Drain hole plugs

I know I saw a post about this recently, but can’t seem to find it. I was washing my truck and noticed these plastic covers in 2out of three holes on my doors. My 4runner and 2nd gen didn’t have them. They remove very easily. Does everyone else have them? Did the dealer forget to remove them?

 

Did you buy some sort of dealer rust proofing package?

 

No rust proofing

 

I guess they are the 3rd gen Equivalent of these, I’ve just never paid attention to them I suppose:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/getting-water-inside-driver-door.480981/

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/door-drain-plugs-shields.384955/

 

wild guess based on positions.........

Square one might be a drain with a 'flap' on the bottom?

Round ones could be plugging access holes needed for some assembly function or adjustments. Don't appear low enough to be actual drains.

 

Agreed. The square one is what I was referring to. Here are a few more pictures. It appears the “plug” has a hole in it that would allow water to drain. I can only speculate that they are there to allow water out while also keeping debris from getting in. But then why only 2 out of 3 drains have them. Cost cutting?

 

The doors, tailgate, hood, and box section of the frame come soaked in cavity wax corrosion protection from the factory, that’s what they amber colored “wax” is seeping out of the holes.

 

Again guessing, but I'd say sloppy work / QC

 

My curiosity is peaked. I wonder if anyone else has them? I’ll have to go to the dealer and look at a couple new ones. Anyone else have these on 2/3 drains on their 3rd gen?

 

I’ll look now

 

Only 2. 2023

 

I have them on my 2015
2 on each door 1 missing , same as yours.

 

Case closed. Thanks gentlemen!

 

It’s probably so enough water can drain out . They leave 1 missing

 

I was just about to post the same thing. The inside of the door may even angle downwards towards the missing piece. The other two my be vents to prevent a vacuum

 

I just checked my truck (2021 Access Cab). The rubber gasket (shown in the OP's picture) has a flat extension that goes to the corner of the door. The two upper holes are used for fasteners that secure that flat extension. The lower hole has a plug (as shown in the OP's picture), but it's covered up by the gasket extension. Never noticed these before.

 

I never noticed them before until today. My 16 4runner doesn’t have them and I would argue the build quality is better on the 4runner than the Tacoma. Albeit not by much.