2nd Gen Bed Questions

Hey everyone - just decided to go with a 2nd gen after a lot of looking around, but my one concern is the bed. I have a '86 4x4 with the plastic bedliner and it works great. The 2nd gen Tacomas have this weird fiberglass(?) bedliner thing with all sorts of bells and whistles. It looks complex, not very durable, and kinda cheap/cheesy.

First - what are you guys' impressions of the bed materials and functionality in the 2nd gens? Anyone on here have an older 2nd gen that they've really used to haul dirt, limbs, rocks, metal, etc....and the bed is still ok? Those little sliding adjustable tie down hooks look like trouble waiting to happen, but maybe I'm wrong...

Second - are there any good options for "upgrading" or modifying the bed to be more durable/functional?

Thanks for the help!

 

It is composite material - light and strong. I've had no problems with it at all...

And the tie downs work well. They are functional and hold strong.

 

There is not a bedliner in it. The whole bed is that composite material, and it's pretty strong. I disagree with it looking cheap and cheesy, I think drop in liners look cheap and cheesy.

People haul all sorts of things with them with no problem. I've treated this bed just as I did my previous metal beds on other trucks and there's nothing wrong. The sliding tie downs work good for most people, just don't expect to tie down a 747 with them.

One favorite mod around here for the bed is a rubber bed mat to keep shit from sliding around..

 

Maybe the ones I've seen have just been abused, but I've looked at '05-'09s and the beds look like they're 20 years old. They are faded, gouged, scratched, and look like all the little pieces have been weathered for decades. It just appears cheap and not durable.

I'll keep looking around and see if I can find some better examples. A bed cover probably wouldn't be a bad idea if I ever get one of these things.

 

Take a look at some of the pics in my gallery. I use it to haul all kinds of stuff, including a full ton of rock. Even had bricks, steel sheet,steel pipe and tube, all kinds of stuff. I have even taken huge chunks out of it in some places and it is still going strong.

 

Oh, I bought my truck with 17,XXX on the clock and it already was scratched, but that is just aesthetic. There are no gouges and, honestly, unless it is a show truck that is no big deal in my opinion.

I had a bedliner on my previous truck and this is actually easier to clean out and there is no dirt, etc., getting trapped under the liner.

 

Keep in mind these beds can still be Rhino Lined or Line X'd, just like metal beds for extra protection.

 

A plus that people forgot to add is that it will never rust.

 

It's a bad place to mount a cb antenna, but it's strong and durable.

 

The only issue I have had, having carried very heavy shop machines in it was one of the feet of the machine compressed the bed composite material leaving a small dent if you will. Its hardly noticeable and my own dame fault for not trying to distribute the weight better. Basically the machines metal foot localized its weight to much for the rigidity of the be liner.

 

Here is an illustration of what my bed's "wear" looks like. Nothing dire:

 

I've found it to be very durable. Tie downs and bed rails work great too.

The bed floor does scratch very easily but just out a bed mat down and you won't have to worry. Plus stuff won't slide easily then.

 

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I have read thousands of threads since joining TW. I have never seen anyone complain about the bed.

It seems like the only time it comes up is when someone doesn't have experience with it and just assumes it won't be any good.

 

I have an 05 and have carried many things in the bed. I had big bear 400 four wheeler in the bed and it popped off the loading ramps and slammed into my tailgate. Didnt hurt it at all.

 

Thanks for the responses. I think the trucks I've looked at have just had REALLY beat up beds - probably abused and never cleaned - stuff like that.

I'm not super concerned with looks, but wanted to make sure all the little compartments, tie-downs, adjustable rail systems, and the bedliner material durability weren't a concern. Y'all have successfully put my concerns to rest.

Also, @Whitecloud - my wife will not appreciate me looking through your pictures. If I finally get a 2nd gen, I might have to do some of those upgrades ;-) I noticed you drive a auto. I'm a manual guy, but I haven't driven the 6-sp MT yet. Looks like a lot of guys are off-roading with autos these days. I guess it works alright...?

 

Thousands of pounds of concrete chunks, dirt, rock, rebar and it's holding up just fine.

My one complaint is that it's slippery. My driveway is on a slope, so loading camping gear was a chore. $25 solution was strips of non-skid (grip tape) along the raised parts of the bottom of the bed.

 

Nice. It didn't seem any slicker than my plastic bed liner, so it may actually be an upgrade in a lot of ways, including size!

 

Buy the OEM bed mat

 

My auto works great and I use the full range of gears when wheeling. I also have changed the gears front and rear to 4.56's from stock. But it wheels great.