Bakflip MX4 Prelim Review

The following is my critical review of the Bakflip MX4 for a '16 Double Cab Short Bed...Off Road...etc.

Full disclosure -- I have always installed all of my stuff -- from Kings to UCAs to OMEs, etc. So I am handy with tools.

First off...Trump 2016!

Next, reason for the purchase: I have had one of each generation Tacoma, the previous have had camper shells. This time, I wanted to do something different, with my goals being to keep camping gear reasonably dry, and reduce the chance of some a$$hat stealing my .308 on the way back from a pig hunting trip, while I am inside mowing down a double double animal style with a choc shake...that being said:

I purchased at 4WheelParts, mostly because there is one near me and its free ship to store. I read some reviews about the issues on tonneaus, and the salesperson at 4WP assured me if there were any issues, they would resolve it themselves 100% -- so far have not needed it.

Overall, I think this system is perfect for what I wanted. Its not high security, and I don't expect it to be -- but its better than a shell with glass windows.

On the product -- well engineered, but I think it may need a bit of refinement. Upon unpackaging, there were aluminum shavings everywhere. All of the drilled holes were drilled, but still had shavings in them. Seriously??? Its called a shop vac or compressed air guys at Bakflip!!!

Once giving everything a thorough cleaning, I resolved to carefully take my time and do things slow. If you do this yourself, besides what is in the box, you will need the following tools:

1. Laptop with youtube because the directions suck camel ballz.

2. Black RTV silcone -- I used Permatex from Pep Boys.

3. Beer.

4. Beer.

5. Patience.

6. Beer.

Generally, everything went according to the install per the "Bakflip G2 for 2016 Tacoma" on Youtube. But, understand, those dudes pre-installed that shite, so don't expect to get it done as fast.

My recommendations -- take your time, and don't tighten anything until you are done, including your rail accessories.

As of the completed install, I am happy, pics below show the finished product. Only issue that bugs me is a gap at the front rails where water would clearly enter. But I filled this with the black silicone -- also in the pics.

The great thing about this cover is you can still use the tiedown racks. My Relentless brackets reinstalled with a bit of creativity, and allowed room behind for the Svensaw and Benchmade axe. On the other side, the rail relocation fit the beautiful AllPro (sorry, AllPro fanboy here) hi lift brackets -- although barely. This is one area where you will want to tighten the rail bolts after you install the brackets, so everything fits above the plastic lip in the bed wall.

I have hosed down the cover and no leaks, except at the tailgate, which I have not sealed yet. The kit came with some extra gaskets and when I get a chance, I will work on the tailgate to see where water comes in. Until then, hope this helped anyone in the market.

 

Great Info. Any updates with tailgate/leaks?

 

I would love to hear an update too! I was thinking about getting this one.

 

So far I have not washed the truck. You may have heard, Southern California is burning right now. Ash everywhere, so waiting for that to end before I wash. I will be taking it to the coin op to test with high pressure.

I installed a tailgate seal though, Truxedo brand, but they all seem to be universal. Good thing is that the recent heatwave has also made all of the gaskets really soft and pliable, and it seems to have conformed to the shape of the bedrails really well.

Will update when I wash.

 

Water update:

Washed the truck -- thoroughly with pressure washer. No visible leaks. Only trace water around the tailgate when I opened it, and I think that was from when I opened the tailgate and water went in from the surface.

Based on this, I'd say the system with the tailgate seal is fairly water resistant -- time will tell.

 

Thanks for the update. I am still considering pulling the trigger on one. I think that they are one of the best looking covers on the market. I want to be able to do too many things to my truck and nothing does everything that I want!! If only they would make a version that would be plug and play with yakima or thule products to mount over the cover.

 

Thanks -- but I wish it looked that way all of the time.

 

Great review!! Just got mine delivered yesterday will put it on saturday, any recommendations as to what tools to use?

 

Basically what I noted in the review, and what is on the instructions. Use a ratchet with the torx bit instead of a power drill, a little extra effort and time is not worth a cross threaded screw.

 

I installed my MX4 today. My last cover was a fiber max on a GMC. This one went one much easier. I love the upgrade of the rail lowering so it is still usable. The snaps are way better than the old D rings that rust. The new seal on the tail gate is yet to be tested. I love the fact that I can open and shut gate without opening cover. I also didn't use the tubes included. I instead used a hose I could cut to length with a brass adapter so it wouldn't be hit in the bed floor and have to trim around bed may or bed rug, which ever I decide to go with.

 

Great review. I like your drain tubes, damnit, wish I had thought of that!

 

Yours looks great. I love your bed rug. I wish I could get one but with my son playing baseball it would be nasty from red clay cleats. Lol. Awesome organization in your bed.

 

Easy fix there. I work in construction, hunt, fish, mountain bike, etc, always have muddy/dirty boots. Take a 6" high Rubbermaid or similar tub big enough for the boots, mine is like 18"X24". But a tab of the hook portion of velcro on the bottom of each corner. This keeps the tub from moving around on the rug. -- Its cheap and removable.

 

Subd. I'm thinking about getting this cover.

I called BAK with a few questions and they had some canned responses that didn't make sense. For instance they said they do not recommend driving with the cover folded and snapped in the horizontal position (they only recommend driving with it flipped up vertical with the support bars). This makes no sense - I asked what the point of the snaps/straps were and he had no comment.

One question for those who have installed it. When it is folded into the horizontal position and you have the straps secured, can you flip it up vertical without undoing the two snaps/straps? Any chance someone could take a pic of how far up it can be flipped when snapped? BAK said the straps are too short and would need to be undone on both sides before flipping the cover up. The reason I ask is I'd love to have a tray/tool box under the front section of the cover that I can access with the cover in the horizontal stowed/strapped position.

 

if anyone wants a group buy in Bakflips, hit me up! i have just the vendor..

 

I am unsure of your question but I will do my best. First if I have the cover folded up to where I can snap it ( that is one flip short of vertical) I feel safe with it snapped and driving down the road. That's what it's is designed for. I haven't tried it but feel sure would be no problem I don't understand them telling you that you can't. As far as a storage behind the cab such as a tool box. You will have to fold all sections forward and stand it up vertical. You can not access the bed by flipping it open from front. Not sure that answers your questions.

 

Thanks - I asked 3 ways if it was ok to drive with it strapped in the horizontal position and each time he said "we can only recommend driving with the cover secured in the vertical position". Is still don't get it either.

I know the cover doesn't flip from the front. What I want to do is build my own tray/toolbox similar to the BAK box. They don't make it to fit the Tacoma. To access the BAK box in the full size trucks you have to flip the cover into the vertical (against cab position). My question is if it can be folded into the vertical position if it is strapped in place in the horizontal position. I plan to drive with it folded horizontal when I toss my bike in the back but was hoping not to have to unstrap the cover to access the "BAK box" tool box. Does that help to explain what I mean?

Thanks for your help btw!

 

The straps are in a stored position at all times unless you want to strap cover down. I can open mine and start flipping and flip it all the way vertical without touching straps. I will take some pictures of the straps in normal position and strapped. That are out of the way and don't effect flipping.

 

Awesome! So between pics 2 and 3 the strap has been undone. Are you saying you can flip up as shown in pic 3 without un-clipping the strap? If so I simply don't understand why BAK game me all this weird BS info. l

 

I watched a video before buying the mx4. I will post that link.
https://youtu.be/F_ByQkAiPJQ

I hope this helps. By the way. I called Bak directly and they give me a 10% discount on the phone. They said be careful where you order. For example there are some sellers on Amazon that Bak will not honor waranty. Can't go wrong ordering directly from them.