Who Else’s Tailgate Soft Open has Blown Up?

according to the dealer it is covered under warranty.

which is almost the only reason I’m waiting for them to fix. That… and the damaged paint.

 

I have a 2016 TRD Off Road, with 65K miles on it, about 15K now of rough off road usage.

I've used the tailgate pretty much every day as I am retired and use the truck off road a few times per week. So either loading, or unloading most of the week, plus many times per day on each trip. I am not gentle with my truck either, it takes a beating.

I assume it will break soon as that part looks pretty fragile. It may have something to do with climate. I do live in a hot dry climate, but if you are in a hotter and dryer spot like CA or NV or such, it may wear out sooner?

 

That looks different (because it's broken) from my set-up and I have a 2021 Sport.

Do you have a need to remove your tailgate to transport things?

Sorry that happened to you!



I bought the SaBellCo so my tailgate is secured to the pivot point.

 

And that cost $109.95. Glad you have the money to do mods like that.


https://sabellco.com/store/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=68

 

My son’s 2016 tailgate also broke . The early years of the 2016 ,those hinge parts are NO longer made, had to order from another Tacoma owner who sell the 3-D copies.
Toyota can replace the whole hinge to fit the parts in stock to day, just need all the parts, I think you also need to removed the bumper to get to the bolts. The hinges were made bigger on the later years of the 2016 Tacoma.
We purchase spares. It is just a plastic made. Looks like this will become a common problem. Another bad Toyota design. “ Toyota going cheap.” My 1999 ford ranger only once the hinge cable broke. My son didn’t last two years. Maybe because he uses the tailgate every weekend?

I guess Toyota will tell you not to open the tailgates? Haha.

 

It's a cheap consumable part AFAIK

IMO winter freeze/thaw really hammers that little crap plastic bushing.

 

Toyota parts department need to make money. If the parts are made to last a long time? No profits.

Actual every business if the products are to well made? Repeat business sales will decline. I still remember when refrigerators , washing machine , power tools, lasted for 10-20 + years. Not today, engineer’s design products to last 5 years or less. All about sales and profits.

I still have my Dads handsaws, they do not make them this way anymore. From the 60’s. Very thin blades and very flexible.

 

I'm 56 now...retired military and still doing the work gig.

This site is very helpful with a variety of mods. I'm glad I have the funds to do this mod too!

 

Before you by theses tailgate locks? Please consider the remote power tailgate locks. Toyota factory power locks cost $160.

 

I have that too! As well as the bed lights and bed mat. Duh, the mat is in the photo I provided. lol

 

I'm a poor bastard. I just use my key and lock my tailgate.

I'm more worried about someone stealing my cats than my tailgate though. I can drive my truck without the tailgate but not missing the cats.

 

It's cool to be thrifty...no bad comment from me!

One of my first mods: the Talon CAT before they had winglet cutouts. That plastic piece on the frame is for draining purposes (I have read here).

 

Mine fell apart last night. Tailgate popped out and damaged the lower right corner. Bushing is broke in half, soft closing hinge doesn't work. Called the dealer this AM for an appt to check it out. Hopefully they cover the damage. I have ECP warranty for 5 years. And I just had the tailgate painted a month ago.

Funny. I too thought it dropped like the tailgate on my buddy's Ford. That thing nearly broke my hand on the way down. Too used to the slow closure I guess.

 

My dealer said that the paint damage was not warrantable.

Total BS. I will paint it myself at a body shop at my own expense. Pretty frustrated.
Hope you have far better service than I.

 

might hit that plastic with some aerospace 303 to protect it from the elements

 

Are people really so weak that they can't lower a tailgate without assistance?

 

It's just an awsome thing to have, kinda like big tires, light bars, fabbed thingy ma bobbers and the list goes to infinity and beyond, these things are nice, nice to have.
Cheers my friends

 

Agreed that it’s a nice thing to have. Just build it to last?! A little more metal and maybe it would?
I’m not lazy… but like a motorized seat… it is a nice to have.

 

My kits are built strong and use The Toyota OEM 3rd gen dampener and dampener bracket , I've sold dozens of them and I've never heard of any problems with them. "3rd gen to 2nd gen assist "

 

Update. Dealer will cover parts under warranty. Said they're replaing the tailgate hinge, maybe the entire assembly - not sure, I stopped listening when they told me they won't cover the body damage because it's past the 3 yr / 60K KM paint warranty period. I called BS and asked to speak with the service manager. I asked him WTF as politely as possible. He came as close to agreeing with me without actually saying so. He sent me to their body shop for a repair estimate and will send to Toyota Canada. It might not go anywhere but it's worth trying. At least I'll have a service ticket or case opened with Toyota Canada if needed.