does your 98 limited have a rubber gasket around the rear license plate?

I am starting to get the smallest bit of paint bubbling around the rear license plate garnish(where the plastic part meets the paint, barely noticeable, no rubber gasket) . I know that some years have a rubber gasket around the garnish. Curious if my 98 limited is supposed to have one, or if the PO removed it for some reason. thanks for the insight.

anyone else have a similar problem? any suggestions for the best way to eliminate a potential rust problem in this area? I've been told to just keep a good coat of wax on the area but I would like to eliminate a potential problem altogether...

I removed that panel (No small feat, was a pain in the butt, had to remove the rear window arms from their track.) and removed the shrunken and hardened gasket completely then VERY carefully applied a thin (3/8 inch) bead of FPIG all the way around the edge of the panel where the gasket was, and then smoothed it out with a latex glove with my thumb and index with a thin layer of soap on them. I then let the "gasket" dry completely before installing back on the truck. It works great, doesn't rattle at all when the sub hits and is 100% water proof. It was a little hard to reinstall as I had to compress the gasket a bit to get the nuts on the inside started but it sucked down alright with a very tight seal.

Troybylt said:

I removed that panel (No small feat, was a pain in the butt, had to remove the rear window arms from their track.) and removed the shrunken and hardened gasket completely then VERY carefully applied a thin (3/8 inch) bead of FPIG all the way around the edge of the panel where the gasket was, and then smoothed it out with a latex glove with my thumb and index with a thin layer of soap on them. I then let the "gasket" dry completely before installing back on the truck. It works great, doesn't rattle at all when the sub hits and is 100% water proof. It was a little hard to reinstall as I had to compress the gasket a bit to get the nuts on the inside started but it sucked down alright with a very tight seal.

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Sounds like a good amount of work. What are u referring to when u say FPIG? I def have to do something so the rust does not spread.

Does anyone know if 98's came with a factory gasket? Or have a part # for one?

Mine didn't come with a gasket, so I used a fender flare gasket to add one. Part number 75696-35020, at Camelback or wherever you please.

One of those is about 1-1.5" shy of going around the whole panel, but that's fine since it leaves a drain gap on the bottom. Looks fine, works great.

Suggest trying to take that panel off before doing anything else, though. The plastic clips like to break, and you'll want to order a few new ones along with the gasket if they do.

0xfded said:

Mine didn't come with a gasket, so I used a fender flare gasket to add one. Part number 75696-35020, at Camelback or wherever you please.

One of those is about 1-1.5" shy of going around the whole panel, but that's fine since it leaves a drain gap on the bottom. Looks fine, works great.

Suggest trying to take that panel off before doing anything else, though. The plastic clips like to break, and you'll want to order a few new ones along with the gasket if they do.

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much appreciated. as far as the paint bubbling: sand prime and paint?? It is barely noticeable, but I figure that might make it an easier fix, then the new gasket could hopefully cover up where I paint...

lgc285 said:

much appreciated. as far as the paint bubbling: sand prime and paint?? It is barely noticeable, but I figure that might make it an easier fix, then the new gasket could hopefully cover up where I paint...

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I'd use a product like rust mort or por-15 so the rust won't come back.

angus said:

I'd use a product like rust mort or por-15 so the rust won't come back.

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thats a good idea. as long as I can keep the Por-15 under the license plate plastic garnish - so it doesnt mess with the paint on the tailgate

lgc285 said:

Sounds like a good amount of work. What are u referring to when u say FPIG? I def have to do something so the rust does not spread.

Does anyone know if 98's came with a factory gasket? Or have a part # for one?

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FIPG, usually pronounced fip-ige. (TYPO, not fpig) is Toyota's "Form In Place Gasket" it's a high temp oil resistant high carbon silicone gasket maker similar to RTV. (But LOADS better.) It's used in many spots on our trucks to seal and a few extra places on mine I, always have some on hand so I used that for my licence plate frame gasket.

There is a factory gasket but it only comes with that panel, and together they are about $600 if you can get it at all. At least that's what my system says.

76825-35020 for the gasket piece

I see it is an old thread but just got done doing this on my 99 SR5.

I can't be sure whether or not a 98 limited has this gasket, but can't image why it would not. It forms a weather tight seal between the bezel and the hatch.

The license plate surround bezel piece on mine did have a black rubber gasket. Part number 76825-35020, roughly $11.45 through a Toyota parts department.

I did pull the entire bezel from the hatch, and as others have suggested, it is a bit of work to do so. It's a good time to change the paint color or other repairs.

4 push in (to the hatch) plastic clips will basically be destroyed when you pull off the surround. 3 along the bottom, 2 are held in place by metal brackets, at the corners. Another 2 held in place by plastic supports similar to the ones found on the hatchback trim piece you have to remove to get inside the hatchback.

The clips are part #76817-89101.

But you likely have this all figured out by now, but this may be of some help to others.

Mine actually had one but it got compressed / pushed in so the bezel was directly touching the paint.

The 1998 doesn’t have a gasket. At least a pronounced one like on a 99-02.