Toyota Tundra Forum

Pictures are missing d_lo!

__________________

2007 Tundra Limited Double Cab 4x4 Super White
Volant CAI
Pioneer AVIC Z-2 (hard drive upgrade to AVIC Z-3)
Key FOB Tailgate Lock (courtesy of Toxarch)
OEM back-up camera w/flip down monitor microswitch mod
Sirius Satellite Radio
WeatherTech Floor Liners
20" OEM alloy wheels
Line-X Bed liner
UWS Black Powdercoat Low Profile Toolbox
DU-HA underseat storage unit
JC Whitney Black Nerf Bars
Lund Interceptor II Bug Shield
Tekonsha Voyager Brake Controller

I also posted this in the Shadetree sticky, but here it is again.
Mods feel free to delete one of them if double posting this is not ok...

For the record, mine has not failed or cracked yet, but give it time...

So I was at the Toyota dealership today and checked out the tailgates.
They had about 30 tundras on the lot, 3 of which appear to be beefed up.
Yes, I looked at everyone of them.
So, it looks like Toyota is defiantly doing something about the weak corner issue.
I would expect that if anyone's fails, they are going to be replaced with one that has been welded in the right places sooner or later.
The welds shown are on both sides, there are also 2 more welds that are hidden, this was confirmed to me by someone who works at the IN manufacturing plant (who wished to remain anonymous).

The gate is substantially stronger.
On the gate with out the welds, I can flex the corner by pushing down hard with my hands, I can actually see it moving and beginning to split.
On the welded gate, I cannot get it to flex or move at all, even by standing on it and putting all my 220lbs on the corner, and bouncing.

Those that are worry warts, the fix is here and is spreading, don't lose faith in Toyota, they are fixing this and doing what's right.

Welded



Welded



UnWelded

Attached Thumbnails

     

__________________
Nice truck!...Sorry about your penis.
2007 DC Tundra, 5.7L, Limited, Factory NAV, TRD, TRD Duals, TRD CAI
Truxxx 3" + 1" lift, Rear Supersprings, BFG TA/KO 305/65R18

I am not seeing pictures. Is this a problem with my computer or is everyone having this happen?
Paul

__________________

07 Tundra, slate metallic, regular cab, standard bed (6.5 ft. long) 5.7 engine, TRD dual exhaust, Steelcraft stainless step bars, Lund bug shield, Carriage Works billet grill insert, Weathertech vent visors, ScanGauge II, Code Alarm remote starter.

I'm not seeing them either.

__________________


“He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.”

Friedrich Nietzsche
2007 SR-5 Double Cab
4X4 long bed
Silver Sky Metallic
I-Force 5.7 V-8
Line-X spray-in bed liner
Hood protector
Westin powdercoated tube steps

I appreciate this thread completely! It's been very informative and educational - and will certainly help me watch for seam failure, etc. However, 200-300# on the tailgate limit ain't much. 2 guys loading gear in the bed standing on the gate well exceeds that limit. And it's good that the new ones appear to be correcting the problem. Anyone know of what Toyota may be thinking of doing for all the underdesigned gates that are already out there - other than potentially replacing the gate under warranty - or an owner taking it apart and reinforcing it (and potentially voiding the warranty) ?

I do see the pictures. Maybe it's because the pictures are hosted on TS. So that would mean you have to be a TS member to see the pictures. Here they are:

Welded:



Not Welded:

Attached Thumbnails

     

__________________

2007 SR5 Crewmax 5.7L 4x4
Mods: nerf bars, Truxedo tonneau, radar detector power, 3M clear bra, fog lights, black billet grille, rear differential breather, parking sensors, Line-X, power tailgate lock, hood safety latch mod, one off driving lights behind grille, Pioneer NAV w/ OEM camera, Flowmaster 50 SUV dual/dual, blue LED dash lights, Volant CAI, Llumar tint, CompuStar Pro alarm, ProComp 6066 20" wheels, Cooper Zeon LTZ 275/60/20 tires, OME HD coilover lift, Firestone helper air bags, stereo cable lock, Tekonsha P3 brake controller
All mod descriptions and pictures © 2007-2009 by Toxarch. They may be copied only for personal use and the mods may be done for non-profit only.

I reloaded them in my original post, thanks Toxarch for reiterating.

We have seen numerous comments about a repair to tailgates. Someone supposedly did a repair and had Toyota reps check it out. This person promised pictures but I have never seen them. The latest info seems to show a simple corner weld. This will help but is only a bandaid. I plan on using my truck as a "truck" and would like to feel that a permanent fix is available from Toyota. I hate to think that tailgate would fail just after warranty expires. My rant for the day!
Paul

How can you say this, then say that the weld looks like a "band-aid"?

I am also hearing that the new, welded tailgates have also got extra internal bracing on top of all the extra welds.

I'd be interested in hearing more about how the tailgates are weak.
All I have seen is the problem with the corner as I am still not convinced the one that folded under a golf cart is not just a fluke or abuse.

So if the weld has fixed the corner from separating and the braces are allowing for more weight, what else is weak about it?

I have loaded and unloaded my motorcycles dozens of times, including my 520lb XS850SG, my 220lb YZ450F, and 215lb YZ250F.
I have loaded and unloaded close to 2000lbs of fencing material.
I have loaded and unloaded 1800lbs of concrete, 30 - 60lb bags.
I have moved and unloaded a 1500lb pallet of Bamboo flooring.
I have loaded and unloaded a 250lb Refrigerator, leaving it on the edge of the tailgate for a few hours till a neighbor got home to help me lift it down.
The tailgate has been a work bench for many projects.
I have even been to the grocery store a few times.

After all that with my 220lb a$$ on it and more, I still have no damage to my tailgate.
I think I use and abuse mine as a truck more than most.

That said, I bet I could go out right now, get up on the tailgate, stomp on the corner and get it to start separating.
When mine becomes damaged, Toyota will replace it with the new version.

Mine will become damaged before the warranty is up, I am sure of it.

I took a good look at the tailgates on my buddies 2007 Dodge 1/2 ton, my dad's 2007 Ford F350, and another friend's 2005 F350 and compared them to my tailgate, and the new Tundra tailgate.
I can see that the new style tailgate is every bit as strong as theirs.

So please, don't take me as being rude, just enlighten me.
What are your's or anyone's fear at this point?
The seam separates, Toyota fixed it, what else is there?

I just checked my tailgate (07 double cab long bed) and I can plainly see the fold-over...with no seam sealer or weld on either the passenger or driver side, just where the outer skin folds over the sides. Anyone forsee this being a problem. I have a 600# quad and a little 90cc for my son. My concern is that in order to get them both in, the little one will have to ride on the gate sitting sideways. It will be resting a little over the hinge and not much on the gate. I'm thinking of just going for it and hoping Toyota will replace it with a beefier one should it fail...