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Sealing The tundra bed for camper shells

Discussion in '2.5 Gen Tundras (2014-2021)' started by PeakIT, May 10, 2020.

  1. May 10, 2020 at 8:48 AM
    #1
    PeakIT

    PeakIT [OP] Old Member

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    Coachbuilder 3” shackles, King extended travel, SPC upper arms, 5:29 gears, FN FX rims,35"tires, leer shell, grill
    I use the back of my truck to camp in. But any dusty road pretty much covers everything in sand. How are you guys sealing the tailgate sides ETC.

    F97799A0-EE0C-4DC4-8C3B-1107AA53FDFF.jpg
    4225E737-0EEB-4B3A-BBB8-41F34A6D0701.jpg
     
  2. May 10, 2020 at 8:56 AM
    #2
    mountainpete

    mountainpete Explore more

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    Function before sparkle.
    From my experience, a standard tailgate seal that you get at a local truck store doesn’t work well. I get water in the sides.
     
  3. May 10, 2020 at 8:57 AM
    #3
    15whtrd

    15whtrd Mr. Blonde

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    TRD Pro suspension, +2 Coachbuilder shackles, 2015 TRD Pro headlights, 20% ceramic tinted windows, clear ceramic tinted front windshield, aFe drop in pro s dry air filter, TRD airflow accelerator, TRD oil fill cap, TRD 18 psi radiator cap, BDX Bullydog tuner, Weathertech floor mats front and rear, rear seat fold down mod, DNA hard trifold tonneau cover, Linex with uv protection, TRD rear swaybar, TRD center caps, TRD Pro grille insert with color matching surround and bulge, TRD PRO headlights, aluminum oil filter canister, Real truck tailgate seal, Pop-n-lock tailgate lock actuator, rear diff breather relocate, RCI front skid plate. 275/70 R18 BFG KO2s
    They make tailgate seals. But none of them are really one hundred percent. You have to get creative. Use a tailgate seal kit and maybe some other material that you have to add to it. The kits usually go on the bed itself and the tailgate presses against it. But on the upper portions there is a gap still. You need to add more seal on the tailgate itself.67CF0B61-4B8E-4810-92CB-03FA81EDE364.jpgD4E862E4-698D-4974-A11A-41310B11E372.jpg Here’s mine. See I got creative with some extra weatherstrip I had lying around. It’s still not 100% because of the design of the tailgate jam. There’s also drain holes in your bed at the base of the bulkhead that allow dust in. As well as the upper portion of the bulkhead where it meets the bedside leaves a small area for intrusion.
     
    Last edited: May 10, 2020
  4. May 10, 2020 at 9:21 AM
    #4
    Captainjohn

    Captainjohn New Member

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    I bought a kit off Amazon, been super happy with it. Not sure of the brand, but it was the highest rated and $. Haven’t had any dust or water issues yet, keep my black gun cases in back on the way to shooting matches with ranges on dirt roads, zero dust in truck bed.
     
  5. May 10, 2020 at 9:29 AM
    #5
    15whtrd

    15whtrd Mr. Blonde

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    TRD Pro suspension, +2 Coachbuilder shackles, 2015 TRD Pro headlights, 20% ceramic tinted windows, clear ceramic tinted front windshield, aFe drop in pro s dry air filter, TRD airflow accelerator, TRD oil fill cap, TRD 18 psi radiator cap, BDX Bullydog tuner, Weathertech floor mats front and rear, rear seat fold down mod, DNA hard trifold tonneau cover, Linex with uv protection, TRD rear swaybar, TRD center caps, TRD Pro grille insert with color matching surround and bulge, TRD PRO headlights, aluminum oil filter canister, Real truck tailgate seal, Pop-n-lock tailgate lock actuator, rear diff breather relocate, RCI front skid plate. 275/70 R18 BFG KO2s
    The best way to test is to install the seal and get inside the bed and look for daylight through any of the gaps. Also a garden hose sprayed on any of the seams.
     
    Over the LINE likes this.
  6. May 10, 2020 at 9:33 AM
    #6
    Captainjohn

    Captainjohn New Member

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    My bed has liner sprayed from factory also,so the gap is a bit less than without. I also did a real good job with installing, making sure that I had full contact with tailgate
     
  7. May 10, 2020 at 9:44 AM
    #7
    GAknight

    GAknight New Member

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    Too many…scratch that…not done yet.
    I used the Extang tailgate seal kit. It actually applies to the outer edge of the bed. I found that after one hunting season (which is when I open and close the tailgate the most), the lower piece started to come loose. I then put a piece of the white foam seal (for windows and doors) along the bottom, and it’s held up much better.
    For the camper;
    I got the flat rubber seal (about 1/8” thick) from AutoZone.
    I didn’t want to apply any foam/seal to the tops of my bedsides so;
    I actually flipped my camper over on it’s top (with the help of some family) and applied the seal to the underside of the camper. The seal I used is about 1 1/2” wide, so I ran two strips to cover the entire part that sits on the bed sides. If memory serves, I think I only needed one strip across the top.
    No water or dust. Been on since last fall.
     
  8. May 10, 2020 at 10:09 AM
    #8
    PeakIT

    PeakIT [OP] Old Member

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    Coachbuilder 3” shackles, King extended travel, SPC upper arms, 5:29 gears, FN FX rims,35"tires, leer shell, grill
    The sides of the tailgate look like the biggest gaps. I can see like and inch of light coming thru them while driving.
     
