Heavy Duty Tailgate Cap

Being up north I am very used to touching up power coated sliders, bumpers, etc. It's true that most off-road accessories are steel but many are offering almost as durable aluminum options - RCI skidplates being a good example.

Personally I think aluminum would be ideal for something like this.

 

Definitely.

Aluminum would the best alternative in terms of corrosion resistance.

 

I like it, but agree that I would like it to fold over the outside edge closer to OEM look. Although I understand the difficulty in manufacturing it with the curve in the tailgate; that would still be my only wishlist item.
But for a work truck I think it is a great idea just the way it is, and then with the aluminum option it is even better.

 

If it comes powder coated/rhinolined or line-x'd, I think you'd have a viable option.

 

5052 may be too soft, if I were to buy aluminum it would have to be 6061 at least.

 

5052 might be alright with a hard black anodize for the finish. 6061 would be better but, with that tight of a radius at the bend, you will have to make sure that the material grain direction is correct. Otherwise cracking can occur.

 

Black diamond plate aluminum?

 

How much would it be what would shipping cost.. I'm interested. right now my plastic one waves to people goimy down the road

 

Thanks everyone for the feedback!

We appreciate the input.

 

So, we're not quite ready to sell.

In keeping with the forum rules, still have to meet a couple requirements before this is possible.

You will see an official for sale ad with finished product photos and pricing as soon as we're there!

 

Yeah, it seems that way.

Once we are up running, that will probably happen.

 

Just completed the first run of Heavy Duty Tailgate Caps!

We're very pleased with the result! This thing is tough as nails and feels so much better than the flimsy plastic OEM piece. There is no bending and cracking of this one!

For those who don't need a super durable cap, we are considering a lighter duty aluminum version.

 

very nice !

 

So all the screw holes along the top of the tail gate are counter-sunk except for the two outer ones? There must be a reason for that.

 

Yes, there is.

The tailgate is assembled from a number of separate stamped pieces. The main rear panel and sides are separate pieces that are spot welded and seam sealed together. The threaded inserts are placed in the side panels before the tailgate is put together and the final assembled position is not 100% consistent. The main panel has oversized holes, the threaded inserts just land somewhere within those 2 oversized holes.

This makes it impossible to predict the exact location of the bolt hole across all Tundra tailgates. Countersinking requires precise hole location.

In our design, there are still 7 other fasteners holding the tailgate cap on, so you could very easily leave those 2 out if desired.

 

Id be interested in the HD version. As long as the thickness doesnt interfere with tonneau or cap seal

 

Thanks for explaining that!

 

Shouldn't at all.

It is completely flush with the bedside caps.

 

No problem!

You can absolutely leave the 2 outermost screws off if you want it totally flush.

The factory tailgate cap is only held on by 4 plastic push clips, so it is loose and rattles.

This HD cap has 9 fasteners to lock it down and evenly distribute any load. No drilling required though, it is 100% bolt on & off.

 

I like this idea..will there be side caps aswell?

 

Lots of thought put into this, albeit seeming very simple. Very cool. Thanks for explaining. Looks like a great product

 

I can understand the 2nd reason for sure; but I'm thinking (and I could be wrong so don't shoot me if I am LOL) that the majority of people who would be interested in this probably haul wood or the like hanging over the tailgate. If nothing else, it'd be nice to have as an option.

 

I'm really intersted, but I have a bed cap. Would this require adjustments to ensure the glass of the bed cap closes without issue?

 

I wouldn’t think so, can you post a photo of where it contacts the tailgate?

 

It shouldn’t. It’s completely flush with the bedsides.

 

Very nice piece, and looks like something that would be a great fit for someone who actually uses their truck to haul and do work.

 

Years ago when I had access to a brake, I made a tailgate cap for my Chevy.
It was 3/16" aluminum and had 2 bends in it so it wrapped over the inside and outside edge about an inch.
The Chevy tailgate was straight... so wasnt an issue but I can see how the curved Tundra tailgate may be an issue trying to bend a curve into plate to match it.

 

Yeah, definitely not a cheap or easy feature to integrate.

People are telling me, just put a bend on the end. They don't even realize that their tailgates are curved.

 

Yeah I almost think the only way to pull that off is to have dies made and stamp it out in a big press... then you still have the issue of it rubbing on the paint... and you know damn well someone will be bitching about that in no time.