Another Take on Extra D-Rings

I set out today to add more D-rings to my bed, as I was, like most of you, unhappy with the lack of place to secure things at the front of the bed. I originally started with this excellent write-up by Neubs. While going through the process, however, I found that I didn't like a few things about the install. It's pretty much all me being picky. The bed bolts did not sit flush on top of the OEM D-Rings I bought, and also prevent the D-rings from being able to swivel. These two facts led me to install the D-Rings per Toyota's instructions that came in the package. For those who like to see pictures before pulling the trigger on a mod, here you go. This install is easier than zipping your pants (less risky too).

Materials:
- Toyota PartT785-35054 (this is the old part number. If you call toyota and ask for these, they reference a new number. I am not sure if they are the EXACT same part)
- T40 3/8" Drive Socket
- 19mm wrench or socket
- 7/16" drill bit
- pencil
- tape measure


1. The instructions say to measure 70mm up from the bottom and 72 mm from the front of the bed to mark your hole. Converted and round to the nearest measureable length, this is 2 3/4" up and 2 7/8" over.Drill the hole using a 7/16" bit, being careful not to penetrate your fuel fill pipe (you have to REALLY F UP to even come near it, but c.y.a., right?)


2.Take the white plastic washer off the D-Ring bolt, and place the bolt through the hole. Use some duct tape if you'd like to hold it in place for the next step.

3. Get out of the bed and head to the wheel well. In the instructions, which were written for an '05, it mentions removing screws from the wheel well shroud. Do so if necessary, but I found with my '10 that I could just bend the shroud back a little bit to find the bolt:


4. Attach the backing to the bolt using a T40 bit and a 19mm wrench. This can be done alone if you are particularly flexible or blessed by genetics with gorilla arms. Otherwise, get your wife/husband/hetero life mate to hold the backplate vertical per the instructions while you torque the bolt to 23.5 lb-ft.


A few pics of the finished product:



Enjoy your newly acquired tie-down capabilities.

 

I like the idea of them being on the side,
but i feel better with the security of the bed bolts.

 

Nice writeup! I got lucky and mine camw with those. I too am picky like you. I like them to swivel.

 

Looks great but I'd much rather tie my atv to the bed-bolt rings then those.

 

So that area that you're bolting those down to...is that metal or just bed liner plastic? What (if you had to guess) is the capacity for each of those?

 

It's the actual bed, not a liner, with the backing plates you see in the first pic on the other side. You're more than welcome to come pull on mine and see how much they hold

 

Italyn -

There is no metal in our bed. It is made entirely of a composite material. As far as how much it holds, I'm not 100% sure. When it's light out again tomorrow, I will look and see if the stock d-rings use the same system or are bolted to the frame. If they use the same backer plate, then I'd assume they have the same strength. That being said, a specific weight limit is not given in the manual. I will do more research to find this answer.

 

Again, I will confirm tomorrow that the stock D-Rings are set up the same way as the new additions but here's a maybe answer to the weight rating:

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/28533-installed-d-rings-bed-pics-5.html#post1060223

 

I ordered some d-rings a couple weeks ago and I'm finally convinced to put them in the recommend location. I'll put them there because of the reasons you stated also I don't haul much so the capacity is enough for me, and the location is out of the way. Plus, I'd hate to start cutting up that beautiful bed mat!

 

I used the bed bolts to mount mine, (horribly because I was paying half attention when I cut the washer off the frame bolt and nearly sawed half the bolt head off), and I've torque'd em down tighter than I have with any other tie down system all my previous trucks.

 

Curiosity got the best of me, and I crawled under the bed with a flashlight. It appears that the stock D-Rings are secured through both the composite bed and a piece of the body. Not sure how much sturdier, if any, this setup is over the additional D-Rings, as this piece of the body is extremely thin.

To clarify, too, I'm not knocking the bed bolt method at all. During my own install, I just didn't like the fit. I imagine if I had gotten the military surplus D-Rings, and shaped them, it would have gone swimmingly, and I will probably still do this to ensure safe tie-down of heavier loads.

 

I like this location.

 

Like These

 

This. You could probably suspend my truck by the d-rings, as they're essentially bolted to the frame.

 

They are bad a$$

 

Anybody have the correct Toyota p/n for these d-rings? The OP mentions the old p/n but I didn't see the newer p/n anywhere in the thread.

Thanks!

 

Aha, found it....

$35 PT278-35054

PT278-35054