'18 Tacoma Tailgate is not centered when closed...anyone else?

Hi all,

As always, searched and didn't find anything so starting to worry I may be the only one...I noticed that when the tailgate is closed on my brand new '18 Limited, the gap on the left is much bigger than the gap on the right..brand new car, took delivery with 2 miles on the ODO so no conspiracy theories please hahah...is there a way to realign and center this? I'll try to post a picture tomorrow when there is light out...but I mean this gap will leak when it rain with my OEM Tonneau cover on...aside from leakage, it just doesn't look right.

Anyone else experience this and if so, how do I fix this (dealer is last resort, I like to do things myself to avoid the whole dealer hassle).

Thanks,
Jay

 

That sucks. Pictures will help a lot. But I don't have any issues on my '17 SR5. Depending on how bad it is I would just take it to the dealer. But then again I have a good deals nearby so depends on if you trust yours.

 

Just a FYI... your OEM cover will leak if the tailgate was welded shut. They are not water proof by any means. They do keep most of the water out though.

 

I am talking about my tailgate gap being an issue, not so much the leakage..see pictures

 

My 16 is like this. I just had my tailgate replaced due to someone backing into my truck, I bet you could shim the bottom where it slides into the holders. I don't remember it before the accident if mine was off or not. Mine looks exactly like yours.

 

Mine was. Dealer can adjust it. Fixed mine

 

dude they messed up on the color of your paint from left to right as well.

It's an easy dealer fix. Some trucks seem to have the bumper or tailgate not aligned properly from the factory. My cab is slightly off to one side as well; made it a royal PITA to remove my UCA bolts.

 

Did they say how it was done?

 

....I couldn't decide between quicksand and cement so I pulled an Arnold Palmer and said give me half n half...lol

 

My issue was left side stuck out too much and was not centered. All they had to do was loosen and torque to center, and adjust the latches for it sticking out too far

 

This is post tailgate replacement. Mines to the right a little like yours. I don't see it with the softopper on anymore but I was wondering about it as well

 

This is what I got to hopefully prevent that...

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/bedside-reinforcements-tie-downs-in-stock.476123/

 

Have a set on mine, squared perfectly and my tailgate it still off

 

Well, so much for that.

 

I have this same problem, the bed isn't sitting square on the rails so that the gaps at the front of the bed at the cab is different from side to side and that also widened the gap where the bumper meets the bed on one side.

I pointed it out to the knuckleheads at the dealer and they looked at me like I was crazy.....
Huh ? Wha ? Where ?
"That's normal" said they.

Ain't that big a deal really, it just fries my *ss that they pretend or can't see the imperfection in the truck you just pooped out $35K for and look at you like your crazy. At least have the decency to confer with my findings. It is pretty damn obvious when you're looking at it.

'Course looking at the sh*tbox trux they are driving they may indeed think I'm crazy !

 

Mine was the same way, and my advice to you is to just let it be. I took mine back to the dealer and they said they could adjust it no problem. They were right they adjusted it with a pry bar scratching it up. Should have left it alone is what I should have done.

 

ewwww boy..... see what I mean ?

 

I never noticed this. I'll have to check in the morning. I thought there was some play in there since the tailgate can be removed so easily. Have you tried opening it and shoving it over to the short side a little?

 

I have, it’s really stiff, hence why another user here replied the dealer used a crowbar!