Who Else’s Tailgate Soft Open has Blown Up?

So my 2021DCSB Off Road has been awesome to me.

Until.. the other day, when I open the tailgate, let go… and it DROPPED down BANG! As if it was an ‘87 Ford F-250.

I had no idea what was wrong. But it kept doing it.

Then I saw this -



In speaking with two Toyota Dealers in my area. This soft open hinge on the tailgate is a common failure.

When fully disintegrates… the tailgate falls out upon closing. Subsequently, when you try to grab it awkwardly and not pinch your fingers underneath, you then chip up the paint at the upper corner on the opposing side.

Curious if anyone else has dealt with this?

 

Never seen this. I bent up the quarter panel and had the tailgate literally fall off, but the soft open was still intact and works just fine. Not sure how this would happen under normal circumstances.

 

Doesn't sound like a common failure at all.

 

Yes, it has happened before.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/broken-tailgate-damper-rubber-grommet.467984/

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/2016-tailgate-problem.459625/

 

I posted a thread not too long ago i have a 21 and ive replaced the bushing twice already i have a few more spares in the glove box trucks not abused

 

This happened alot on earlier third gens, they redesigned the part so it happens alot less on newer models.

 

Turd Gen Tacoma. Think it is earning its name. Hey at-least the frame will not rust out, hopefully

 

Do you have a part number?

 

You’re pretty late to the party there bud

 

Mine is definitely on the way out. Thanks for posting and for the links. I'll see how much mine are worn down. Would like to be able pick up some replacements if an easy fix.

 

Will using the tailgate after those bushings fail do any damage to the truck? It would not inconvenience me in the least to hold on to the tailgate and lower it like my old Ford trucks from the past.

 

66143-04021 they are like 3-4 bucks like I said I have 2 spares in the glove box

 

Yes there is a ton of play if you were to take the broken bushing out and leave it. Someone needs to make an aluminum one

 

I'm not mechanically inclined so how do these fit? Just take the tailgate off and slip a new one on? I'll have to check my truck out in the morning when it is cooler. You got me curious now. LOL!


https://www.toyotapartsdeal.com/oem/toyota~hinge~side~gate~sup~66143-04021.html

 

Mine went this summer. Nice replacement video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOdBHPOmFUI&ab_channel=CaritoTime

He literally does it with one hand while holding the camera in about 20 seconds. My experience was similar. Mine was in three pieces and I had to use a needle nose to pull them out but the new one popped in and boom, done.

 

Thank you!!

 

If I didn’t have paint damage… I’d just go get one at this point.

It’s unreal that. A dealer says they will need 2-4 hours for the replacement.

Wtf.

 

@christian06

Have any of the conversions you've provided for 2nd Gens suffered this malady?

 

This totally happens very often, I'm on my 3rd piece.
It takes a total of 3 seconds using 1 hand to swap in a new one.

Not sure how people think its so complicated??

 

My understanding is that it is every 3rd Gen if the tailgate is used regularly.

Not sure if that is factual. But both dealers I spoke to (one of which I fully trust) stated this pretty clearly.

I was told that the part was recently re-design and that the new parts are now being installed under warranty.
I assume you have to have the worn part before it would be warranty replaced.