OK.. ive owned 18 Toyota trucks and counting.. all 89-95's.. and the tail gates on these trucks are JUNK!!! but its only a gate.. but anyways.. i want to make a gate like a pro net but out of steal that uses Toyota latches and hinges... has anybody done this? or thought about doing this? or seen something like this for sale.. ive ruinded alot of gates putting my 4wheelers in the back and just want something stronger...

 

18?

why make a gate if you go through them that fast?

 

WHy not just re-enforce the existing tailgate...?

 

Building one would be easy but the factory latches are junk, get some of the buckle style latches and weld them on there

I know this is a Datsun but you get the idea

 

Expanded sheet metal mesh with a round or box tube frame, weld on some hinges and latches? I was thinking about doing it to the 4Runner so I can get better MPG's with the top off.

 

i read a study that performed wind-tunnel tests on trucks with tailgates up vs down and the tailgate UP performed better than DOWN. their reason was that with gate up, it traps air and creates a 'bubble' of turbulence in the bed that helps keep the ass-end planted as well as help with aerodynamics. a 4runner would benefit from the top removed since you'll be a few hundred pounds lighter. but what do i know, i'm no scientist.

i'd just reinforce the stock tailgate like mentioned before. hinges and latches are already provided and plenty of them at the auto yards to replace it with for cheap.

 

they did it on mythbusters too, same results. best MPG is a solid gate up.

 

The 1gen trucks used the same latches.

If you're putting quads in and out maybe a landscaper ramp would be the thing for you... I saw one someplace that was a triple fold deal it was not much taller then a stock gate and was reinforced mesh.

 

lmao