What Have You Done To Your 3rd Gen Today?

I’ve seen a few posts about bed stiffeners lately is it just a feel thing or is it very noticeable after they’re installed?

 

My DRL are still on. Not blacked out by any stretch of the imagination. Also have fogs available if I think I need them (separate switch).

 

Sure do like that Smokey the Bear patch!

 

try filling at $4.33, up here that’s $5.78 Yuan uh err I mean Canadian $$

 

They also have a green version now that I like a lot too. Link below

Smokey - Only You Can Prevent Socialism - 2" x 3" Patch (gadsdenandculpeper.com)

 

Not noticeable after installation.

But what is noticeable is a bed wall collapse without the stiffeners installed.

 

Love the TRD Meatball, I'm guessing Dump Box?

 

yes sir Dump Box

Dangerous Goods®️ TRD Lunar Meatball PVC Patch | DUMP BOX

 

1st thing is I love steel front and rear bumpers. Not trying to be a negative Nancy here but I would like to clarify a misconception regarding steel rear bumpers on 3rd gens. The only extra protection that they provide is saving the plastic oem bumper caps in very minor accidents. A friend of mine added a nice steel rear bumper to a 2020 Off Road. He was hit in the rear at roughly 40 mph. His truck was a total loss. The bumper was not badly damaged however the engineered crumple zone frame, under the bed, did buckle and that bumper did nothing to save his truck. At least the insurance company added the new bumper cost to the value. It may be a better bumper but it is still connected to a frame designed to bend on impact. In comparison I was rear ended in a 2nd gen Tacoma, in 2015, while sitting at a stop light, at around 30 mph. The kid never hit his brakes. His car was a total loss. I polished his paint off of my 2nd gen chrome rear bumper and there was no frame damage. All that I had was a couple of small dents in that bumper.

 

It would have been nice if Toyota did make the frame out of paper mache. I sold my oem bumper to someone who bought salvage 2018, the air bags didn't even deploy and the insurance company totaled it.

 

guess aftermarket ones have different installation steps...I also had a hard time getting my hands/arm between things to get the zip ties on but overall it was a pretty straight forward installation.

 

So only necessary if you’re carrying heavy heavy weight on the bed walls…gotcha thanks

 

That's nice, but I'm not too sure about running the bottom ones. You just plugged the doors from expelling any water that gets in there. The weep holes allow for water to drain out of the door

 

Where did u get the weather stripping and what size

 

i noticed my bed doesn't flex as much now that i have mine installed.

 

Everything I've seen suggests they're a fad, bed cracking does not seem to be a widespread issue but people claim it is

 

Although I don't have the use for bed stiffeners because I have BillieBars installed for my specific application, I would think any extra support to the bed walls is a good thing if you are going to cap it with 150 lbs.+ topper or mount a tent with 2+ people sleeping in it.

 

Maybe with cargo, a heavy topper, and a rooftop tent?


I personally find ground-based camping sufficient and more affordable.

 

I bet the bullet after sitting on the snorkel for the last 2 months.

 

I really like the height of those Chaos Bed Stiffeners.