Anyone have pics of First Gens with a Net Tailgate?

Thinking of replacing my tailgate with a net so I can shave some weight of the truck!

The front bumper+Winch+Bed Rack+New tires are killing my power, plus I don't really use the Tailgate. I will be removing the bed rack to shave some pounds. I tried google images but not much came up.

Thanks!

*Bonus Pic I just took of the truck on a Sunny SD Day!

 

Found these:



Bonus points for sticking the letters on:

 

You don't seem to be setting your truck up for maximum gas mileage but
I think it cuts gas mileage when the tailgate is down (or gone)...

-Mike

 

Yes, with the tailgate down or a net tailgate you will get WORSE gas milage. Another thing to consider if you aren't concerned about milage is the added stress on your bedsides. Without the tailgate they will flex a lot more, and you can end up with with cracks in your bed. I know a few guys that had that happen, albeit not with Tacomas, when they ran without tailgates for an extended period.

 

this is interesting, I always thought you would get better mileage without tailgate (or using net) due to less aerodynamic drag? its like a whirlwind sometimes back there on the freeway,

 

And I don't think 'bed stiffeners' for 1st gens are even commercially available. But it wouldn't take much to fab some up. Your current bed rack rear bar may suffice.
No experience with the running without tailgate in my 1st gen (98), but I did back when I had an '81 4x4. That truck had bed stiffeners. (Downey product IIRC)
As for reduced/improved gas mileage, probably won't matter much for your truck. I think it was 'Mythbusters' tested this and felt that leaving the tailgate on resulted in better MPG - Take that for what it's worth...

http://www.discovery.com/tv-shows/m...s-database/driving-tailgate-fuel-consumption/

 

i suppose an engineer would know if that is fact or not tempted to take mine off for some trial and error on long road trip

 

I think Mythbusters did an episode on the tailgate up vs. down fuel mileage.

 

Yea, lots of people think the same thing. The main reason most of the people with nets have them. With the tailgate up it creates an air bubble that helps aerodynamics. In addition to the Mythbusters test, car manufacturers agree. They specifically designed the trucks to get the optimum mileage with the tailgate up, and they do.

 

I suppose you can tell Who or whom thinks this when you see a tailgate riddled with rock chips lol

would a removable tonneau cover work better to improve mpg?

 

I don't know, but this article claims GM says they help a little.

 

You might save weight,

^^^ This.

People who hypermile Tacomas (or any pickup) are funny. I even laugh at people who hyper mile their Prius. But when you try to hypermile a lifted truck with E rated 33" mud terrains, a winch, steel bumpers, rock sliders, bed rack, roof top tent, etc... that's good for a chuckle, too. If you're worried about MPGs, you're in the wrong hobby, lol

That said, with the OP's bed rack on there, that's going to screw up the aerodynamics of the bed anyway, so all bets are off with the net thing, but I'm still betting you'd be better off leaving the tailgate on and up.

But with the OP's rig setup, you'd get FAR better gas mileage by just slowing down 3 or 4 mph...

 

Going back and re-reading the first post, the OP never mentions milage, just lack of power. I don't think loosing the weight of the tailgate and bed rack will make an appreciable difference. Maybe time to think about regearing or something.

 

I feel like the tailgate/rack removal is going to make about about as much difference in power as a drop of water does to the ocean levels.

 

Yep, and that whirlwind is actually what makes the aerodynamics better with the gate UP.

As the air moves over the cab, it drops into the bed and creates that low pressure zone, the blue in the pic below. It swirls around and creates kind of a "shell" for which the rest of the air can flow smoothly past.

Put the tail gate down, or use a net, and that swirl never happens and you just create a bunch of turbulent air (drag) back there.




Here's a great illustration of the drag induced from the tailgate being down.
Smooth = laminar flow = less drag ------------ chaotic = non-laminar = more drag

 

Haha, of course not, I was just toying with the idea of weight reduction, I'm not even that concerned about the MPG's, just maybe shave some pounds to recover some added weight, plus I think it MIGHT look cool when I add a rear plate bumper.

That's so Interesting, thanks for that!

Gate will stay there for sure then, this car won't be my daily commuter anyways, just my weekend/camping toy.

Thanks everyone for the replies!

 

Oh I could definitely feel the car different when I added the Rack, it feels less nimble, may have to do with center of gravity/aerodynamics, not so much the weight.

Will be removing the rack anyways, I am not in love with the looks and I have only used it once on my last 3 camping trips. I can always mount it whenever I need the extra cargo space.