Best choices for bed stiffeners

This thread was a hilarious read, from "800" year old unrusted swords found in ship wrecks (hint, no steel made is rust proof, especially not in salt water) and "hammering removes carbon;" to the 'I want an engineering white paper on these' type opinions.

My opinions (and we all know what those are like).

Yes, these add structure to the bed, an engineering degree is not needed to know that.

Stainless is more than adequate in this application (assuming an appropriate selection).

A purpose selected and treated carbon steel will outperform a purpose selected and treated stainless steel for toughness. Corrosion resistance probably trumps toughness for this application.

Going all the way to the top is not needed, but adds functionality from a tie down stand point

The corner on the TC stiffiners is more than adequate for this application.

Now, perhaps this thread can get fun again.

 

I prefer a 2x4. Or if you want better stiffness a 2x6 will work. 4x4 is MAX stiffness!

 

What the actual eff does this marketing gimmick do?

 

I think it’s in the name.

 

I made my own

 

this may seem like a stupid question, but after watching their vid and reading their instructions, i'm still having a hard time understanding the orientation of those L-plates. i get that they're behind the bed wall, but is the orientation when mounted, the same as the other bed stiffeners, such that they support against lateral or outward pressure on the sides of the bed?

 

Correct. Download the install instructions.

 

yeah, i read them. thanks for your reply.

 

i got both 4WP and total chaos to compare them. torn between the extra utility of the TC and the hidden-ness of the 4WP. obviously wont be drilling until i decide and return the other.

 

I'm curious for your opinion on the two and which you end up going with. I love how out of the way the 4WP are, but obviously I want to be confident they will do the job they are being installed to do. Thanks!

 

Why bed stiffeners? This makes no sense.

 

You misread it --Its FRED stiffeners, not Bed Stiffeners. THATS why its important.

 

Because the bed is made of composite plastic and with camper shells, roof top tents, racks, etc.. the bedsides on 2nd and 3rd gen tacos have been known to bow outward with extra weight on top of them, especially if you off road a lot and flex the suspension a lot. The stiffeners help keep it all squared up.

 

If you're racing the Baja 500, I get it. Otherwise, I'm baffled.

 

It keeps this…..



…from happening. If the highest your truck will ever be off the ground is on the lift at the mechanic you probably do not need. I ran a set of Carli stiffeners on my 3/4 ton that were much more substantial than what I have on my Taco now (Leitner ACS forged) and had zero issues with the tail gate closing b/c of a warped bed.

 

No one is asking you to buy em.

 

Yes, I've seen that video, but 99% of truck owners don't like to "jump" their trucks like the guy that damaged his truck in the video.

I can also show you a video demonstrating how bullet-proof glass can save your life in a firefight. Will you now install bullet-proof glass?

 

That's a relief!

 

It seems you are really dug into your view point and are keen to make your stance known. Please note that I call out in my comment that if your truck doesn’t leave the ground except for visits to the mechanic, you probably don’t need them.

$129 stiffeners on a $41,000 truck seems like a no brainer to me, but I have the budget. I get why some would not elect to spend that money on what they see as a useless accessory. I get it. But to call them useless or a marketing ploy is wrong. Bed stiffeners are functional and have been used in desert racing and off road applications for decades. Feel free to argue, but please read comments before materially misrepresenting them. I said…