Bed Stiffeners are awesome, I finally got a set

The bed flex issue really isn't as big of a deal as everyone makes it out to be.

If you don't run a ladder rack, and strap 600 pounds of hopes, dreams, and camping gear for others to approve of your poor high schooler choices, and use it like a normal vehicle, you'll likely never run into an issue.

This is the same as Subaru motors. Everyone is absolutely convinced they all have head gasket issues. And they do, but only when running incredible amounts of aftermarket boost. Stock, they last just fine.


That said, I got a set of braces simply for the tie down location. I use them more to strap stuff down than the accessory rails

 

A little pricey, but I like mine from 1320 Performancel. I use multiple tie down points every week.

 

Took me a while to find a bed stiffener that I wanted...
I was looking for a set up that wouldn't interfere when dragging gear out of the back (flat plate on the bottom), had a full backing plate, and was made with stainless.

Finally found this mob: https://lfdoffroad.com/products/tac...ifxbhWScbzv5kHOfVMTcsPPPfHcIJ6yq6pwBeMuUyzYV_

Very satisfied!

Cheers

 

There are people on here that have posted photos of the corners of their composite bed cracking. I occasionally have an issue of not being able to close the tailgate if parked on a side slope until I push the bedsides so they are square - honestly! I don’t think I can use these though as it may interfere with my slide out shelf- will have to check out their measurements as my truck gets a lot of time off-road with heavy gear in the back.

 

I had worse cracks than that on my Forest Service work Dakota that was used off-road more than probably 80% of its life. It cracked on the outsides of the fenders! They put in a toolbox but it was only bolted to the bedsides and not the front.

 

Look good and nice price! What are their measurements from corners to ends in both directions? I have a slide out shelf that might hit it but there may be enough room. Thanks!

 

Good info here.

I went with Total Chaos...I forgot how much I paid.

I don't remember crying...just that I'm glad I got them.

 

I was actually talking about crying over the price! lol

"Pay once, Cry once" is the motto when we buy something expensive and then enjoy the fruits of our labor afterwards.

But, you're right about lacking a tool to complete the job.

I didn't have the correct size drill bit so I left em' with just the way they are without drilling the holes...but I bought the drill bits.

Once I get my tonneau cover, I'll be forced to do the drilling...but for now, I've just been lazy. lol

 

If your bedsides are that bad it sounds like you could definitely use some stiffening to pull them back to square. The set originally designed and now discontinued by 4wp has been reimagined by Kwikvette, and may work with your shelf.
Just be aware that they will lock your bedsides wherever they are at if you don’t square them before installation. People have used a ratchet strap to pull the bedsides into the position they want before drilling in situations like yours.

 

Thanks for the suggestions. It’s not that the bed is that bad, it it flexes that bad because of what I did to it. But the problem really only happens if I’m parked on a side hill And try to open up the tailgate when it’s loaded up. I have a lot of stuff mounted to the bedsides, including a 17 gallon spare gas tank, and on the opposite side, a heavy pull-pal land anchor and a grip-hoist winch and 50’ cable spool, plus a lot of other digging and rock breaking gear (we’re prospectors and rock hounds). In addition, I have a high roofed shell with a solar panel and a rack on top. So when we’re out camping, it flexes if I happen to drive on a side hill. That’s when the problem occurs otherwise around town it’s fine and square. But don’t look at it while I’m going around corners, so I bet it does flex then also. However, when I park flat, there’s no problems with the tailgate and it always looks square. I’m pretty sure it’s the camper shell that’s been keeping it fairly square, but I don’t want that to flex a lot otherwise it’s going to get cracks in the long run.

I thought about making a custom removable one using pipe - that way it can be installed when loaded and removed to get clearance for unloading. Someone has got to have made them already, if not I think it would be fairly easy. All I have to do is flatten the ends and bend them 45 degrees and drill a hole on each end. Then I can put a single bolt on the vertical side for it and use the Torx one on the bed to install it. It would be easy enough to take off and put back on with just two bolts holding it. that would prevent the bed from flexing either direction, but would allow the pipe to be taken out when needed.

 

If anyone wants to get one like OP’s - the ones on EBay are back ordered but these are available and look like the same ones - same price too.

$36 Pindex Tacoma Bed Channel Stiffener Solid Steel Rear Support Bracket Compatible with 2005-2022 Toyota Tacoma

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CSCP2KSW

 

I like that set up. I need ones that don't prevent me from sliding my snowmobile platform in and out and those look like they fit the bill.

 

Maybe use a lnchpin so it can be removed quickly?

 

I am laughing at myself!

If I can get away with a partial install, I'll do it.

Is that how I handle every situation? (No)

Heck, I still have to drill out/easy out a bolt on my CAT plate but I've put that off too! lol

Since I'm at 30K miles, I'll need to drain the transmission fluid which...requires I remove that CAT plate.

Guess I better get off my butt!

 

I figured.

Not offended at all.

Heck, we all have our own quirks...but we try to keep them to ourselves!

I think the bed stiffeners provide good support in my daily driving.

Some have said (at least I remember reading it) that they can somehow feel the affects of the rigidity at the rear of the truck.

I don't know about all that but at the time I read it, I was glancing at the side of the bed through the side mirror to see if I could feel a difference.

I've since forgotten about it.

Anyway, current pricing for the Total Chaos Bed Stiffeners have gone up $20.

Here's what I paid in Sept 2023.

 

I can beat that by a year or two....I refer to it as the "shame-shelf" where I have many mods that I bought and not installed yet.
The ones that require wiring are on hold until I get my aux fuse panel set up....which has been sidelined because I need to figure out a good battery terminal option that my ocd can live with (sdhq $150 crazy expensive but...).....and a battery mounted mrcb holder so the feeds are protected. My winch is a flat connection to a cutoff switch, which still has about 2' of unprotected cable run.

 

that could work, I was thinking something like a locking ball push pin that goes into a hole in a flat plate there is securely mounted to the sides of the bed and the bottom part to hold it down. That way, it’ll be more flush when not using the stiffener bar.

these are not the correct sizes, they need to be shorter, but it’s just an example:

Kipp 03194-3112080 Stainless Steel Ball Lock Pin, Button Head Style, Self-Locking, Natural Finish, 124.6 mm Length, Metric

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005HIDB1A

 

Yeah those are far better looking....nice design too.

I'm sure there are many sources, that one is showing unavailable.

 

Already a baldy...out of sight out of mind!!

 

The backing plate has very nice welding for the fasteners as well!
Nice product.

Cheers