OEM Bed Extender Install Write-Up

Here's a bump for a silly question, what are the inner dimensions of a 45 degree bed extender with the tailgate closed? will a 65qt YETI fit in the space?

 

I just finished this install on my Gen 3. Purchased from the dealer and my templates were also slightly off, definitely check them. I'm adding a couple of pictures for fellow OCDers:


Blue Circles: the bolts you remove during the install.
Red Circles: the bolts you do not have to remove

My taillights were on there pretty snug and required a decent amount of force pulling straight back with some rocking thrown in for good measure. I was worried about breaking a clip or something because it seemed like it was requiring too much force. In the pics below I circled the locations where the taillights snap in just as an FYI.

 

One thing I'm curiouse about these is that when you unloading a dirt bike or quad etc... do you have to take the extender off before you can unload them or how does it work?

 

So...why do you have to remove the lights? Just concern over hitting them with the drill?

 

I wish I would've seen this before I installed mine. I stripped the top bolt by accident. Whoops. Did you use any other washers? My brackets became loose due to the rattling of the truck.

 

I just completed install of the tailgate extender. Just wanted to give a heads up that the templates provided were not to the correct scale. It actually acknowledges that it might be an issue and you should measure to confirm. I used the printed measurements to locate one hole by tape measure, then placed the bracket over top of my marked hole and used it as the template for the remaining two holes. Hope this helps avoid any "extra" holes.

 

I picked up a bed extender today that someone had installed on a 2010. I need to get the installation brackets that bolt to the bedsides for my 2014. Anyone know if the brackets are still available?

 

Can someone please tell me what these are-- the two long skinny pieces?

Also, are the brackets metal or molded plastic?

 

Bump

 

The skinny pieces connect to the release lever and serve as the spring when you go to remove the bed extender. I'll have to take pics if that doesn't make sense. Sorry! I believe they are metal brackets. I ordered the same OEM parts.

 

Pictures Plz...

 

Just received my brackets today. One of the long skinny pieces was already installed on one bracket so I was able to see how they work.

I'm usually pretty good at figuring stuff out, but had I not seen one put together I would not have figured this one out!

 

A note for future installers....

When I went to the Tacoma install link and printed from the internet, my computer settings defaulted to 93% scaled. That was too small (the templates on the last two pages were not printed true to scale). Printed at 100% was too large. I discovered that when I printed at 96%, the templates were correct to scale.

I don't know if this translates to everyone or if this is specific to my printer/computer combo. In any case, don't just print it off and think you're good to go.

DOUBLE CHECK your printed template and adjust PRINTER scale as necessary. There is a 1.5" line and a 7 1/8" line on the templates. Simply measure those two lines to check scale. Your first printout will likely be too large or too small.

(I think this was mentioned previously in thread, but just wanted to note my experience)

 

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I lost this thread and found it again.] ...

After moving I can't find my brackets and need to reorder them ... anybody know that part number for those brackets ?

 

I just installed a used 'Toyota' brand one of these in my 2015. Had looked at the bracket availability in case I was missing parts, etc. Near as I can tell, AMP Research is the actual manufacturer on these.
There are two different style brackets available.

AMP Research

$18 74608-01A | Fits Universal

74608-01A is one option. Simple brackets, but no latch arm. $20.49 for the set currently on Amazon.
These are what were with mine and they worked fine. Rotate bed extender to about 50 degrees and lift out.

$40 AMP Research 74605-01A | Fits Recommended for Tonneaus & Shells

AMP Research 74605-01A is another. This is the style noted above with the latch arm. $30.44 for the set, also currently on Amazon.
The Toyota

$38 PT329-35051 Bed Extender Bracket Kit

PT329-35051 equivalent is currently $39.83 on Amazon for comparison. No idea what they cost over the counter at the dealership.

Ran into the same scaling issue with the templates (found install instructions online) as others have mentioned. Printed as 'fit to page' and it scaled to something like 93%. At 100%, scale was correct (at least on my printer set up.)

 

Now that I have the "latched" version of the brackets in hand (OEM from Amazon- ~$40), I think I'd prefer the non-latched version. I like the idea of lifting/rotating the extender to install and remove, as it will be locked in place when lowered. It just seems like a simpler set-up than messing with latches.

I've not installed yet so I can't say for certain which I'd prefer. With the latches, do you have to simultaneously release both latches to remove the extender?

 

Here is the OEM part. Comes with everything you need.



These next three are all AMP Research products. The first one ($30.10) looks the same as OEM, but without bolts and washers.


No latches on this next one-- rotate extender 45° to remove. To me, this one looks the most user-friendly and/or convenient. Anyone have any complaints about this one? I only assume it will work.


Not sure if this one will work? Cheapest one I found.


Edit: disregard the one for $18 (attached below). It's a part for a Tundra and it's an incorrect photo on the Amazon page.

 

The

$18 74608-01A | Fits Universal

74608-01A is the style that I have. Mine had M5 button head cap screws and flange nuts with, though, rather than self-tapping screws. Given the loading they'd see I don't think it really makes any difference.
For a couple bucks, button heads and nylock nuts could be bought at the local hardware store.
As for function, they work well. Secure, no rattle, etc and it is very easy to just rotate the extender to the 45 degree position and lift out.

The extender I have is

$305 PT392-35120 Toyota Bed Extender

PT392-35120 and I got the install info online including the drilling templates. Not sure if the drill pattern is different between the styles but am guessing it is.

I don't have any experience with the latch arm style ones but they strike me as awkward since it looks like you have to trip both latches and remove the extender in one combined act.

 

I had the same thought regarding the latches. It'd be so much easier to just lift/tilt the extender and pull it out of the bracket rather than tripping both latches simultaneously.