Bed stiffeners

What a nice offer!

I can't see (atm) how that could work, but it might be worth a phone call from my end!

Thanks!

 

Their site is poorly designed that way. They still have the product on there so people can order and then be let down. Crappy way to run a business.

 

I think your only option at this point is to cancel. I’m suggesting to call a store to see if you can cancel rather than calling the number provided on the website if that number isn’t any use.

 

I recall those; I made the offer that if someone can make the template, I would make that person a set for free.

 

The web master at that outfit needs to up their game ;-)

 

I’ll try to keep this in mind if I ever take mine off.

 

Odd that I can add to cart lol, using Brave.

 

You can even give them your money, and they may or may not get back to you to cancel it.

 

Yeah maybe xzibit would come thru to watch me stiffen the stiffener since I like the bed to be stiff

 

If your gonna spend over $100, the 4Wheel Parts stiffener was actually designed with some thought. Otherwise, every other brand is gonna be an external bed obstruction. I researched TW and lot's of internet search's. 4WP had the only internal stiffener. Some guys really like the look of the external stiffener, just not my cup of tea since I'm always using my bed as a truck bed.

 

I may end of having a set for sale if I cant get the bolts out of my bed. Previous owner had the bed rhino lined. I am having trouble getting the vertical upright bolts loose

 

about a month ago i purchased bed stiffeners from victory offroad. they were just under $150 and shipped free.

they do not protrude into the bed too far. i use my truck to haul ladders, materials, and tools for work and home and the bed stiffeners are never in the way.

i was skeptical but after driving with them for a while now, there is a noticeable difference in the rigidity of the truck on gravel roads. it feels better. the bed stiffeners from victory off road are well-made and i recommend them.

 

Commenting as an engineer, the design of these is almost useless for doing what they are supposed to accomplish (stiffening the bed corners to stop the bedsides from spreading), since the most important area for strength (the metal at the corner--see my attached markup) has been cut away. The whole purpose of these is to stop spreading of the bed sides and this cutout almost renders this "stiffener" useless.
A lot of so-called stiffeners are manufactured this way, I assume, because it is quite a bit cheaper. Don't recommend any of them. Look for one that has a continuous piece of metal in this location. Also the really short ones (with arms of 3 to 4'') won't do the job either. Probably 6" to 8" long arms are the sweet spot. Longer arms don't hurt as far as strength but won't add any real extra strength either.

Also they are made a lot stronger by having the pieces that everyone hates (in this design they are the pieces with all the cutouts in them). These pieces stiffen the stiffener and make it stronger. (but not enough to make up for the corner cutout) I see lots of commentary at how some stiffeners are "better" by being almost flat to the sides and the beds by not having these. They may be "better" for looks or making it easier to put things in your bed but they are pretty useless as stiffeners.

Having said all this, buy what you want, but if you want a stiffener don't buy these or similar ones with the corners cut out or ones with short legs.

Also stainless is really an outrageous waste. Nothing else on your truck is stainless. Paint is fine.

 

I have Cali raised. I recommend buying the cheapest set you can find! GL OP

 

Here's how I remedied the weak bedsides in my Tacoma. (Fabbing done by a local build shop, back before I became comfortable w/ a grinder & MIG welding.) 1/4" steel plate, the cross-bar is continuous to the other bed side. Same setup at the front inside corners also.

 

Now THAT is going over and above. Quite some overkill but those bed sides won't be moving.

 

I like that you pointed that bit out.

I can tell you right now the reason why that part was cut out is to expedite manufacturing.

Parts are CNC cut, then bent as part, only to be done when powder coated.

Can't be any simpler than that.

I bend mine and weld them at the bends, especially tying in that bottom corner.

 

I use the truck for work & like being able to load it up as heavy as I please & not worry about it. The main reason it's built like that is to transfer loads from the KargoMaster roof rack (rated 1000 lbs cargo capacity) and the ARE DCU cap (~280ish lbs) directly to the frame. (Although technically the loads are going through the 4 composite bed mounting posts into the frame, which may accelerate wear on the bed mounting posts. No slap/clunk there yet; elsewhere there is a good thread on TW about how people have solved that with the right size & type of thick flexible washer.)

Just upgraded from stock suspension & springs to Fox 2.5's all corners and Deaver U402 stage IIIs. Have yet to try fully loading it up and am optimistic it'll finally be able to carry 1200 lbs of cargo + a 300-400 lb trailer tongue load without squatting to the bump stops. I don't do this regularly, only from time to time.

 

Very well done! What you have done looks like the optimized version of a bed stiffener. Not too long, not too short, corners complete. Looks really good from strength and versatility points of view.

And I agree 100% with your reasoning as to why the manufacturers cut out the corners. Cheaper and faster (and their customers don't know any better)

 

Did you put these through your rigorous testing?

https://www.chaosfab.com/product/2016-2022-Toyota-Tacoma-Rear-Channel-Bed-Stiffeners-48676