Tailgate Attachments & Mods

You can buy pieces off ebay, Amazon or whatever but I just looked online for a plastics dealer in my area. I swung by and told them what I was looking for and they had a cutoff from a larger sheet that works just fine. Easy and inexpensive. Just do a CAD workup (cardboard assisted design- just a simple template) or use the one that's posted somewhere in this forum.

 

Ebay

 

Here is my version of a DYI tailgate panel. I installed an aftermarket tailgate electric tailgate lock that failed and was suck locked. I could not get the OEM tailgate panel off because my camp kitchen is in the way. I had to use a hole saw to get to the lock. After doing research for an aftermarket replacement the price was anywhere 125$ to 300$+ for plastic and aluminum options + shipping. I figured I could make one myself. One thing I wanted to do is split the panel in half, so I won't run into the same issue if the replacement lock fails.

Materials:

• I had my local metal supply cut 1/8" aluminum 109$
• $43 OCEANBROAD Boat Flooring EVA Foam Self-Adhesive 96''x16.8'' Faux Teak Marine Boat Decking Sheet for Jon Boats Yacht Floor, Brown with Black Seam Lines
  Amazon.com : OCEANBROAD Boat Flooring EVA Foam Self-Adhesive 96''x45.6''/36''/28.8''/16.8'' Faux Teak Marine Boat Decking Sheet for Boats Pontoon Jon Boat Yacht Floor : Sports & Outdoors 45.99$
• Some rivnuts and hardware I already had

 

Very cool! Nice pix, thanks for sharing! How do you like that boat flooring? I think I've seen people use that and the carpeting on their bambeds

 

I used some left over laminate flooring, just glued the pieces together and sealed the edges

 

I swear I saw where someone made just a flat panel one that bolted like factory. I can't remember the material that was used the company maybe started with a "G" but I cannot find it now. Does anyone remember what I'm talking about?

 

I checked and they've added a fully flat table option with their selection of colors: black, grey, red, black-white-black, red-white-red, and there may be other options added in the future.
The Trail Gear family of companies often have discounts on all their products (20-25%), and will notify you by email.

Edit: Came across this insert from BPF Bullet Proof Fabricating in the PNW: https://www.bpfabricating.com/products/bpf-2005-2015-toyota-tacoma-tailgate-panel Flat aluminum panel with two locking hatches.

 

Yeah I feel like there are a few companies that do the flat one's now, with Mountain Hatch probably being the most popular. Followed by the aluminium food-grade ones on Amazon that are good for cutting meat and filleting fish. I want to find a way to use my oem one and maybe just add on a sheet of the food grade metal to the middle or something

 

[QUOTE="

Edit: Came across this insert from BPF Bullet Proof Fabricating in the PNW: https://www.bpfabricating.com/products/bpf-2005-2015-toyota-tacoma-tailgate-panel Flat aluminum panel with two locking hatches.[/QUOTE]

Now this is cool! Thanks for sharing!

 

I think I’m gonna look into the aluminum flat panel for fileting fish and keeping my fold out ladder under the bed slide

 

I just replaced the plastic tailgate cover with a smooth stainless steel one from Relentless Fab. However, I don't like the look of the stock screws with it and the shouldered screws for the top edge are real bad. Looking to find some screws but curious if anyone had the size. My buddy had some with finish washers like for upholstery but they didn't grab any of the plastic grommet...too small. Thanks in advance.

 

Here's my 1/8" 6061 Aluminum tailgate panel

clamp the stock panel to trace for shape

 

that’s gorgeous, nicely done!

 

Where did you source the aluminum?

 

https://www.midweststeelsupply.com

Bought 2 pieces in 2021 for about $175 shipped. Price may have gone up now

 

Before shipping: 6061 .125 aluminum sheet pricing -
one full sheet 48" x 144" is $440. A single cut piece to approximate dimensions of tailgate is $700

 

Oh don't get a full sheet. I got 2 custom cut pieces. But maybe try a lower grade aluminum? Are you really going to know the difference?

 

Use 5052. Also will probably be cheaper if you find a local place. At least near me they will shear it for a cut charge and you dont need to buy a whole sheet

 

2005-2015 Tacoma Tail Gate Reinforcement panel – Relentless Off-Road Fabrication (relentlessfabrication.com)

Relentless Fab's aluminum option is $200. It goes over the top edge of the tailgate and replaces that plastic cap piece.

But, does anyone know the screws sizes for the tailgate? I'm thinking like a #12 or #14 size screw but didn't know if anyone knew for sure.