Total Chaos bed stiffeners with Amp research bed extender

Hey all! So I've only seen this done once before, but it was only a picture with no real description. I wanted a bed extender but also needed bed stiffeners. Here's how I did it.

*Your results may vary and I am in no way responsible for any damages if you choose to follow my write up.


Here's all the products I used:
Total Chaos bed stifferners
Amp research bed extender
6- 1 inch spacers
2- 3/4 inch spacers
4- 1/2 inch spacers
6- #10-24 x 3-in Oval-Head Stainless Steel Standard (SAE) Machine Screws
6- #10 Stainless Steel Standard (SAE) Nylon Insert Lock Nuts

First you need to cut two inches off of each end of each bed extender tube. Sorry I didn't think of doing a write up until after I already cut them. Here's the after math though.



Then mount your bed stiffeners per total chaos' instructions.

After that get the template that came with the bed extenders and cut 3/4'' off the bottom of it. This will allow it to clear the bed stiffener.



Then tape your template onto the bed stiffener. It'll go towards the rear of the truck, in the corner of the bed stiffener up right.

Drill all 6 holes. Install the bed extender brackets with the spacers behind them. 4 of the screws should go through the bed stiffiners, these will need 1 1/2" spacers. The screws that go through the door pillar only will need 1 3/4" spacers.

Then adjust the bed extender width per instructions and install it in the brackets.

 

Great writeup!

 

Any afterthoughts after almost a year using this solution?
I've got the bed extender already, and am considering stiffeners. Don't have the install template for the extender though.

 

@BLKTRUCK For Potential Future Reference.

 

Absolutely love it! My bed is still perfectly straight with a ~300lb topper on it, and I use my bed extender at least 3 or 4 times a month. The only thing I would change is I would do a better paint job on the metal sleeves. Some of the paint is starting to chip. I know, that's small stuff that doesn't matter, but I'll probably try to find some black Stainless Steel ones online to replace them with. Other than that this thing is holding up great! As far as the template if you're pretty good at measuring you could try making your own with just some paper or maybe try to find one online. What brand and model bed extender do you have? Also you'll essentially re-use the holes that are currently there for the bed extender. The only thing you'll need to do is transfer any holes to the bed stiffeners that the stiffiners will cover up. The only thing to be mindful of is the design of bed stiffiners. Make sure that if you use your current holes the bed extender will clear the stiffiners.

 

Thanks for the reply.
I have the AMP Research just like you, but it was there when I bought the truck. The person that installed mine either didn't have the bed mat in when installing, or didn't pay attention. The left side of my tailgate has to really be shoved in to latch all the way, because it presses into the extender, which is pressing down onto the mat. I'd like to move the extender toward the front of the truck just a bit to compensate, but that's obviously not possible without a hack, or plates like these stiffeners would give me.
I have a KB Voodoo rack and RTT that add about 175lbs (dry), plus my recovery tracks, and soon-to-be Hi-Lift, so flex is a concern.

...still considering.

How many holes for the extender mounts did you drill through the stiffeners? If all, then my slight relocation might be easier/better.

 

I only had to drill one hole through the bed extender.

 

Have you done this mod? If so how did it go? Any tips? I also have the Amp Research bed extender and am considering bed stiffeners since I have a bed rack. I plan to get the install template for the extender off their site.

 

I haven't ordered my stiffeners yet. I really need to; it'll probably be my next mod.

 

Could you show on a pic where you cut the 2" off on the bed extender?? I can't tell and am a bit confused.

Thanks!

 

Given he is shortening the width (moving the mounting point in from the rails by an inch toward the center of the truck) it was probably the slip joint.

 

I have an OEM extender.....no slip joint??? Still not sure how this is done.

 

OEM is made by AMP I think - if you were to remove the plastic pieces toward the metal bend and the straight center section - that may cover the slip joint.

See this vid at 1:08
https://youtu.be/XkQFrBhegOk

 

Nettleberger - THANKS for the video.......will have to check out my extender tomorrow.

Really appreciate it!!!

Pops

 

I can confirm that the oem extender is made by AMP Research. The vertical supports have "AMP Research" molded into it. Also, you can adjust the width by slipping the larger side tubes over the middle connecting tubes quite a bit. I just did it right now.

I haven't mounted the extender onto my bed yet.

 

Subbing

 

I did this today. Only finished one side, as my mounting location requires four 3/4" and two 1/2" spacers. I will go exchange them at Lowe's tomorrow and finish.

 

Forgot about this thread

 

Lol same. Now I'm trying to remember where I put my AMP Research side brackets...

 

Thank you! I love my bed extender and am looking into adding bed stiffeners for a RTT. I didn't want to lose any functionality.