Tailgate gap

My truck has had an uneven gap on the tail gate for a while and it kinda bugs me is there any way to fix it and is it normal.

 

You have a failing yoke going on there. Very common. Notice that the gap is much greater at the top.

If the yoke has not already cracked it can be saved/reinforced by one of several aftermarket supports designed for this. Recommend that you attend to this before it becomes real fun...

 

Back when I had a 2nd gen, I recall my tailgate was narrower at the top. Use a tape measure and measure yours.

 

Bed Stiffener Brackets could help realign your bed sides that are leaning out.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/bed-stiffeners.779642/

 

IIRC, IF the gap is uneven left to right
The tailgate mounts differently than the bed and is due to gradual bed shift or from factory and fixed by loosen and reposition bed.

What does this mean

 

What is the yoke

 

Cheep ones ?

 

https://memes.yarn.co/yarn-clip/d5413bc8-379d-49cf-a3c3-9a16ca858c7a

 

I may be too young to understand Seinfeld. Do you think Amazon ones will work.

 

I got some cheep ones I’m installing them soon hopefully they hold up

 

be careful... a few years back, i also made the same uneven gap observation on both sides of my tailgate on my tacoma... physically grabbed the side bed to forcefully adjust and correct the gap... ended up putting a hairline crack in the rear tail light lens... i never now mess with the fit and finish as long as it is functional... don't ask me about the gaps on my ford obs... more common here... came from the factory that way... lol...

 

I got some stiffeners to stop the issue.

 

Guess the yoke's on him then.

 

How tight should the barb bolts be

 

^Which bolts are you calling the "barb bolts"?

 

Bed

 

You're clamping down on fiberglass, so not that tight. Coat the threads in cosmoline or anti-seize and tighten to about the same as you would an oil pan drain plug.

 

https://youtube.com/shorts/k3VdvnwoTP0?si=zuNX5JVRChFNU5dW

 

I installed bed supports and have a Rachet strap too.