GA Tacoma Owners BS Thread

Got my wheels and tires up for sale.

 

pm sent

 

Question!

Are all bed stiffeners the same? Is there any advantage of getting them from a specific company over another?

 

Yes and no.

Some offer features like a bottle opener built/cut in. Some are different heights. Some are narrower than others (allowing use of bed slides, decked systems, etc.). I'm sure quality of steel comes into play as well.

If you don't have a ton of weight, like a rack and RTT on constantly, I don't see the need.

There is a guy on the forum who I found out about through the Black Friday thread last year who seems to have a good product and offers a half height option. Both of his offerings were very reasonably priced compared to others. I would recommend him, but can't remember his username. At the end of the day, I'd probably get whichever ones were cheapest, as I don't think any of the factors really matter that much...unless you have a decked or bedslide situation going on.

 

Some good info in here: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/best-choices-for-bed-stiffeners.562531/

I'd go with TC based on the first 2 pages of that thread. Also, please don't give CaliRaised any business. They products are cheap quality and they rip off other people's designs.

 

Gonna install my RTT this week so thought I should grab some now. When I was installing the bars, one of them fit pretty easily, but he other one took a good bit of force to get on, I'm guessing cause my bed was already starting to warp. I'm gonna read through the thread and order one asap. Never knew that about caliraised, but makes sense from some reviews I've read.

 

That is all I needed to hear!

 

For y'all looking at bed stiffeners, I would highly recommend @ragofabrication for that sort of thing. I got my ditch light brackets from them.

Melissa was very responsive when I reached out and had questions. They are a veteran owned shop in a small town in Texas. Definitely a small business I would consider again.

 

Like @CowboyTaco said, all bed stiffeners are pretty much the same...but different. Primary differences being size/dimensions and various tie down points. Key similarity is they all accomplish the same thing.

I'm still not convinced they're necessary for every joe that loads up a rack or topper. I've got way too many miles with plenty of weight up top on a couple of Tacos with zero issues to say otherwise. That being said, I do run a set.... And only because I too jumped on the BF deal from the guy on here, whose name I can't recall either (TacoDan something or other).

The Total Chaos ones look to be the best design IMHO. Low profile, good added tie down points, and they extend up the bed side higher than others. They also cost a fair amount vs other options.

 

I feel like I mentioned him once before and @BYJOSHCOOK knew who it was.


Not the same guy, but here a TW member who is making and selling them out of Colorado: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/05-18-toyota-tacoma-bed-stiffeners.649887/

 

These are the ones I have and I think they started their company on tacomaworld.

https://athfab.com/product/bedside-reinforcements-tie-downs-for-05-17-toyota-tacoma/


I like a lot of their products and the bed stiffeners work well with the decked and are the same height.

 

I have Rago bed stiffeners. Would highly recommend. I have several of their products as well as ordered all of my Baja lights through them. They’re a top notch company and a pleasure to deal with.

 

When are going to update your profile pic?
Or is it just a reminder of where it all started?

 

Not that it matters since I'm a first gen, but I got the Rago ones as they were the only ones that actually made any for first gens at the time. Plus I got in on the BF deal.

 

I couldn't let it go and kept digging on some of my old posts. Still can't recall or find his name, but his old for sale thread is locked out. Guess he either got the ban hammer for one reason or another, or he asked to have the thread locked.

 

Taco vs Tree, who won?

 

drove when parked?

 

Wonder if the bed is in decent shape?

 

I think the tree jumped outta no where, they're sneaky like that sometimes

It held better than expected, I'm guessing cause of the cap/camper they have though. Passenger fender looks compressed from the weight
https://www.iaai.com/vehicledetails/40884215?tenant=US&RowNumber=73

 

Damn, I hope there wasn't anyone in there when that tree sprang up.