Metallic Vibrating from Rear?

Hi everyone,

I have '22 ORP with about 13k miles on it. I've noticed a metallic vibrating sound coming from what sounds like the rear by the tail gate.

The sound only starts whenever going over bumps or down roughly paved roads, manhole covers, etc.

It's been going on for a while, I kept ignoring it thinking that it was just the ratchet straps and toolbox making the noise in the back. I finally took everything out of the back and see that it's still vibrating.

I googled around looking for others with the same experiences, but everyone else that had the same problems also had 50k + miles on their 4Runners. 13k seems low for parts starting to wear out and cause vibration.

I checked my skid plates and they were fine. The RCI gas tank skid is on tight, and the only other mod I have is ARB differential breathers running from the rear diff and rear e-locker (2 hoses).

Is it possible that it could be the ARB breather hoses causing vibrations?

I checked them and they are in the same spot I installed them, but I'm wondering if it could be the extra few loops of hose I left in the back?

To describe the sound: it sounds to me like thin metal vibrating. There is no clunking, no knocking, and no change in the driving characteristics.

I do have E load Toyo ATIII's but the vibrating is very metallic, so I don't think it's the tires.

Thanks for any help

 

You might want to look at the spare tire and make sure it is secure - meaning that the tire is all the way cranked fully in the up position. Also, the chain that winches the spare tire could be rattling on something.

 

This may sound stupid but make sure its not your liscence plate or liscence plate holder vibrating

 

I feel like I have the exact same noise. I’ve been having it for a while if not ever (I can’t remember how it was at the beginning). I now have 10k miles.

Never really got to check exactly where it comes from. At first I thought it was the first aid kit but I got it out and I could still hear the same noises. It’s quite faint and I can’t tell if it’s from inside or outside (it sounds like inside but I could be wrong).
It comes from somewhere behind the driver seat.
I need to have my wife or a friend drive the truck while I sit in the back and try to find the source.
It only happens when the road is a bit rougher or if it’s slightly bumpy

 

secrure the crappy little jack in teh back corner behind that plastic door. I have to readjust mine once a month.

 

This and make sure your hatch latch is tight and secure in place

 

Thanks for all the replies.

I went and checked a few things.

-It is not the license plate; I took it off completely and drove a lap around the block and the same noise was still there.

-It is not the spare tire: I did the same lap around the block without it and the noise was still there.

I'll check the crappy little jack in the back corner and the hatch latch next time I'm out there tomorrow.

 

I had a similar noise in my '19 TRD and traced it to a loose harness banging around inside the liftgate - simple fix once I determined the source..

 

I had a similar noise recently, sat in the back while someone drove around and I figured out that in my case, it was the tailgate latch. I deeeep cleaned the tailgate side, sprayed WD-40 into it and lubed the striker…noise is gone!

Check to see if your tailgate lock is excessively dirty? Just a thought…

 

The rattling tailgate latch is a common problem. Some people go to great lengths attempting to align the striker plate better. Another solution is to clean up the striker loop well and wrap black nylon electrical tape around it a few times. Works for me. Note that you may have to replace the tape a few times each year.

 

I completely removed it and just like that the noise stopped! Thanks.

I’ll have to find a way to make sure it’s well secured

 

Weird, I’ve never had a problem with the factory jack coming loose. I have used it a couple of times and it actually works quite well. Could just be a matter of getting it seated in there just right and tightening it.

 

I also never had an issue with my former 14 or my current 21 T4R. As Slopemaster stated, align and tighten with enough pressure that it can’t move. Easy peeezy.