Plastic bed rail cap removal

Plastic bed rail caps, how are they attached and how are are they removed?

 

It’s just plastic clips, like most of the plastic trim on these trucks, yank on it. It comes up pretty easily. But if you mess it up, you never heard it from me.

 

Good video on YouTube that shows removal of the oem hard cover, and installing it on another Tacoma. They do pull off pretty easy, start from the back and work your up to the front.

 

Watch the temperature. Colder easier to break

 

Hey! Thanks for the insight. Warmer the weather make good advice!

 

The clips get more brittle with time (i.e., older truck). More flexible when the truck is new and/or the weather is warmer.

Most people pull the rail caps off straight up, and it works. But it's not unknown for some of the clips to break. A few broken clips shouldn't make much difference. But some of us are anal and it would bother us to have broken clips.

The clips have barb-like ends that "grab" the sheet metal holes. When I removed my rail caps, I inserted a thin, flexible spatula between the cap and the fender (from the outside of the bed) and pushed the clips inwardly while pulling the cap up. If you release the end clips this way, the middle ones should come out more easily, without needing to be released. Use the spatula to probe and find the clips.

 

Can you see or access the clips from below? Like if you were laying flat in the truck bed, looking up under the rails.

 

Sorry, must ask why you are removing the caps; I imagine you are wanting to seal them up, but you may have other reasons. Posts 6 & 7 so far have given the best advice; I broke some clips when removing mine, but with the sealant I added I don't think it matters and the subsequently added shell holds all in place. When you get one off, please take a look though the swiss cheese holes and see if you can see any sealant between the top lip of the composite bed and the underside of the metal fender. That is where my remaining leak is coming from.

 

With great difficulty, and only the ones at the rear end. I found it much easier to probe with a spatula, as explained above. Anyway my arms are too short to reach up and unclip from below.

I did it to seal under the caps, in preparation for installing a camper shell. If your bed is open to the elements, there's no point in sealing it.

 

It would seem so. BUT I will prevail eventually!

 

To answer why I wish to remove the caps. Sealing under the caps is certainly one reason and the other is to level up the caps to accept a canopy. On my new 2022 Sport the forward left side of the front cap is about 3/16” higher than the left box cap. The right side of this front cap is level with the right box cap. I removed the front rail and inspected and found that there is no adjustment to lower the cap! So the only way to level up is to raise the left box cap with material under the plastic rail caps! Any one out there experience similar issues?

 

I have not seen them at different heights left to right. One thing that I did to level out the front rail was to remove the foam tape from the bottom. It gave a slightly noticeable difference once reinstalled using RTV to keep it sealed.

 

The foam tape is maybe 1/32” thick at best when compressed. Ya, having the left side higher is a pain! I’m finding design flaws through out this truck that are bothersome! Lazy designers/ manufactures. The entire bed is a “plastic”composition. Drop in a heavy log on edge and bang you have a fracture! No gas tank shielding on my Sport! Crazy!! My 2004 SR5 was better protected than this Sport. Drive line universals do not have grease points! Toyota seems to have gone to a minimal quality build and is relying on the owners to improve the various issues that are apparent! I could go on but hey… I m going to have to improve this truck so I’ll fall in love with it! I do enjoy the Manuel shift but the reverse gearing is way to high!! Again what the #*#ck we’re the engenders thinking when they put together this trans!! Having access to low range without 4wheel would be a fix! Toyota should provide the fix for this…..! Ok I’m through!

 

Well, that was a rant.

Removing the tape made me happier. That's all that I saying.


Otherwise, I have enjoyed the carefree durability of the composite bed that has been around since 2005. I have scraped my fuel tank out wheeling with no serious issues, but recently added a take off OR skid. NBD. The tank itself is quite thick, I am told.


BTW, I've had 2Lo for a couple years. It's a treat.

 

Can you tell me how you access 2Lo without engaging 4w?

 

Here you go:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...y-2wd-low-range-for-the-3rd-gen-tacoma.614743

 

FYI - The composite bed is not plastic it is an epoxy composite ( think like a fiberglass boat hull but stronger ) it does not dent or scratch as easily as a metal bed shell. If you do happen to scratch it - it will not rust and if you happen to damage it you can easily DIY patch it. Your U joints do not need grease zirks because they are a sealed u joint which is superior to greaseable joints that let crap in and require regular maintenance

 

For those that question why you want want to change these out.... I was sawing some wood, braced by my lowered tail gate and got a bit to close. Some minor chew marks on the tailgate cap. I want to replace it for cosmetic reasons although it really doesn't look too bad., I have the part number and cost from Toyota. The cost is reasonable, I'm just waiting for spring/short sleeve weather to tackle the little project.

 

This is for a turd gen, but probably close.

 

To you all that have commented on my post… thank you for your option and suggestions. Such a giving community!
Moes