No Ribs Tailgate...anyone?

Someone revived it, then we all just piled on

 

Adventurebuilt15 is a working and current code.

 

Probably not the best solution, but many years ago, for the exact same reason, a friend of mine poured epoxy resin into the recesses on his Mazda B2200 tailgate to fill them to create a flush surface.
It added about 8-10lbs to the weight of the tailgate.

He did drive some sheet metal screws into the recesses before pouring in the epoxy resin to create anchors for the cured resin.

 

I noticed that...seems this issue with the tailgate has a history that still applies today.

 

I have the Mountain Hatch insert. It was on my 2nd Gen til the truck was totaled then I put it on my 3rd Gen no problem. The tailgate insert is expensive, but they do offer discounts, and I am glad I purchased it. Much nicer to sit on and to kneel on.

 

Is the snail armor plate significantly hotter to the touch that the OEM plastic piece? My concern is my but mostly my dogs feet.

 

It's metal (alum) so it should get warm. Their websight warns of this also. Mine arrives tomorrow so I can't say first hand.

 

Can you also weigh it, please?

 

Sure will...after it arrives.

 

I think it's like 11 lbs. Probably says something on the website. As for hot, mine has been sitting in 90 degree sun and just had to crawl back there and it wasn't particularly hot or anything and I was wearing shorts. Now, leaving it open and in the sun probably would get pretty warm but so does black plastic.

 

the hell is the matter with me, liking this?!

 

I don't mind it. I think it's the whole point. Instead of someone creating a new post we can compile all the related information into this one so the next guy has all this information in one place. This is the one stop shop for all tailgate panel related questions and answers.

 

Couldn't get access to a scale, bit it is very comparable to the stock piece after removal.
I held it in its packaging at arms length single handed. 11 to 13 lbs maybe.
Nice pice and I like the countersunk holes for the new hardware.

 

I'd think it's better to revisit and old thread and continue the discussion than clutter up the forum with 30 new ones posted the same topic.

 

So I took a risk on this cheapo Amazon product and it's not too bad for $139.99.

$150 u-Box Tacoma Tailgate Panel - Black Plastic Compatible with Toyota Tacoma 05-23 (2nd & 3rd Gen) Pickup Trucks

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09PVDSPPS?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

It's got a cheesy brand name with not so good finish on the lettering.



The cup holders also have some minor defects.



One of the corners was slightly bent but not enough to really bother me. It's on the inside corner where you can't really see it unless you really look hard.



It reuses the factory hardware which are just screws in plastic backing. Kinda cheap setup from the factory to be honest. I recommend removing and installing these screws by hand because it's really easy to strip the plastic backing if you use any power tools. But I think all the expensive panels on the market also reuse the factory screws and backing.

Not all the holes aligned perfectly but it wasn't bad enough for it not to work. I just left all screws loose so I could move the panel around until they all found a home. Then tightened them all down once they were all in. Everything looked aligned at the end.


It made the tailgate a littler heavier so I noticed the tailgate damper isn't as stiff as before. The tailgate opens a little faster and harder now. Again not enough for me to really care. It may wear out the damper faster but only time will tell. I don't mind supporting the tailgate a little with my hand on the way down.

Overall you get what you paid for. But I'm hard on my trucks and usually scratch things up pretty quickly. I'm not the type who babies my truck or cares how it looks or what brand things are. I just wanted something functional at a decent price. This gives me a flat surface for cooking and setting my beer down. I was considering an even cheaper DIY setup. But this was so cheap and installed in 10 minutes it just made more sense for me.

I give it a solid 4 stars. It's cheap and meets my needs but I can't give it 5 stars because of the poor finish.

 

Agreed, but pointing that out to anyone who responds to someone that may not have been around in 3 years and is probably driving a Ridgeline by now.

 

I just wanna say i like ribs at a tailgate

 

Yep.

BUt.... nothing wrong with a zombie post if it helps people find updated product info, eh? This post definitely helped me find a solution.

D

 

!!blasphemy!!