Urgent PSA - Check behind your rear cargo seal for debris/rust

[ExpeditionMan]

All,

I was cleaning my truck this evening and decided to pullback the cargo area seal that runs around the body and mates to the split folding tailgate. To my surprise there was a significant amount of dirt behind the seal and a small amount of rust. The pictures I have included are mid-clean so most of this is dirt except for two spots. I also found what looks like seam sealer applied by toyota (black material) which still seems flexible.

What does the body behind this seal look like on your 200 series? Do you have similar seam sealer and potential rust issues?

I am particularly concerned about some of you up north as I am the second owner of my truck and it has lived in DFW, Texas it's whole life. 2013 w/ 168k miles

 

[Willie G]

Thanks for mentioning this...never would have expected to see that on a Texas truck.

 

[ExpeditionMan]

Thanks for mentioning this...never would have expected to see that on a Texas truck.

I was at a car wash so didn't have the tools necessary to truly clean it up. I plan on doing a deep dive this weekend and posting updated pictures. A lot of it was redish dirt so I'm positive there is less rust than the pictures make it appear. That being said you can see a few spots where the paint has worn to primer. I'm assuming dirt got between the seal and the body then rubbed together for thousands of miles.

I really want some other forum members to post pictures to see if the condition is common. The seam sealer seems hap hazard as well with a few pits and areas not having received it.

 

[2021 LC200]

While maybe unexpected, this is very local and very minor rust.

How old is your 200?

 

[ExpeditionMan]

While maybe unexpected, this is very local and very minor rust.

How old is your 200?

Updated the first post. It's a 2013. Looking for someone else to pull the seal (which is very easy) and check the condition of the seam sealer and metal.

 

[04UZJ100]

Fill the area with grease and be done.

 

[ExpeditionMan]

Fill the area with grease and be done.

Have to remove the current dirt/grime first, then remove any rust.

 

[2021 LC200]

Would remove/scrape the local rust and use some white paint. Also a filler perhaps in one or two of those gaps and then stick the seal on it and forget about it.

You are sure that is not just laterite (red iron colored) road dust and some factory or previous owner glue to keep the seal in place?

 

[AZLX570]

Hard to tell from the pics but are you showing the upper hatch as well (not just the tailgate)? I'm planning on doing the same on mine to clean things up and prevent any rust.

For the upper tailgate part, did you remove the plastic trim before pulling back the weatherstripping?

 

[2021 LC200]

There is no upper hatch in those pictures

In case you do want to check the upper tailgate, be aware some part of the seal has a closing safety sensor build in and you do not want to damage that.

 

[ExpeditionMan]

Pictures is of the body NOT the tailgate assembly. Did not remove further than shown. I'm sure most of it is red dust, but at least a few bits look like rust. Friday is when I'll know more and report back. Either way the design is vulnerable to dirt capture and wear, not to mention a few of those gaps not being sealed.

 

[Leaky2014]

Checked. Rust free here.

 

[04UZJ100]

Have to remove the current dirt/grime first, then remove any rust.

Disagree. Remove dirt, heavy grease, done.

 

[Valgrind]

Funny enough just checked this a few days ago, I have a Texas -> cali -> Florida truck so almost no rust but a ton of dirt and debris everywhere… made me worry about water tightness with so much dirt.

 

[ExpeditionMan]

Checked. Rust free here.

How did your seam sealer look? Similar to mine where it is applied only in certain places and looks tacky?

 

[ExpeditionMan]

Funny enough just checked this a few days ago, I have a Texas -> cali -> Florida truck so almost no rust but a ton of dirt and debris everywhere… made me worry about water tightness with so much dirt.

Was yours in similar condition?

 

[ExpeditionMan]

Disagree. Remove dirt, heavy grease, done.

Why?

 

[AZLX570]

There is no upper hatch in those pictures

In case you do want to check the upper tailgate, be aware some part of the seal has a closing safety sensor build in and you do not want to damage that.

Anyone have more info on this and where the sensor is?

 

[2021 LC200]

I recall it is in this area. Not sure whether it is mirrored other side as well. This would be on most LX570’s and only recent years LC200 when the electric back door was introduced, believe that was 2018 onwards.

Perhaps this is a seal you were not planning to look under, just be aware and do not damage it.

 

[ExpeditionMan]

I recall it is in this area. Not sure whether it is mirrored other side as well. This would be on most LX570’s and only recent years LC200 when the electric back door was introduced, believe that was 2018 onwards.

Perhaps this is a seal you were not planning to look under, just be aware and do not damage it.

View attachment 3757459

This is NOT the seal I pulled. I am referring to the seal on the body NOT the lift gate assembly.