bed tie downs

Because the bolts hold the d-ring tight. If you had a bolt that stopped, say, 1/4" before the head touched the bed then it could swivel. Then again, these bolts hold the bed down so if they aren't tight the bed would rattle and move a little.

 

Or with a much heavier motorcycle in a short (5ft.) bed, was thinking to put a slab of plywood in bed out to end of tailgate (distribute load of heavy rear), then screw down a couple blocks of wood onto the plywood to chock a motorcycles front wheel ....

all this and I don't even own a Tacoma. Gonna be at least 6 months or more before I take the plunge.

Sounds like the movable cleats are ok for a sport bike.

 

NO!!

Ok, sorry to yell, but one guy did that and the cleat broke. Handle bar punched through the bed so not only did he have to replace the bed, but he also had to fix the bike.

I just wouldn't do it! Use D-Rings so you don't risk damaging the bike AND truck.

 

Maverick, what type of bed you have. I ordered the exact same tiedowns as you and am prepared to install them. When I went to measure for the holes I realized that, 1. I cant even get to the bottom of the bed on the drivers side, the fuel tank is in the way, and 2. the measurement on the passenger side won't work, the 1.25 inches is too far over and .25 is too far down. I have a double cab, short bed. I noticed you have an access cab and I assume its a long bed. Any info?

 

Yeah, I have an access cab long bed. I actually didn't even think about the two bed configurations being different on the underside. Best guess would be to go with the mounting instructions that came with the tie-downs, and put them as low ans as forward as you can in the sides of the bed.

Sorry for the confusion, and I'll edite the original post when I get a chance to avoid further confusion in the future.

 

I tie down a KTM 300 dirt bike in the back of my Tacoma. I do not trust the cleats, so I got some extra Toyota D-rings and mounted them under the front bolts that hold the bed directly to the frame. Very secure.

 

Don't worry about it, I just thought that I would make that fact known. I'm going to get up under there Friday, so I'll let you all know what I decide to do.

 

I would, but I want the pivot ability, and I don't own a hex bit that big.

 

If you bolt the d-rings under the bed bolts they will not spin. So how do you decide which direction you want them to be since they will not turn.

I'm going to bolt my d-ring under the bed bolts. And I'm thinking about pointing them about a 45 degree. Like from corner to corner.

BUDDY

 

^That's what I'm doing, about that same angle.

 

I only tie down one thing with those front rings....... motorcycles.

Thus, I know how I want them.



.

 

Whoda thought U could have a 3 page chat about d-rings.....

 

That's what I did with mine. I've got another set that are going on the middle bed bolts. I've put several different bikes in the back with no problems. You can use the side rail D-rings but you can't tighten them very much before you start to see them bending toward the strap.

 

The way mine are it doesn't really matter. I can still get a ratchet strap hook through them. I've never needed them to, or wish they could, swivel.

 

RCNG FAN You didn't cut your washer like most people do, does the D-ring still swivel?

 

I got up under there today and there is almost no way I can get to the Drivers side of the bed from underneath. I think my only option is to go with the suggested location on the wheel well. I don't have a T45, or T50 or whatever size that bed bolt is.

 

I didn't have one either! I just picked up a single bit for a socket wrench, and ended up putting it on my impact wrench to get them out. Bit was only a couple bucks at a tractor supply store IIRC.

 

is it a t45 or t50?

 

T55 like Phantom said.

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/technical-chat/4838-cheap-free-mods.html#post45406

 

That would take a VERY special Torx bolt that would tighten down BELOW the D-ring in order to allow the ring to swivel above it. I don't think anyone makes one for this specific purpose.