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Aftermarket bed rail caps

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by mousetrapcampers, Dec 29, 2024.

  1. Dec 29, 2024 at 3:13 PM
    #1
    mousetrapcampers

    mousetrapcampers [OP] New Member

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    Hey all! sorry if this has already been covered but I'm in search of aluminum bed rail caps for 3rd gen tacomas. My understanding is 3rd gen oem caps are much better than 2nd gen caps but they are still plastic. I'm manufacturing bed rail mounted wedge campers and would love to offer my customers a good alternative to the oem plastic caps. I know KB Voodoo makes a set for 2nd gens. It looks great and exactly what I'm after but after speaking with them they don't offer them for 3rd gens. Anyone have a line on these??

    2S2D3842.jpg
     
    Ngneer likes this.
  2. Dec 29, 2024 at 6:09 PM
    #2
    soundman98

    soundman98 Well-Known Member

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    no one makes the that i'm aware of.

    i believe it's partly due to the shape. the 3rd gen caps are recessed into the body panels slightly, and aluminum replacements can't be easily formed to match that
     
  3. Dec 30, 2024 at 8:06 AM
    #3
    Zeptiix

    Zeptiix Well-Known Member

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    Never heard of aluminum ones, sounds cool though haha
     
  4. Dec 30, 2024 at 4:30 PM
    #4
    Toycoma2021

    Toycoma2021 Well-Known Member

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    Northern California, Temporarily
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    2021 Access Cab, LB, AT, V6, Off Road
    Never heard of any aftermarket bed rail caps of any material.

    Note to OP:
    The composite bed is not sealed by Toyota to the metal fender, nor the rail cap to the metal fender. I've spent quite a bit of effort to seal these leaks. The only thing I think is not leaking is the seal between the topper and the rail cap. Terrible design by Toyota.
     
    Ngneer likes this.
  5. Jan 6, 2025 at 5:46 PM
    #5
    mousetrapcampers

    mousetrapcampers [OP] New Member

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    I have read about lots of issues getting a good seal underneath the plastic cap and the front corners where the side rail caps meet the bulkhead rail cap. It looks like the best way to go about it is to actually remove the caps and apply sealant then reinstall the caps. Still have yet to find an aluminum cap that replaces the 3rd gen plastic cap.

    I love the Tacomas to death but I think the bed design is one of their biggest downfalls.
     
    Ngneer likes this.
  6. Jan 6, 2025 at 6:36 PM
    #6
    Toycoma2021

    Toycoma2021 Well-Known Member

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    2021 Access Cab, LB, AT, V6, Off Road
    Once you have that plastic rail off you will see the problems, with their removal you are likely to break many of the clips on the rails too. Water can come sideways from the outside horizontally to the inside - this is not the greatest contributor to the intrusion of water into the bed.

    The square, rectangular and a few round holes the plastic cap attaches to metal from underneath the truck account for the majority of the water intrusion with my fender liners removed.

    Plus, the unsealed composite bed to the metal fender is practically unreachable. This must be sealed from the inside or from underneath with the fender liners removed. Very difficult I have found from the outside/underneath - you are working upside down and adhesives/foams do like to obey gravity. My next step will be to seal from inside the bed. This will trap water within the afore mentioned parts, but I see no other way.

    Those corners I built up plugs with windshield urethane which seems to have worked well.
     

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