Bed Stiffners on a 4th gen

[Toyotimothy]

I might be wrong but seems like the bottom and top where the no drill bed stiffeners attach are the strongest points considering that if you drill holes you are drilling into the somewhat flexible bed. However there is the option of drilling those holes if you want them for the no drill that I have.

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[CrispyTacoLover]

Be sure to evaluate the top of stiffners carefully. It might conflict with an attachment point for something like a tonneau cover.

 

[Toyotimothy]

True it might. I don’t currently have one.

 

[Moundman]

Yeah I also have the R4T no drill bed stiffeners. I'm running a rack and tent so I figured why not just in case.

 

[CrispyTacoLover]

Yeah I also have the R4T no drill bed stiffeners. I'm running a rack and tent so I figured why not just in case.

Where did you buy those? I don’t see them listed at https://runnin4tacos.com/collections/4g-tacoma-bed-accessories

 

[Toyotimothy]

Did you paint those or have them powder coated? Or do they have color options now? Looks good.

 

[Moundman]

Where did you buy those? I don’t see them listed at https://runnin4tacos.com/collections/4g-tacoma-bed-accessories

https://uptopoverland.com/collections/toyota-tacoma-bed-racks

 

[Moundman]

Did you paint those or have them powder coated? Or do they have color options now? Looks good.

Yeah I painted them to match the blue I have in other areas.

 

[JakeJoeBob]

I put some of Up top's "no drill" bed stiffiners on, seems like it got rid of some flex. That said...not sure it's a major issue unless you have a lot of weight over the bed. I figured at worst i'd get some nice tie down points. Up top's tie downs are stainless which is nice.

Ive heard in sone cases with a lot of wheeling the beds can flex enough to cause damage over a very long period of time but i'm not really an expert so I'm really not sure honestly.

I will say the rear end of the truck feels noticeably stiffer in the rear which I like in everyday driving. Feels even more like a 4Runner now which was my last vehicle. Flexing out on the trail feels stiffer in a good way as well. This leads me to believe there was for sure some flext in that bed, enough to damage it? Definitely not, but it does seem to be a nice improvement to over all ride quality.

If you have the extra cash I say it's a "why not" but for sure not a "need"

 

[CrispyTacoLover]

I put some of Up top's "no drill" bed stiffiners on, seems like it got rid of some flex. That said...not sure it's a major issue unless you have a lot of weight over the bed. I figured at worst i'd get some nice tie down points. Up top's tie downs are stainless which is nice.

Ive heard in sone cases with a lot of wheeling the beds can flex enough to cause damage over a very long period of time but i'm not really an expert so I'm really not sure honestly.

I will say the rear end of the truck feels noticeably stiffer in the rear which I like in everyday driving. Feels even more like a 4Runner now which was my last vehicle. Flexing out on the trail feels stiffer in a good way as well. This leads me to believe there was for sure some flext in that bed, enough to damage it? Definitely not, but it does seem to be a nice improvement to over all ride quality.

If you have the extra cash I say it's a "why not" but for sure not a "need"

Any chance you can take a picture of the top since it is cropped out of this picture? It appears to use the same bolts as my tonneau cover latch point. Thanks in advance.

 

[TFOUTS]

My RTT weighs 175 and the bedrack weighs 150. I haven't looked at my video footage yet but I know when the flex happened which was 3/4 way up Medano Primitive Rd. There was a sudden steep hill paved with rocks going around a corner. I had to use the "crawl" mode and the back end dragged on the trailer hitch skid plate. Going over the that rock caused a jolt.

 

[JakeJoeBob]

Any chance you can take a picture of the top since it is cropped out of this picture? It appears to use the same bolts as my tonneau cover latch point. Thanks in advance.

Sure thing dude

 

[Romer]

I went ahead and ordered the Utop stiffners. Seems like the best of both worlds. I can install with no drill option and even add 3 bolts along the side if I want to add strength now or at a later date.

They said it is compatible with the OEM Tonneau cover

Thanks everyone for your input

 

[Rubi2Trailhunter]

In the FWIW column, I chose to go with Westcott Designs' stiffeners. They struck me as having a bit more heft, spreading load with more attach points. While I would also have preferred no drilling, I took note of the substantial backing plates they use. If they had not had robust backing plates, preventing pull-through or other distortions, I wouldn't have used them.

It's been a month. They look nice. About all I can say. Check w/me in a year.

 

[CrispyTacoLover]

Sure thing dude

I just checked. These stiffners use the same location and bolts as the Extang Solid Fold ALX tonneau. They might work together with longer bolts.

Anyway, folks that want bed stiffners and have a tonneau cover, they need to consider compatibility.

Thanks again for the pics @JakeJoeBob

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