So bed stiffener time???

At minimum, the additional tie down points are a big plus.
So @OP which stiffeners did you end up ordering?

I run the Total Chaos ones and bought it since I carry heavy kayaks off road. I've never had prior issues, but seems like a smart idea to add.

 

Thank you.
So from my understanding bed stiffeners do two things 1.) Keeps the bed from flexing as much off road and 2.) pulls the sides of the bed back in if they have spread out (or keeps them from doing so if they have not yet). Is this correct?

 

Mine does this too. Might have to do with having been rear ended twice.

 

Will do! Thanks!!!

 

...almost

3.) adds a few tie down points/antennae mount/bottle opener (brand dependent)

but yup, that covers it.

Only problem i've come up with is that I like the flippable bed extender, and this will reqire d*ckin' with that mount to keep it.

 

Extra tie down holes are a plus too. Makes a good hitching post for the doggo when we're getting ready for a hike

 

The composite bed gets a lot of negativity, but this happens with steel beds too.

 

I am going with total chaos. They look really good and go all the way up. I like that. The additional tie downs will be a huge plus.

 

Well. It looks like a truck problem then. Lol. Just glad I wasn’t seeing things....

 

yes, that is correct.
For what it’s worth, I have the TC stiffeners and love the extra tie down points without having too much extra bracing exposed that may hinder loading/unloading. The AtTheHelm ones are more boxed, which could have the potential to get caught on more.

 

A few years after I bought my 1st Gen (brand new), I decided to get a topper. When they placed the topper on the bed, I couldn't believe how much the bed had spread. Only minor offroading, nothing real heavy. Fast forward a couple of years when I bought my 2nd Gen, the first purchase was TC bed stiffeners. Not terribly expensive.

 

Yeah seems to be an easy fix.

 

We just started offering these for the 05+ Taco's. Reliable!

 

Today, I finished installing my Total Chaos bed stiffeners in my 2010 DCLB.

As you mentioned, next is dealing with the AMP bed extender. Fortunately, the Total Chaos bed stiffeners design should allow full use of the added tie down points, and will also fit the bed extender mounts.

As for tailgate to bodypanel alignment, did not go crazy measuring or looking, but the clearance gap seems uniform from bottom to top.

 

And they engrave the Patent number right into the metal...

 

Saying that TC has a patent is like saying ARB has a winch bumper patent and nobody else can make one. Unless they’re ripping off the design all the way, I doubt that they’ll care to do anything about it. The beauty of it all is that we as the consumer get to choose which product we like best and roll with it.

 

And or price of said product!

 

mid you don’t mind, share your solution. I’m expecti g to fab some aluminum blocks with through hole/just to bring the mounts in 3/4” overall or so.

 

Oh really?