Description

The 4th generation Toyota Tacoma has a known issue where the plastic rails on top of the bed aren't particularly well supported at the front. With age & heat the adhesive strip can pull loose and the rail can warp causing a large ugly gap where it meets the painted fender, it's often made worse when a bed cover/tonneau cover is installed. When clamped down to the bed they push on the inner edge of the plastic top rail causing the outer edge to twist upwards. This shim fits beneath the top plastic rail/cap and supports the inner edge, transferring any downward force to the OEM Toyota Deck Rail System and keeps the top rail from warping.  See pictures. The bed top rail is held on with integrated plastic clips, you don't need to remove the entire top rail, just pop the first couple of clips at the front of the bed nearest the cab. This adapter shim has a racetrack shaped protrusion on the bottom that fits into a matching hole in the top of the OEM Deck Rail track. If your tonneau cover is already installed and you don't want to remove it, no problem, all you need to do is take off the Deck Rail (just a few bolts) and slip this shim up underneath the plastic top rail at the front, right above the forward-most Deck Rail bolt. (find the racetrack shaped hole on the top of the Deck Rail) The shim fits in vertically with the three fingers pointing upwards. There are stiffening ribs molded into the underside of the plastic top rail, the fingers on the shim fit around these ribs. You may even be able to leave the rear-most bolt on the Deck Rail and remove the rest, then pivot the Deck Rail down, insert shim, pivot the Rail back up and reinstall/tighten all bolts. I designed these shims based on the measurements of my bed and rails, if there are manufacturing variations on your Tacoma bed you may need to modify slightly. Not sure the bottom protrusion is even entirely necessary, if removed the shim is still completely locked into place once the plastic bed top rail is sna