe it was my camouflaged flip flops?

 

And here's how it looks with an arm load of spider wood:

 

Looks great, but unfortunately the first time I slid my kayak into the bed it would tear it right off.

 

I haven’t experienced this but if a rock gets stuck in the gap, it can bend the bottom corners of the tailgate outwards.

 

Niceeee

 

Nah. It’s on there. A smooth bottom boat def won’t take it off

 

I'd just hate to buy it and the first time I load my Hobie in there loaded for a day on the water at about 150lb to nose the flap and rip it. I'll have to look into it a bit further as it may be worth the $40 experiment just to keep salt water packed sand out of that gap. I clean it every time but a bit of prevention goes a long way.

Does this make it difficult to clean out that gap when you need to? Can you slip a hose under one side and easy enough?

 

The flap is super easy to lift to clean out the gap. If you're worried about dragging something across the top of it, you can always place a thin piece of plywood over the Gapshield to protect it.

 

I used ESI Rokblock myself. Worked out great.

$36 ESI ROK BLOCK Tailgate Gap Cover 4.25" width

https://www.amazon.com/BLOCK-Tailgate-Cover-4-25-width/dp/B00BPE4AP6

Looks very similar.

 

Does this product stick to the tailgate too? I frequently remove my tailgate to install truck camper.

 

Oh whoops. This is the one I used?

 

Looks nice! Great write up.