GROUP BUY: Toyota Australia Ute Bed Tray for 2nd/3rd Gen Tacomas

the tube headboard is extremely nice

 

Liking the Rage reference.

 

Looked all over town for mounting bolts. The need is for M12 1.25 pitch 3.5” or so or longer. Fastenal wanted $36 for four. The Ace Hardware had them for something like $4 a piece

 

The bed came off remarkably easily

 

Soapy scrub down of rear chassis and rear of cab. Looks like the bat mobile or F1 car with the tires fully exposed

 

Tube headboard installed. Found some blood from some Australian worker who assembled part of the headboard at the factory.

 

It's pretty much a rule to leave some blood behind on any "real" project, but usually I at least know whose it is!

 

This hose had to be extended in order to twist the filler assembly sideways. I twisted it so the filler assembly cleared the bed.

 

Guys and Gals

I am exhausted. I have finished installing the bed. Photos and details tomorrow. I still need to:

-Wire up the little parking lights and turn signal lights
-Adjust the latches
-Install the rear rack
-Figure out a bumper
-Figure out license plate lights
-Clean up the frame

 

Apple picking

 

The fruits

 

Not gonna lie, if my bed got totaled and I kept the truck I would totally love something like this.

 

If my bed got totaled and I couldn’t find another bed after 1 year of searching, I would do this.

 

Let me begin my review with ordering and logistics.

I began looking at this bed about a year ago for my 70 series land cruiser (www.instagram.com/redlandcruiser), but decided instead that I would buy a Tacoma and install it on that.

Randy owns UteLtd and is your point person. I found getting information to be cumbersome, despite how helpful Randy was. His website is a mix of old information and products as well as new, which makes picking out what you want or need, and finding out what it will cost, difficult and uncertain. I hope Randy overhauls his website and makes it as easy as using some drop down menus to pick your bed, given your make and model. It also would be nice to see compatible accessories and pricing.

I placed the order on 31 July and received it on the 2nd of October. The wait is long, because they are often built-to-order, then shipped from Australia to Seattle, then on to wherever you are located. I wasn’t hugely jazzed about the wait, and while Randy is happy to update you, I didn’t enjoy having to check in every few weeks.

The worst part of the entire process for me was driving to Boston to collect the item from the Pilot Freight terminal. I could have paid extra to have it delivered to New Hampshire. I recommend paying for the extra service to your business, home, or installer. The traffic and securing the load were a real pain.

After returning home, I was able to begin the install.

 

@Reinhardtius thanks for all the update man, but you're a tease! Could you please upload some more final pictures of the bed on your Taco

 

Okay okay some photos in between my review

 

Zarges transport case and Toyota decal not included. Please do not give me too hard a time on my parkjob.

 

Truck looks awesome. Did you paint your mud flaps black? Mine came white and I painted them black. It’s held up well, but I always wished they came in black.

 

Thanks, I painted them black, too. I think the paint will peel, as it was not a great paint. I'll plasti-dip them if they start to peel.

I am extremely happy with the bed overall. It took awhile to put together, but it was worth it, I think.

 

whats the weight difference between the stock bed and the ute?