Restoration attempt: closing the hatch issue

[wiminer]

Hey everyone, 

After looking for a long while, I finally got myself a Wildernest and while it's generally in good condition, I've got some restoration work to do. At this point, I've got one question:

I put the nest on my 2001 Tacoma 6' bed, and if the topper is seated normally on the bed rails, the rear hatch window will not close; instead it is blocked by the tailgate before it gets into position. I temporarily fixed this by seating the topper about 3/4" away from the cab, but I would like to figure out the real issue before building out my truck. It appears the hinge for the rear hatch may be a bit rusty or the locking mechanism could be missing something, could this be the issue? Or would seating the topper on a layer of weather striping give the lock enough height to clear the tailgate?

If anyone has had a similar issue, please let me know.

P.S. any pictures of the rear hatch locking mechanism would be greatly appreciated.

[gary]

I have never had that problem but I don't think you would want it much closer than 3/4" from the cab anyway. I get a lot of flexing between the cab and bed when off-road. Too close and you would get rubbing. If you don't go off-road, you should be safe a little closer but your truck looks to be built for off-road.

[wiminer]

Thanks for the reply, I guess the 3/4" is the set back from sitting squarely on the bed. I believe I'm just having issues with the locking mechanism then.

Is there any foam or a spacer between your topper and the bed rail?

[gary]

I tried to reply to this sooner but it would not let me for some reason.

I just use a large bead of silicone on the bed rail and set the shell on it to squeeze it out and seal it. There is no foam to space it up.

I can take picture if you can tell me the location you would like them taken.

[wiminer]

Interesting, if you could send me a picture of the passenger side near the rear window latch that would be great!

[gary]

Dec 31, 2019 15:59:44 GMT -5 wiminer said:

Interesting, if you could send me a picture of the passenger side near the rear window latch that would be great!

I am not sure this will help you.  I could not get them to be any larger.

The first one is from the inside with the latch in the locked position.

The second one is of the small plate that the latch slider fits against when locked.

The third one is of the latch slider with the window flipped up and the latch slider is out in the position it would be when locked.  There is a flat section on the side opposite to what you can see.  It is the area that contacts the plate on the shell body.

If you would like larger pictures, send me your email address.  After I posted the pictures I found out you can click on them to enlarge them.

[Traildog]

I figured since I was around I should put my solution out for the tacoma bed, even though this tread is older. I put a couple of boards and c clamps to the lower lip of the rear hatch. About 2ft long. And slowly worked my way back and forth,bending the edge outward. If you just use pliers it will be wavy, the boards and clamps on both sides of it keep it straighter. I have plex in the back window hatch, so I didn't have to take the frame apart. If you have glass, definitely drill the rivets and take the frame apart or it will likely shatter. My nest sits pretty flush with the front of the bed by the cab now. Put bulb seals around it in all the tracks if you want to keep the dust out, along with the truxedo kit for the tailgate. There are some other tailgate seal options that may be a little more durable too.

[Traildog]

I should add, I have one from the 70s with the small double windows up towards the front. And the tent with the weird tubes for vents.