Slotted T Nuts Golden, Denver area for 2009 deck rails.

Looking to see if you know anyone local that would have the slotted T nuts that fit into a 2009 deck rail. I assume they are all the same year to year but I'm pretty new to Tacoma's.

Also wondering if anyone has replaced the factory rails with something like 7/8" uni strut ( https://www.unistrut.us/product-details/p3300 ) . I'm thinking the uni strut would be stronger. I could also then use spring nuts that are easily available.

Thirdly, has anyone had to retap the bed rail holes and if anyone knows how supported the bed rail sides are? No doubt i am over thinking this for no reason. But any helpful insight is appreciated.

 

It appears you're thinking in the same general direction as I've been. If you have a grinder and some vice grips, you can use the Superstrut channel spring nuts at HD

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Superst...nel-Spring-Nut-5-Pack-ZA1003-8EG-10/100179881

You'll need to grind the ends & trial fit them in the rails, and cut the springs way back. You'll need to temporarily remove the end T30 screws on the factory rails to slide them in. They live nicely in the rail detent slots even without the attachment hardware. There's no reason not to put them in every slot but I only bought one 5-pack and ruined one by cutting it too short rather than grinding & trial fitting. Toyota should have made this standard.

The bed is held down by the T55 bed screws. It is also attached to the bed caps (metal) but I don't know how since I didn't look into that. The rear d-rings are attached to a cross-strut but the front bed loops are just bolted through the plastic bed and backed by a steel plate. This was all for my 2019, I can't image your 2009 is much different other than maybe screw/bolt sizes.