    15whtrd likes this.
  9. May 10, 2020 at 11:22 AM
    #9
    Tundra9831

    Tundra9831 New Member

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    Good idea for a tailgate handle. I haven't tried closing the tailgate from inside with my new topper, but this looks like a valuable addition.
     
  10. May 10, 2020 at 12:08 PM
    #10
    PeakIT

    PeakIT [OP] Old Member

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    Coachbuilder 3” shackles, King extended travel, SPC upper arms, 5:29 gears, FN FX rims,35"tires, leer shell, grill
    Yea its hard and I’m tall i have to toe hook the shell and lean way out to get the gate to close from the inside
     
  11. May 10, 2020 at 5:43 PM
    #11
    HulkSmurf14

    HulkSmurf14 ...Weighted Average...

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    Tastefully enhanced...
    Just sealed mine up...no light shining thru...easy to figure out...the moisture and dust is sure to be slowed now! Thanks for everyone's suggestions!

    20200510_184045.jpg
    20200510_184053.jpg
    20200510_184108.jpg
     
    Joe333x, TTund16, PeakIT[OP] and 2 others like this.
  12. May 10, 2020 at 8:58 PM
    #12
    mofferman

    mofferman New Member

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    HulkSmurf14, Ely010606 and 15whtrd like this.
  13. May 10, 2020 at 10:11 PM
    #13
    Ely010606

    Ely010606 New Member

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    That looks pretty sealed to me. Nice job.
     
    HulkSmurf14[QUOTED] likes this.
  14. May 12, 2020 at 3:26 PM
    #14
    Captainjohn

    Captainjohn New Member

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    Yup, that’s the same product I used from Amazon, very please with results!
     
    HulkSmurf14 likes this.
  15. May 12, 2020 at 3:31 PM
    #15
    HulkSmurf14

    HulkSmurf14 ...Weighted Average...

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    Tastefully enhanced...
    It's a good foam for sure! I purchased mine at Lowe's for about $8...
     
  16. Jul 3, 2020 at 12:58 PM
    #16
    DavidinPhx

    DavidinPhx New Member

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    Tacoma’s have a real problem with dust/water coming through UNDER The plastic bedside caps due to the voids/holes in the top “rim” of the bedside covered up by the cap.

    Do Tundras experience this? I’m contemplating a Tundra plus popup shell and wondering if I need to pull off the caps a seal underneath?
     
  17. Jul 4, 2020 at 11:28 PM
    #17
    HulkSmurf14

    HulkSmurf14 ...Weighted Average...

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    It would be peace of mind, but I'm happy with the level of "sealed" I'm experiencing currently...
     
  18. Jul 5, 2020 at 12:59 AM
    #18
    TTund16

    TTund16 New Member

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    Tailgate seal.
     
  19. Jul 5, 2020 at 6:58 AM
    #19
    Snowcat4360

    Snowcat4360 New Member

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    Yes they do. I have a lot of dust on my interior bed rails. Need to pull the tipper and seal the bed caps.
     
  20. Jul 24, 2020 at 8:19 AM
    #20
    DavidinPhx

    DavidinPhx New Member

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    Any feedback on how you sealed the caps? KB Voodoo makes nice, flat aluminum cap replacements for Tacoma’s that a lot of guys with Drifter pop ups seal underneath and use, but the don’t make em for Tundras. I’m looking to get a Tundra for a camper shell so trying to figure out ahead of time. Did you remove the caps, seal and just replace the caps?
     
  21. Jul 24, 2020 at 8:58 AM
    #21
    Snowcat4360

    Snowcat4360 New Member

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    I have not done mine yet, but my topper guy said to lift the topper than use silicone under the plastic caps on the interior edge.
     
    HulkSmurf14 likes this.
  22. Jul 24, 2020 at 1:45 PM
    #22
    Stig

    Stig New Member

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    Sequoia.
     
  23. Jul 24, 2020 at 2:13 PM
    #23
    kevine0001

    kevine0001 New Member

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    I used the weatherstrip tape also, like 1" wide, and about 1/2" thick. Works for dust but haven't tested it with water. It does work for rain.
     
    15whtrd[QUOTED] likes this.
  24. Jul 24, 2020 at 2:20 PM
    #24
    ezdog

    ezdog New Member

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    I have found that I need real rubber to get it sealed correctly the cheaper foam does not do the job that well.
    They sell the good stuff at Advance Auto Parts much to my surprise but if you have a Body Shop Supplier where you are you can get the same rubber for a lot less money too.

    I like the stuff that is 2" wide and has 2 adhesive strips on it this covers more of the rail to top edge and seems to just seal better every time for me.
    It is also important to look at the cab end which on the 3ed gen is rounded for some reason and tougher to get a good lasting seal on and this is where I might use Silicone from a tube to enhance adhesion on the round surface.

    Especially crucial seems to be that the thickness of whatever you use equal the same overall edge under the front and sides or the corners in front will leak every time.

    I have even used a seperate set of clamps along the cab edge to make sure that the weird round edge makes a decent seal.

    At the tailgate you just have to play around with it,again the real rubber seals until you get it sealed well enough but luckily I have no tailgate and the French Doors are a lot easier to get sealed tight for sure!
     
    15whtrd likes this.

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