truck bed replaced but not leveled in front.

Greetings, I own a 2017 Tacoma with 5-1/2 bed. The bed had been replaced after the original had been damaged. The problem is that bed is lower in the front than the rear. This became evident when I installed a camper shell, giving the vehicle a noticeable v shape where the bed meets the cab. Obviously, spacers were not installed in the front when the bed was replaced. I need advice as to where I can find the correct front box spacers/insulators for this vehicle or if I can improvise with some other material or devices. Also need some advice on installation to remedy the height difference without removing the bed entirely.

Notice the disalignment where the bed meets the cab. The space is narrower at the top. It should be an even match from top to bottom. There is a "v" in the overall alignment indicating the need to raise the bed in the front.

 

Why not bring it back to who ever did the work.

We gotta see this.

 

Unfortunately, I have no information on who did the work on replacing the box. I happened to notice the forward downward angle in the front when we installed a camper shell. Will try to add photos later. Thanks

 

Photos added with comment. Thanks for your guidance and prompts

 

Damaged? As in wrecked from rear?

 

What do you mean? Did your insurance company just abduct your truck and then give it back to you? That seems strange. They should absolutely tell you what shop did the work

 

Yes, it was a salvage vehicle which had been hit in the rear and the entire bed replaced presumably from a similar vehicle. I bought it from a third party who had no information on the reconstruction.

 

Ruh-roh… I smell frame damage.

 

Somethings off or bent. Thats more than a spacer issue. I bet the frame is bent from a hard rear end Collison. You could MAYBE try and add a spacer but then the rear of the bed won't sit properly on the frame. You would need like a 1 inch spacer or more to get that level.

The gap from the bottom of the tail light to the bumper seems way to big as well. I think your frame is fucked.

 

Oof. That's a pretty major piece of missing info. Maybe you can level it but with probable frame damage you're really rolling the dice OP.

I would take it to a reputable shop that you trust and get it up on a lift for a full inspection. Your entire rear suspension and drive shaft could be held together with duct tape and bubble gum. Any idea if the airbags deploped?

I hope you got it for cheap

Edit: also your "3rd party" sellar can absolutely get the info. All they have to do is contact whoever they bought it from and ask. Sounds super shady IMO

 

They did a piss poor job. Might want to take it by a body shop for reassessment.

 

i imagine the frame is bent and that is why it was a salvage title. 30k seems a bit steep but if you're happy then why not.

 

I’m with everyone, you probably have frame issues.

 

As has been said get it on the lift and have a peek. Whomever put the box on may have put shims for the front in the back. If you have no recourse shim the box and drive it. I hope you bought it for a good price...

 

Thanks for all your responses. I'm not a body man so I really can't comment on the possibility of a bent frame. However, I spent a half an hour under vehicle and didn't see anything obvious that would indicate a bent or damaged frame. I did note that the box is attached to the frame with six bolts. There were no shims or dampers between the box and the frame at any of the six mounting points. I will probably resolve this by acquiring 1 inch deep shims for the front two mountings, reducing to 1/2 - to 1/4 inch for the 2nd set of bolts at the rear and 1/8 inch for the one at the tail-end. I have to measure the mounting bolts and possibly replace them with bolts with longer ones to fit the limited mounting space on the frame and accommodate the extra inch of space for the two forward mounts. Any advice of where I could order some round hard rubber or other composite shims would be helpful. They could need to be round, about two inches in diameter with bolt holes in the middle. I know there is always liabilities in purchasing salvage title vehicles but she only had 30k when purchased and runs as sweet as could be, 27- 28 mpg per gallon on average. I really enjoy driving the truck Thanks again Tacoma owners, your advice and comments appreciated. ​

 

is the bed contacting the pressure vents on the back of the cab?