Adding bed stiffeners and have a couple questions while installing.

Hello fellow taco makers. I was going to install bed stiffeners to a truck that already has a ARE camper shell on and a deck system covering the bed. Will the total chaos stiffeners clear the draws and should I take the camper off to release the pressure to the sides of the bed.

 

What do you mean by "clear the draws"?

The tailgate support cables?

Yes the TC stiffeners (I have them) don't interfere with the cables at all they're recessed into the bed a tad, inline with the rear most bed attachment bolts.

You will have to remove the tail lights so you don't drill into them and to be able to fasten the nuts on the backside.

I also recommend spraying the threads on the bottom with PB blaster or similar as they tend to get corroded and can be hard to remove and you will need to remove them as the stiffeners install under those bolts.

Yes you should take all the weight off the bed sides and out of the bed and possibly use a ratchet strap to pull the bed rails in until the gaps on your tailgate are even and there's minimal gap between the stiffeners and the surfaces when the tailgate is closed before marking and drilling your bed sides and floor for the hardware.

 

Welcome to TacomaWorld

 

Welcome to the TW

 

Welcome to TW. I believe the drawers will clear the TC stiffeners. I'm checking with a friend who has the same setup and waiting for his reply. I don't remember him bitching about it so that's a good indicator.

 

Awesome info, Key-Rey. I'm running the deck drawers in my bed and was hoping it wouldn't interfere with opening them

 

Oh yeah no they should clear just fine, the tie down loops on the stiffeners don't stick out much and the feet are lower profile than the bed ribs.

IIRC I've seen at least 2 people running TC stiffeners with the Decked system without issue.

 

Welcome to Taco World! I've got Decked drawers and Rago Fab stiffeners, no interference at all.

 

Welcome to TW!

 

Awesome info and love of the truck. A rabbit hole... one hell oh rabbit hole