Cannot remove tailgate (won't release from right side)

Tried for 45 minutes, even with a buddy who had a taco.

In the 2.5 years I've owned it (2010 dbl cab, trd sport LB) I've never taken it off or had to the need to till now - I need to wet sand a bit.

We think the ring that is against right side of bed on hinge is in the wrong spot. It moves with door movement - not sure if it's supposed to.

Tried moving it either way with not luck.

Any thoughts? I don't want to mess up that ring.

 

The right side comes off different than the left, the left side has the open notch but the right side is a solid cup so you remove the left side first and simply pull the whole gate to the left.

 

I think you should take pictures and post it. Tailgate theft is common for these trucks - sounds like you have a cheap and effective solution.

David

 

Pics of both sides.

 

looking at the back of the truck, my slotted hinge is on the right.

OP, I believe you just tilt the tailgate down to about a 45* angle then lift up on the right side. There should be a little opening for it to slide off the hinge. Then once you lift off the right side, bring it slightly back and pull it off the right hinge. Should be pretty easy.

 

X2 the open notch is on the right side hinge.

Here's a video of tailgate removal/theft. With 2009+ trucks, be sure to disconnect the camera cable before yanking off the tailgate.

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/technical-chat/27829-tailgate-theft-how-prevent.html

 

I could have my sides backwards not looking at right now but the basic drift is slotted on one side only. The 45 degree angle mentioned is correct. Line up the slot and pull that side off first then pull the whole gate away from the other side. It should be a piece of cake, just had mine on and off three times for LineX and a couple mods recently.

-1 TW point for dyslexia ?

 

!!!!!! I have a '10 and mine is on the right side, I'm pretty sure. I also put the tailgate locky thingy on the right side. Did I do it wrong?

 

Oh, sorry. Yes I read the manual - mine should be on the right Plus my buddy had a taco and was telling me how after I tried for 20 minutes. He's like tilt and pull up. Nada.

He came over and we spent the next 25 minutes going WTF!!!!! I tried all angles - I get there is a notch I just want to see someones ring that is against the right side of bed. Should that notch move?

 

Nothing moves on the right side of mine.

 

Yes, that part should turn with the tailgate when you open it. The notched part is connected to the tailgate. Any chance you can post a video or atleast a pic of what's happening?

 

Whoops. I was thinking that you were talking about something else. I understand what Deevon is saying and yes, that part is connected.

Here's a vid I found that might help. Not a Tacoma but close enough.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUk9lEJ1Kes

 

Yep, that video is exactly how it should go.

 

Saw that video too I only wish it worked that easy - that's why I think something is wrong. Only thing I can think of is when the bumper was painted they might have removed the tailgate and screwed it up or since I've never had it off it was mess up prior to me getting it.

I'll try to get video or pics.

 

I'm guessing you bought the truck new, being you had it over 2.5 years? If you bought it used is it possible there's some kind of clamp or lock on it? Like a tailgate anti theft mod?

 

Interested to see pics of the right side hinge. I'm thinking along the lines of babytruck too.

 

I had this same issue on my truck, the right side hinge with the slot has a nylon insert that is also slotted. The insert had turned in the slotted steel cup, making tailgate removal impossible until the insert was rotated in the cup to align the slots. I used a small screwdriver, a pick, and a few choice words IIRC.

 

Huh. Well I bet that's what happened.

 

I had this problem the first time i tried on my 2008

the channel that holds the tab (round part) had one opening, inside the metal there is a plastic bushing thing and on mine that plastice rotated to where the opening was blocked. i used a screw driver and rubber mallet to turn the plastic bushing back so that the openings lined up.

hope this helps