Tailgate meets rear bumper problem

Hey guys im not sure if this is in the right section so if someone could let me know if it isnt. Heres my problem..i was told this is a common problem, the left bottom side of my bottom is scratching against the rear bumper when i put the tailgate down. i was told there was some kind of rubber that you could buy on ebay for my 03 prerunner v6 but i couldnt find it. If anyone knows of a solution please post on here or PM me!!! Below i attached a picture of the right side (no damage) and a picture of the left side (damaged)

**sorry i dont know why the pictures are flipped upside down.

 

Only thing I could think to do is adjust the bumper. It's got four bolts that secure it to the frame. Loosen them up and try adjusting it

 

^ this...

or the cables are stretched some
and letting the gate touch.

put any serious weight on the Tgate lately ?

 

^ nah i havent really put any serious weight on it..i barely put the tailgate down..ill try undoing the screws and readjusting!

 

Mine was rubbing not as bad but I loosened the bolts and adjusted it down.

 

My dad had that problem on his 02..not sure what the dealer did, but it was free!

 

is your plastic cover loose? they're attached by little clips that break easy and if its not secured down it can pop up and rub the tailgate when you put it down.

My truck had the rubber strip you're looking for and I took it off a few months ago when I ditched my bumper.. If I still have it I'll send it to you free, just cover the flat-rate shipping on it. You can use double sided tape or silicone to stick it on.

 

I'll bet it's the support cables. when I bought my '00 one was already snapped (how you snap a braided metal rope is beyond me) and I replaced just the one. now the old one is extremely stretched and holds a majority of the weight while the newer one is quite lax and doesn't hold much weight. so I tell my fat friends to sit on the driver side to balance it out
while neither touch the bumper yet, I could see where two stretched cords would allow it

 

Sure ill take you up on that offer! i just dont want to damage it anymore

 

If anyone needs cables just let me know. I'll take any reasonable offer. I thought mine were stetched so bought new ones and still had the same problem. I have the old ones in good codition off my 07. My tailgate is extremely close to my T.A.G. bumper.