Sport Rear Bumper Question

So, after 3 weeks of ownership I haven't even paid attention but my wife noticed something today. There is a huge gap where the bumper meets the bedside on the driver's side. Actually a 1/2" difference in gap from the passenger side. I can't see any signs of damage anywhere so I know it hasn't been wrecked. So I called the dealer and they told me all the double cab Sports with painted bumpers are like this? I called bullshit on that, but I honestly don't know. so, how bout it guys? are yall's like this?

 

Can you post more bumper pics? I'm starting to see the gap difference, but I want to make sure.

 

those are the only 2 pics I have. it uploaded the same ones a bunch of times but I edited it...

 

I saw some people have problem with bed alignment on TW and most of them was take care by dealership so I guess you should bring it to dealer and they supposed to fix it under warranty

 

Check out this thread.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/2018-tacoma-bumper-alignment.538822/

I think it's a common problem on the new Tacomas.

 

Is the bed aligned with the cab?

 

My Tacoma looked exactly like that. Turned out to be an easy fix by the dealers body shop, they just loosened the bed bolts and was done in 15 minutes while I waited.

Good luck

 

hmm, I really thought the dealer was full of shit. maybe not. so, can I fix it myself? I am guessing there are some youtube videos?

 

I actually measured it this morning and it is not. it is almost a 1/2" off which should make up the gap in the bumper. is it really as simple as loosening the 6 T55 bolts in the bed and moving it? just curious before I attempt it myself.

 

Yes, I just did mine this weekend. 2017 DCSB Sport with 5k miles on it. Bed was shifted 2 full inches to the driver's side. It was super obvious once i noticed it and had my toolbox in. So much better fixed. Took me ten mins with a T55 and a few measurements off the frame rails and cab.

Pathetic for a car company in 2017 to not have that correct.

 

They are all like that to some degree, it's the way Toyota assembles the truck. Bumper gets bolted onto the frame and then the bed gets bolted to the frame. They don't bother to adjust the gaps of the bed to the cab or the bed to the bumper. Saves them time and money to compete in a tight market. This ain't your daddy's Tacoma that was made in Japan under a microscope!

 

You would think they could have some tapered fitting that centered it all as it was bolted down. would be just as fast and would make everything true. Just bizarre we have to unbolt our beds and fix something you would expect to be correct on a 2017 vehicle. All good though, easy fix.

 

Yup, It would be very easy to add a stop or indexing mark to align things up but they are cutting corners.

 

It bothered me and then once i loosened the bolts and realized how simple it is to fix i totally stopped caring. Actually could be a good thing we can tweak it!

 

The bed is easy to adjust, the bumper is harder as you have to take stuff off to get to the bolts to adjust it.

 

From what I read on other threads, it is just as simple as loosening the bed bolts an aligning it with the cab and bumper.

 

so I don't need any special tools besides a 1/2" drive ratchet and a T55 bit and I can do it myself? I don't need a proper torque wrench or anything?

 

My dealer told me it was due to hauling a heavy trailer? WTF, I hauled a VMI trailer on a gravel road into the woods. said there was no room to adjust it. Morons.

It bothers me, but my kickass rear bumper goes on in two days, that one we will align properly!!

 

Does your tail gate have a gap that's also uneven when it's closed where the bed meets the tailgate like mine? (Same car, different angle so different lighting)

 

If your bed looks good, your bumper can be aligned, also. My dealer said it wasn’t possible. I aligned mine in my driveway. Took about an hour. There are several threads on here if you search. Here is one. Good luck.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/oem-rear-bumper-alignment.506232/

Another. https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/16-tacoma-bumper-cap-removal.404082/page-5#post-13263852