What Have You Done To Your 3rd Gen Today?

Gave it a wash then installed my new AllPro Offroad Apex modular bed rack.

 

I know what I'm doing to my truck next! Thanks

 

I'll definitely finish the steps with this:

$14 MGN - Value Pack - Heavy Duty Anti Slip Grip Tape - 4" x 60 FT Non-Slip Tape, Indoor & Outdoor Waterproof Stair Treads Non-Slip, Non-Skid Tape for Stair Steps Ramp - Anti Slip Traction Tape Strips

MGN 2X Longer Heavy Duty Anti Slip Grip Tape - 4" x 60 FT Non-Slip Tape, Indoor & Outdoor Waterproof Stair Treads Non-Slip, Non-Skid Tape for Stair Steps Ramp - Anti Slip Traction Tape Strips - Amazon.com

 

Installed the Tufskinz mud flaps with 4WD lettering on it.

also completed installation of the bed stiffener, meso custom total tail light conversion and diode dynamics c1r rear facing light.

 

Pardon my ignorance, but what is the primary benefit of the bed stiffeners, aside from the obvious bed stiffening.

 

Well, that would definitely be the primary benefit. A secondary benefit would be extra tie down spots.

 

But, why does the bed need to be stiffer? What is the benefit of that? That's really my question...could have just asked that the first time, I guess.

 

I found it useful in terms of purely reducing the bed bouncing effect that would put stress on the bed sidewalk, also I plan on putting a bed camper on top of the bed sidewall, which would benefit from having bed stiffener to reduce the splaying effect acting on the sidewall close to the tailgate end.

 

I just installed mine this past weekend/Friday.

I plan on buying a Diamondback Tonneau cover...at some point...it weighs roughly 125 lbs.

The bed stiffeners provide support to the tail end since the front section of the bed is squared off.

The bed stiffeners "intent" is to keep the metal in the tail section from bowing since it is not squared off with the tailgate.

Not the best explanation but...you get the gist.

 

I like your setup what front bumper is that and do you have stock suspension?

 

Here ya go:
Bed Stiffeners - What do they do? Do I need them? | Tacoma World

TLDR - added weight (such as bed rack/camper shell/RTT/etc) can aid in the bedsides cracking and moving away from flex in the bed, creating an uneven gap/causing separation/tailgate misalignment/etc.

Imagine you welded a perfect square. Now imagine you welded a perfect square with gussets in each corner. Which is stronger? Bed stiffeners are just gussets for the bed.

 

Thats ATH, At The Helm. Really like the bumper, the welds are great. And it comes with frame tie in brackets.
Just have billie 5100’s up front, 650lb springs on the second perch

 

This real-life report is (visually, at least) an extreme use, but shows how extreme stresses on the furthest-back sidewall sections can be beyond design limits.

 

The newer ratchet straps can really deflect side panels. I built my own and installed them with multiple tie down holes. Now I can crank a load down without worrying about tacoing my truck. I wasn’t aware of the bed stiffeners till I saw them on this thread. Thanks to TW I got piece of mind when tying stuff down securely.

 

Yeah lol.

Tuxmat

 

National Weather Service Totals and the grill on my deck (ya, hold the comments on how disgusting that looks). Still nothing like Tahoe got.

 

My neighbor detailed it for me (3rd gen. in the background)...

When he started:



When he finished...

 

They work haha. Can align the truck and get decent caster and camber without having any adjustability on the arm itself. I literally only got these specific ones because I needed a set ASAP and I found this locally. I did have Icon on my previous Tacoma and I must say the ball joints on these are more durable. Total Chaos is top notch quality so can’t go wrong with that either. Cheers

 

Looks great! I need a neighbor like that!