Bed mounting question.

On the 99 taco we just bought there is about a one inch gap between the beds center support rail and the frame (see photo). It looks like that is caused by some rubber strips between the bed and the frame (see other photo). Is that normal? And if not, does anyone have any insight as to why someone might have done this and if there is anything I should consider before removing them?

 

That's not normal, and is likely due to the rubber sheets. Not sure why someone would do that at one point and not all the others, it could be an attempt to quiet a rattle down? Nothing wrong with removing them to get it all to sit flush again.

 

Thanks. I need to replace the fuel pump so I may just pull the bed off to
do that and remove that rubber. Do you know if there is supposed to be any sort of grommet at those contact points or is it just metal on metal?

 

Pulling the bed is a hassle but getting to the top of the tank while working underneath is much worse. Spray the fasteners the day before with penetrant to ease removal. I don't believe there are any sort of grommet between bed or frame. At least I don't recall them when I pulled the bed last year.

 

Bed is mounted metal to metal.

 

Thanks all.