Shackle cross member??? Defined Engineering

Ever since I put my Allpro sliders on I have noticed how stiff the front part of the truck is and I see that the bed seems to move a lot more while going over bumps than what i remember it moving before the sliders. Of course this could all be a product of my imagination. My suspension is still the stock SR5 variety and basically it sucks so that has something to do with the jiggly feeling over bumps. Also I understand it's just a C channel frame back there and it is designed to flex. However mine seems to flex excessively as I said because I have stiffened the front part of the truck with the sliders. Knowing this I...

Need opinions on this product please. Anyone have any experience with a product like this? Does it work? Is this something that would improve the truck? Stiffen it up back there? Thanks for your opinions ahead of time.

Also this company has some nice looking products.http://www.definedengineering.com/products.html







Shackle Mount Cross-member 05^ tacoma

Add some strength to the rear frame of your tacoma with our shackle mount cross-member. Made from dom tube and plate steel ,the cross-member bolts on the the factory shackle bolt holes and connects with 2 easy to drill holes at the x-member thats riveted to the frame.
The shackle buckets have unwanted flexing that occurs with even mild offroad abuse and can cause the buckets to bend outward or even bend the frame in rare instances. The shackle mount cross-member plays an integral part in keeping the rear shackles at the proper geometry for consistent performance . Along with triangulating the rear section of frame together ,it also extends the longevity of stock frame components.

uncoated x-member with grade 8 bolts : 180.00$

Flat black painted x-member with grade 8 bolts : 210.00

 

Im curious about this too. I saw it yesterday. Bump for an answer...

 

I can see how it could do what it says it will do "Stiffen up the Shackle mounts" There "MAY" be some other stiffening benefits to the rear frame but I'm not sure that it will help what you are looking for. That being said I have no experience with this product nor any like it. It does look interesting and if I did more off-roading I might be interested in getting something like that. It doesn't seem very expensive Either.

 

+1, curious also. Maybe a someone could make a group buy thing. I'd be up to try if we could get a little off the price... (but my bed isn't doing what the OP's is)

 

Im wondering about this to...but I think the Tacomas with the tow package along with the rear brace ties everything up I think this just strenghens the shackles but if it stiffens rear frame more I'll but the thing in a heartbeat.

 

yeah I only think mine is moving more because of my sliders. the all-pro sliders really stiffen the frame and their website says that. It's only natural for the unstiffened part of my frame to move more with the front part being braced by the sliders.

This product might not be the answer but it looks like it would only improve the truck and make it more durable no matter what. I would also be interested in a group buy. It's already not that expensive and a possible group buy would make it cheaper.

 

Can't tell from pic or posts.........would this still allow spare to be mounted in it's oem position?

 

Just looked at where this would mount on my '09 DC, and it looks like the spare can't be mounted, or if it can it would be a few inches lower because of the bar angling up on the drivers side. Or maybe shifted to the right some. Dunno

driver's side pic:



Passenger side pic:

 

Yeah I don't know about the spare fitting? Not much room there. But your pics show how cheesy the shackle mounts are. The brace will definitely help in that area. I still haven't had a chance to write or call this company.

 

subbed

 

subbed for Mike to come with an answer.

 

IMO not worth it for your application.

 

You are probably right. This might be a waste of time and money but that is why I started this thread. For discussion since this is a product I have not seen before and could be beneficial to making the truck better. Which is really why I'm even on this forum.

Yes the bed flexes independently, but it's still moving more now then before the sliders. Not any fault of the sliders they are doing as advertised by All-pro. But I do think they have exposed a weak point on these trucks. And I say weak point but I'm sure the frame is sufficient for daily driving and normal tasks. But I can see problems down the road if the truck is used for anything other than normal stuff. I wish my truck had a fully boxed frame like my first gens did.

Good idea on checking the bed bolts. Will do.

As far as new suspension, that is in the plans but no funds right now for that. I should have mentioned I do have the rear leaf TSB and it did stiffen up the back end, which could also be compounding the wiggly noodle effect. I should also say that I had a 2008 Tundra that noodled bad also. The stock Tacomas bed does not move as much over bumps as the stock Tundra does. c-channel frames suck and I feel Toyota only went to that for the ride and price to manufacture.

I think the maker of this product is saying the frame components will last longer while using the brace because it decreases the fatigue of the components from all the flexing. Nothing to do with rust. Metal fatigues over time and the excess flexing will only increase that. Stiffening up the frame will increase the longevity of the frame. The braces on the stock frame are only riveted to the c-channel and those rivets become loose over time also.

 

If it interfers enough to where you cant mount spare anymore it wouldnt be worth it...i would never travel wo a spare plus it adds weight for the winter somewhat but I really want this bar and hopefully OP gets answers

 

It seems this is geared towards offroading.... and to me, serious offroading. I wouldn't think this would apply to light offroading even though they say it does. That being said, I would never mount my spare under the truck when offroading. It's a bad spot if your sunk in mud or sand and also hinders departure angles.

 

Guys, if you wheel or carry loads at all, look at your rear spring hangers, then look at the spring hangers on a new Tacoma. You will instantly see the need for this product. The stock spring hangers are weak and bend outward. Mine are, as are those on many other Tacomas that I've seen. Fresh off the lot, no bend, few year old or modded for trail use, then you'll see the bend.

This is a good product, and I would buy it if it didn't prevent the spare tire from being mounted. So I'm waiting until someone comes out with a shackle flip or I bite the bullet and get an aftermarket rear bumper that had a spare mount.

 

Ill be looking for this "bend" tonight when I get off work.....Not that it really matters with me shackle flip on it's way.