2015 TRD Pro: 3.5K miles on and few issues that concerns me

#1 Frame flexing. This is pretty “visible” to put it lightly. Just driving at h/w speeds, I can see (in my rear view mirror) the bed pulsating on rough patches.
Question: Is this normal?

#2 Plastic in bed: The tailgate lip (the plastic overlay) has a quarter size hole from ATV loading. I get-it, it’s my fault to have it nicked. But plastic on bed?
Question: What kind of protection do you guys have on your bed? Any diamond plate covers out there?

#3 Anyone rhino lined your bed? the bed is damn smooth. I need the bed to stop skidding small items.

 

All those things are weak points in the Tacoma. The frame is weak, the bed/tailgate is horrible, etc etc. THere's some fab shops that make tailgate reinforcements and things to put on the bed, someone else will probably reply with links. I'm too lazy to look them up

And with the bed sliding stuff around, I would buy a bed mat first before rhino lining the whole thing.

 

The entire inner bed is plastic. The only steel is the exterior body panels, which is probably what you see flexing in addition to the frame at high speeds.

For the sliding issue, I bought a rubber bed mat and it's put an end to things sliding around. Too much sometimes, as I have to remove it when I load the whole bed up so I can slide things easier. It's super difficult otherwise.

 

Bed Mat will help with stuff sliding around make sure you get the right size LB or SB:

$189 Genuine Toyota Accessories PT580-35050-SB Bed Mat for Short Bed Tacoma Models Black, 59 1/2" L X 52 1/2" W X 3/8" H

http://www.amazon.com/Genuine-Toyota-Accessories-PT580-35050-SB-Select/dp/B00B1TNQCS

Our beds are all plastic so not much you can do..as far as the tailgate you can get reinforcement like this:
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/29117-weak-tailgate-reinforcement-solution.html

and your gonna have to live with the frame

If you wanna go with a spray on liner check here:

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/209475-spray-bed-liner.html

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/1st-gen-tacomas/209218-best-spray-bedliner.html

goodluck!

 

Composite bed.... yes, I like it. I've had other trucks that have rusted holes in the bed after a few years. Nothing like small children falling through rust holes in the bed to ruin your day.

 

1) Never have noticed this before, but looks like others have commented on it. I'll need to take a look next time I'm driving

2) How did that happen? I load my ATV tons throughout summer and can't think of a way this may occur. Not making a jab, just truly curious and maybe something that I can avoid in the future

3) OEM bed mat workes awesome for exactly this. Also nice and light weight so easy to remove when you don't want it in there

 

QFT.

 

On 2nd gens, sometimes when I'm driving behind one, I see one with the bed that shakes like crazy looking like it has Parkinsons disease. Then I see another one that has a bed that has no shake, solid as a rock. This based on going on the road everyday.

 

The frames on the Tacoma are much stronger than you think. .. A truck frame made too 'stiff' meaning there is little to no flex during normal driving, will feel solid on the road, but not good when getting real rough, meaning it's more likely to permanently deform than say a good C-channel frame like the Super-Duty's. The F-150 and 1/2 ton Dodge frame's are shit because they are made WAY too stiff and ride on the road great because customers demand a more car-like solid ride and sacrifice the trucks ability to take a beating. A frame made to flex a little more can withstand more punishment.
The Tacoma's frame is Boxed front, double C-channel in the rear, meaning it's designed to flex more during low frequency impacts to absorb the high frequency hard hitting stuff and remain straight when settled. Not saying Tacoma's are as strong as Ford S.D., but when studied carefully it's impressive and can take a beating.
The Tundra's frame is mostly boxed, but that's based on the 200 Land Cruiser that is super strong, but not the right choice for a pick-up because it 'jitters' over rough terrain for being too stiff, leading drivers to a 'loose' not solid feeling.. but that's what what they had to play with.

The plastic bed in the Taco is not good in the front section, and corrosion protection is weak, maybe 2016 it will be all addressed

I'll also say this: Stock suspension on the Tacoma is garbage, the softness actually causes more visual deflection between the cab and bed.. stiffer springs/dampers is a must (I Chose OME with leaf packs... perfect) to truly get the most from the chassis in-terms of handling/stability, load capacity and towing, plus the way I see in the mirror, less bounce.

 

KB voodoo makes awesome tailgate reinforcement caps to get rid of the shitty stock plastic one and strengthen the tailgate from bending, he even makes them for the bed sides too.
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2n...ailgate-cap-system-ready-ship-sale-price.html

 

It didnt come with a bed mat?
Also it's uni body const. It's going to flex

 

Umm wut? Tacoma is not unibody, nor do any new trucks come with a bed mat unless it was an add on. Again, umm wut?

 

There are three vendors that makes reinforcements for the bed.
KB Voodoo: Tailgate cap and bedside rails among other things
ArsenJ0365: Tailgate cap and tailgate skin replacement, claims to have others pending
Relentless Fab: Everything

 

1. Normal, it's really not that bad.

2. Be honest, you did a lot more than just 'nick' it... Sure, the bed is composite but it still takes quite a bit to put a hole in it.

3. Rubber bed mat.

 

I was gonna add something but Pugga pretty much nailed it.

Nothing wrong with a lil flex on our truck. I take it, it's your(OP) first truck?

 

An amendment to this post:
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/354583-holiday-sale-kb-voodoo-fabrications.html

 

I felt deceived when I discovered this myself... I certainly did not do my homework.

 

I do not use ramps. Instead I lift the front up and walk the quad until the front tires land on tail gate, then lift the back into the bed. The belly got hooked.

 

That is a tasty truck.

 

Stop whining it's just twerking...it's a Toyota feature http://youtu.be/EIT3S4_mz1U