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What’s behind this panel in the bed?

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by DirtyFrank, May 28, 2019.

  1. May 28, 2019 at 10:19 AM
    #1
    DirtyFrank

    DirtyFrank [OP] Well-Known Member

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    7CDE045E-FB78-47E2-AA00-554B1AA43270.jpg 06BF31D3-F45B-48B4-8748-E87D779D75FE.jpg Would anyone know what’s behind these panels? I have an Ultraflex tonneau that I added the rail drains to in the back. However the drain hoses were getting in the way this weekend when I was shoveling a few loads of mulch out of the bed. I’m thinking of drilling holes to route the hoses but I don’t know if I’ll poke anything sensitive or where exactly water might wind up. Any help is appreciated.
     
  2. May 28, 2019 at 10:23 AM
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    DirtyFrank

    DirtyFrank [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Those panels are metal though (rust potential if drilled through), so my other thought was to route the hoses over here on the top of this ledge. Where it’s the composite material. Opinions?E4E7F836-8C32-4C83-9809-DF5602E5128B.jpgA79AFA35-E85B-4749-8157-86C78312C1C1.jpg
     
  3. May 28, 2019 at 10:24 AM
    #3
    THE_KiRRAx

    THE_KiRRAx Well-Known Member

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    You may want to take your tail lights off to get a good look behind there but if I remember correctly that's the same pillar you drill through when mounting the bed rail stiffeners sold here so you should be fairly safe depending on where you drill.
     
    tonered and Gunshot-6A like this.
  4. May 28, 2019 at 10:25 AM
    #4
    Gunshot-6A

    Gunshot-6A Prime Beef

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    There's nothing of note behind those bump outs. People drill out that area for bed stiffeners all the time.

    You can pop your taillights off and look for yourself. Other than a small brace or two, that's all dead air.
     
    LoMa, trekker and tonered like this.
  5. May 28, 2019 at 10:25 AM
    #5
    DirtyFrank

    DirtyFrank [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Good idea. Thanks for the info and the suggestion
     
  6. May 28, 2019 at 10:26 AM
    #6
    tonered

    tonered bartheloni

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    Just the tail light area.

    The remove the top and bottom (or second from the bottom) bolts in your picture. Then, pulling backward on the light will expose that area.


    If you drill the stanchion, just paint it / seal it and it will be fine. The stanchions are commonly drilled when installing bed stiffeners.
     
    shakerhood likes this.
  7. May 28, 2019 at 10:26 AM
    #7
    DirtyFrank

    DirtyFrank [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Great. Thanks.
     
    Gunshot-6A[QUOTED] likes this.
  8. May 28, 2019 at 10:28 AM
    #8
    DirtyFrank

    DirtyFrank [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I would call 3 identical opinions in 2 minutes a consensus. Thank you
     
  9. May 28, 2019 at 10:29 AM
    #9
    tonered

    tonered bartheloni

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    Yeah. Watch out or you'll get the idea that bed stiffeners might be in your future.

    :cheers:
     
  10. May 28, 2019 at 10:37 AM
    #10
    DirtyFrank

    DirtyFrank [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Had to google stiffeners and their benefits. Prolly not in my future but I appreciate the warning!
     
    tonered[QUOTED] likes this.

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