Relentless Tailgate Reinforcement DIY

Long time lurker, short time member. 2014 DCSB. Located in SD so if anyone needs help, feel free ask. I purchased the steel version due to aluminum being a softer metal that bends and scratches easily. Here are the steps I used for the relentless tailgate reinforcement install. Hope this will help some of you guys out!

Remove the 15 screws using a T30 torx bit.


The top/lip of the tailgate should be removed first. grab from the outside and lift up. after that, remove the tailgate cover.


you can see the terrible factory braces that were glued down. yes, glued...


This is how your tailgate should now look, naked. Mine is a bit different due to having the poplock installed.



Clean and prep the tailgate. I used 80 grit sand paper and scuffed up both sides to give the paint something to stick to. Next up clean all the dust/dirt off. Xylene cleaner is best. I used the truck bed liner to coat the outside and the standard paint for the inside. I sprayed 12-16 inches away, dont go any closer as you'll risk getting the runs :/


I used 1.5 TBL (truck bed liner) cans to coat the outside. I did about 3-4 coats to make sure I wouldn't have to re-do it for a while. The inside was done just to prevent some rusting that may occur.


next up I put some weather stripping on the inside of the lip to keep scratches to the tailgate at bay. I purchased the good stuff from Home Derpo. Came out to $5.XX. I cut two 21" strips and placed each starting from the end going in to the lock. there Is 1/4 inch gap at the ends and the center narrows down to no gap. I would advise against placing the weather stripping the full length as it will be a very tight fit/not fit at all.


Now put the tailgate on. A helpful hint is to spray the top of the tailgate with windex. the lubrication will allow the cover to slide on easily.


Next up, which is optional, you can add the existing tailgate cover back on. I opted to add it so it still goes for the factory look and its still easy to slide items into the bed. If you decide against this, you will need to enlarge the bottom holes to give the factory screws clearance or get 7 more of screws used on the 8 holes to give a flush appearance. To add the cover, you will need to remove the three tabs. Using a dremel is easiest with a cutoff wheel. Make sure each spot is flush.


Now, there is the problem with the factory screws at the top of the tailgate sitting flush and the rubber grommets from pushing the tailgate out. Both very easy fixes, grab a 29/64 drill bit and enlarge the holes so the factory screws will sit flush. Next is using an 11/16 spade bit and drilling out a hole for the grommets. (HD has a 13 piece set for $19.88) Holes for the screws belonging to the bottom and sides do not need to be altered.






After the holes are made, line up the cover and screw it all together.
Finally, open a beer and admire your work.

 

Good idea for the top screws and the bump stops.

 

Great write-up, thanks!

 

welcome!

 

What's the reason for this mod?
Is the tail gate weak?

 

FYI i had to use a step bit to ream out the holes in the sheet steel so i could get them all lined up. Very surprised at how off some of the holes were. But overall happy how it came out

 

At first I also had a problem with the holes not being aligned properly. I worked from the outer edges inwards. I think since the screws drive into plastic, it barely fit. If they were metal, I doubt there would be a connection.

 

Nicely done. Waiting on mine and will mod it the same way. Thanks for a great play by play. Sub'd for future reference.

 

I too had a problem with the holes lining up. I contacted Eric, and he informed me that in all the time he had been making and selling these that he had not heard of this problem. To quote: "We have sold well over 100 of these in the past year alone and I have not heard of anyone with an issue on fitment with them like what you're having"

Here's three people (thus far) who have had this problem, just in this thread.

I'll leave it at that. I was not impressed with the product, felt I shouldn't have to modify it to get it to fit, and will spend any future money with other vendors.

 

The holes on mine did not line up perfect but they all worked without drilling out any of them.

 

mine were slightly misaligned but not enough to do anything but bother my complusion

 

x2, What is this for?

 

Yes, surprisingly weak.

 

You were the first to contact me, and still only person to directly contact me regarding an issue.
Now that I see more customers are having them not line up perfectly I will revisit the hole layout and update accordingly before manufacturing more

 

Thanks for the write up!

 

Good write up

 

Wasn't the hole alignment problem solved when those two extra hex screws along the top of the tailgate were removed prior to the reinforcement installation?

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/gr...e-reinforcement-group-buy-18.html#post9401743

 

I haven't had issue installing them but looks like some people are finding holes with minor misalignment. The screws go into plastic inserts in the tailgate so they still go in but not perfectly until snugged. No one in this GB should have a panel that wont fit, but perhaps a few holes that can align a bit cleaner it seems

 

I'm thiniking that before you re-engineer the holes, be sure that the installers are removing those 2 extra screws at the top of the tailgate that seem to interfere with the alignment, as mentioned here:

 

I'll double check em anyways, better to just be sure. I dont want to send anything out that may cause customers trouble on install