Short Bed: Anyone Added Extra D-Rings Using Provided Hardware?

I've read about the D-ring mod in many places and I got so excited that I purchased an extra set of d-rings. While waiting for the D-rings to show up, I started wondering whether anyone has and any longterm success mounting the rings other places in the bed by drilling new holes and using the provided backing plates.

The rings showed up this morning and included an instruction sheet that directed me to a very specific location on the side of the bed of the long bed model (which I don't have). Of course, now I'm back to considering whether the composite bed would survive any other mounting option other than using the frame bolts.

 

I added 4 extra rings but they are under the bed bolts.

 

with the short bed i just added two d-rings under the two bed bolts next to the cab.
That way you have two up front and two in the back.
As far as drilling and mounting else where - no.
You are not going to get any stronger mounting locations than using the bed mounting bolts.
you have to grind down the top of the bed bolt just enough to get the washer off, you usually have to drill out the hole in the d-rings alittle to get them over the bed bolts. but well worth it

 

I added them to the recommended location. Took all of 20 minutes to do by myself at 730AM in the frost before I tried to load my moto. Helped that my arms are long enough that I could reach both sides of the bolt to tighten it.

They seem pretty damn solid to me.

If you put them anywhere else, I'd at least keep them to a corner location. That way the junction of a couple walls can add some rigidity to the bed mounting. Putting them in the middle of a big open unsupported location would not be good.

 

Good suggestion about the corner location. I'm sure the backing plate (which is bigger than I expected) also distributes the load well.

 

I added them to a long bed, I don't know how much differnt they are except for length. I placed them 1 and 1/2 inch on the outboard side and in line with the drain hole. The backing plate fit perfect. Check it out and measure twice before you drill.
I also used locktite on the bolts.

 

How long ago did you install them? Have you used them for any heavy duty securing? Any signs of stress on the bed?

 

i put a set in the little recessed areas that i think are for the factory toyota toolbox. they are strong and since they are in the recessed area, they don't get in the way of anything. this is the best pic i have of them. kinda hard to see, but you can sort of see them on the left and right sides of the picture, near the lights.

 

That seems like a good solution. What kind of duty have they served? Any signs of stress?

 

helped a buddy pick up his kowasaki ninja and used those to tie it down. that's probably the most force ever applied to them, but they had no problem

 

It's only been a couple of weeks, but have used to to tie down tool boxes and power equipment moderate duty securing. No signs of damage or cracking.

 

I suppose this really relates to a bigger question I have: just how durable is the composite bed? I know it won't rust, so that's a plus. But how does it hold up to use over time?

 

from what i have seen, read about, and experienced myself, the breaking point of the composite material is far beyond the bending/deformation point of steel used in normal beds. the only problem is that it does not really bend, and goes straight to breaking at that point. but as long as you are responsible about using it (tie down the heavy stuff) i presume the longevity to be beter than any steel bed.....my .02

 

When you tightened down the bolt, did your backing plate stop spinning? I've got the bolt tightened so that it is going to take a lot of effort to keep tightening, but the backing plate will still spin around some if I spin the D-ring.

 

I used the recommended location on my prior truck (2005 Prerunner) and they were fine. Very solid. I will be using the bed bolts this time as I prefer to have a low tie down to keep things from sliding.

 

I have a '07 short bed and bought a set of the toyota D-rings, same as those that come stock in the rear of the bed and drilled out the outter 2 rain drain holes in the front of the bed and mounted them there. I put a large fender washer on the back and so far so good. 3 years of hauling my motorcycle around and no issues at all. I wanted mine further towards the front than the bed bolts to hold the bike against the front wall.