1. Welcome to Tacoma World!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tacoma discussion topics
    • Communicate privately with other Tacoma owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site
    Quick Links: Block heater/winterization advice needed Anyone used these Rockford Fosgate speakers? 5100's for TRD Sport 4x4 Just noticed this on Rigid's site, my next mod... Ravenol MT 75W-90? Anyone using it? Installing Dual Fast Charge USB Ports where wireless charge button is

Drilling in bed ?? Not sure

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by HappyHour, Oct 4, 2019.

  1. Oct 4, 2019 at 9:47 AM
    #1
    HappyHour

    #1
    HappyHour [OP] Active Member

    Joined:
    Sep 8, 2017
    Member:
    #229489
    Messages:
    30
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    17 TRD OffRoad
    Lift - Brushbar
    Hey Taco Lovers. LOL it's taco day.

    If you look at the pic, I had my antenna mounted on the rail, but I need to move it. Do you see the center holes that came with the truck? I want to drill holes in this plate too for the antenna mount. Also in yellow, are little screws. Can I simply unscrew these and this whole plate come off? Has anyone drilled into this plate before?

    Thanks.

    taco1.jpg
     
    HappyHour, Oct 4, 2019
    #1
  2. Oct 4, 2019 at 9:50 AM
    #2
    CttAznRanger

    #2
    CttAznRanger Crazy NE Asian with the Cali Lean (temporary)

    Joined:
    Dec 3, 2018
    Member:
    #274702
    Messages:
    4,586
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Brandon
    Boston, MA
    Vehicle:
    2018 Tacoma TRD Sport
    I would personally suggest getting a corner mount instead of drilling through that piece.

    If you unscrew all 5 screws along the bottom where your yellow arrows point, the whole thing will lift off.
     
    CttAznRanger, Oct 4, 2019
    #2
  3. Oct 4, 2019 at 9:51 AM
    #3
    john221us

    #3
    john221us Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 22, 2018
    Member:
    #276597
    Messages:
    303
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    John
    Rocklin, CA (Sacramento)
    Vehicle:
    2019 Toyota Tacoma Limited
    Bed Mat
    john221us, Oct 4, 2019
    #3
    tonered, GreyBaldTaco and CttAznRanger like this.
  4. Oct 4, 2019 at 10:24 AM
    #4
    Tacospike

    #4
    Tacospike Semi-Unknown Custodial Member

    Joined:
    Nov 19, 2018
    Member:
    #273198
    Messages:
    14,419
    Gender:
    Male
    512
    Vehicle:
    16 Tacoma TRD Sport DCSB / 17 Tundra 5.7L 4X4 CM
    Two Trucks
    I agree with this. I use this bed rail for a rear facing pods and cargo net
     
    Tacospike, Oct 4, 2019
    #4
    tonered, CttAznRanger and GreyBaldTaco like this.
  5. Oct 4, 2019 at 10:32 AM
    #5
    CrispyTacoLover

    #5
    CrispyTacoLover Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 27, 2019
    Member:
    #297647
    Messages:
    3,417
    Gender:
    Male
    Before you do anything, buy
    $56 PT278-35100-BH Truck Bed Header Rail
    PT278-35100-BH

    It can be had for a little over $30 if you shop around. Tacomaworld provided a link to it on Amazon.com. The price there used to be about $35 but seems to have increased. Shop wisely.

    That's the track that is missing from the front of 3rd gen Tacomas. Then as suggested, buy some corner brackets. No drilling is needed.
     
    Last edited: Oct 4, 2019
    CrispyTacoLover, Oct 4, 2019
    #5
    Chew likes this.
  6. Oct 4, 2019 at 10:35 AM
    #6
    CttAznRanger

    #6
    CttAznRanger Crazy NE Asian with the Cali Lean (temporary)

    Joined:
    Dec 3, 2018
    Member:
    #274702
    Messages:
    4,586
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Brandon
    Boston, MA
    Vehicle:
    2018 Tacoma TRD Sport
    @CrispyTacoLover I saw that quick fix move, lol.

    @HappyHour Definitely get the rail and a corner brackets, or some antenna bracket if anything. This way no permanent damage happens to that metal piece. If anything does happen you can always remove it and bring it back to stock.
     
    CttAznRanger, Oct 4, 2019
    #6
  7. Oct 4, 2019 at 12:00 PM
    #7
    tonered

    #7
    tonered bartheloni

    Joined:
    Sep 25, 2017
    Member:
    #231055
    Messages:
    30,548
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    tony
    Lynnwood, WA

    Also note that drilling there is not a good idea since there are nut clips on the bed wall that the header and accessory rails bolt into. Beyond that if you do drill, use a drill stop so that you don't knick the cab or worse.

    :cheers:
     
    tonered, Oct 4, 2019
    #7
    Chew likes this.
  8. Oct 4, 2019 at 12:01 PM
    #8
    mutely

    #8
    mutely Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 15, 2017
    Member:
    #210640
    Messages:
    1,848
    Vehicle:
    TRD Pro in metallic primer
    That metal piece actually reinforces the bed and is super thin. Drilling holes in the box section will only weaken it, but if you must do it, do it from the front (like the 2 OEM holes for the tonneau) and not the top. It’s to strength the bed from flexing into the cab, so drilling in the front won’t hurt, but drilling in the top will.
    As others said, there are better alternatives. And BTW, that’s a $200 piece from Toyota Incase you wan to go back to stock after drilling.
     
    mutely, Oct 4, 2019
    #8

Products Discussed in

Genuine Toyota Accessories PT278-35100-BH Truck Bed Header Rail
$55.80
To Top