Tailgate Gap

What do your tail gate gaps look like?

I’m not sure whether or not someone was trying to jam some sort of tool to open up my tailgate, but the gap on the right side is quite larger than the left side…

 

Definitely not right, mine are closer if not equal. That rub isn't likely for someone trying to shimmy the tailgate open and shifting the tailgate - that panel would fold like a piece of paper before the tailgate shifts.

Is you're bed square? A little variance is to be expected, but I suspect your driver front to passenger rear distance will be more than passenger front to driver rear. And the bed being out is why the tailgate does not fit right now

 

I’ll definitely take some measurements… but this does blow.

There is a small chip off of the tail lights… so now I’m wondering if someone was trying to get into my locked bed.

 

Did you buy it new? Mine looked exactly like this after I got rear ended by a douche sprinkler who was on his phone.

 

Brand new off the lot. I’m not sure how this could have even happened… that’s after inspecting both sides too.

 

Definitely looks like tool marks. Looks like someone was attempting to get in.

 

Is it wider at the top than the bottom on the right side? Maybe some bead spread. They make stiffeners for that. The tailgate also has some left to right wiggle room due to the way it’s mounted on cams at the bottom. Loaded anything in the back that could have rubbed that side going in?

 

Look for damage on the lower left side hinge

 

Absolutely not right. Someone jacked your sh#t up. I know my body shop guy told me the tailgate can't be straightened, actually they can buy the labor involved is 2x the cost of a new tailgate. Sorry dude

 

Flat blade screwdriver marks?

 

God dammit. I’ll go outside and check again tomorrow for any damage to either sides.

Would there be a chance of even adjusting the side to side clearance? The left looks like it’s about to smash right into the tail light..

 

I agree with the others here that it certainly looks like someone tried to get into your bed VIA the tailgate. If it were mine, I would pull the gate off and see if you can see any difference side to side, and adjust anything that looks to be slightly bent. Good luck.

 

The plastic inserts inside the hinges tend to break after awhile, especially once your strut goes out and your tailgate slams down harder. The inserts are on both sides, but the driver side it the one that breaks most often.

 

I installed an antitheft thing on my 2014 tailgate a few months ago.
The gap on the right is certainly bigger than the gap on the left on my truck.

But I'll agree with others, looks like you've got some kind of tooling/prying marks on yours.

 

Mine is the same! I pushed it out with my legs. It’s better but not even. I bought it brand new.

 

Mine is the same but on the driver side instead. Doesn't really bother me. I just don't think about it. I'll post some pics tomorrow. Bought the truck brand new also!

 

Doesn’t look to have any other damage aside from the tool marks that were pointed out.

If you hold onto the tail gate and tug it to the right side, close it, you should get a bit more clearance. I’m guessing it’ll shift side to side, but shouldn’t completely touch either side.

 

I will try that tomorrow and see if I can move it around

 

The back of my truck is the same. I bought it new.

 

Mine actually does this too. But only if I close from the center. If I close it with my hand on the right side of the tailgate then it closes and both gaps are equal.

 

Crap! You guys are going to make my OCD ass go and look at my tailgate and check my tailgate gap! Something I never thought about before right now!

 

Made ya look, lol. Now our OCD is going to get the best of us.

 

Don't even think about going checking the clearance on the headlights. All over the place.

 

Same with mine. Brought it back twice. I finally was able to talk to a tech the second time. He suggested using a heavy duty zip tie on the left side to open the gap more. He unhooked the tailgate and showed me the play Thats in it. Basically said all are like that. They had 3 21s on the lot and they were exactly like mine; larger gap on the right side. I also had the tailgate issue where when closed, it didn’t looked like it closed all the way. They sent my truck out to have the Berliner sprayed before I picked it up. Come to find out, the aftermarket Berliner is thicker than the Toyota Berliner. He suggested filing down the rubber stops to get the tailgate in better alignment.

I have had multiple Toyotas without any build issues. But this is my first pickup. I still shake my head.

 

HAHA Right?! I went to look outside when you posted this earlier. My tailgate sites perfectly.

 

Mind the gap....always.

 

That’s a nice gap