BillyBars install for 1st Generation 1995-2004 Tacoma

BillieBars - Tonneau Truck Cover Compatible Bed Bars. First Generation Tacoma Install.

Unboxing -
2 Crossbars
4 Mounting ends
4 Mounting Brackets w/ hardware
8 Torx Bolts

Step One - Assembly of Cross Bars/ Mounting Ends.

For each Bar, a pair of Mounting ends, 4 torx bolts, and washers will be needed to assemble.

Start on one end of the bar and bolt up the mounting end using 2x washers and 2x torx bolts. Repeat the process on opposite end. This process will be the same process for both bars.

Once completed Final product should look like -



Step Two - Bed bar placement and Mounting.

Lay mounting ends of bars to the bed of truck. Adjust bars for width preference. As a reference point, I spaced both bars approximately 2 1/2 ft apart. This worked out perfectly for mounting my 2 person Roof top tent. Please adjust to what works with your set up.



To secure bars to the bed, each bar will need 2x mounting brackets, 4x nuts, 4x bolts, 4x washers.

(for one end of bar)

Place the bolt through the mounting bracket as shown in the photo below. Mounting bracket then will be placed on the backside of mounting end which will clamp onto the bed sides in a backwards “C” position. Please note the longer end of the bracket should be placed on the bottom. The bolts will slide through the mounting ends then finish off by sliding in the washer and the lock nut. Once in place, tighten the nuts. Please repeat this process for the remaining three ends.



Final Product mounted on Bed.


Overall installation process is very simple. The bars themselves are of high quality and I like the fact they are easy to put on and remove from the truck. Unlike my full bedrock, this can be installed solo versus a full rack needing multiple people just to lift onto the bed. Anything mounted on the bars will not go anywhere assuming installation was done correctly. Another plus side is that no drilling is required. Lastly, one of the main reasons this product shines is that if you are running a bed cover, you will be able to utilize the bed bars without having to remove the cover.

 

Dumb nooB question, what are they for?…

 

Mounting a roof bin, pop up tent, gas cans, ski rack, good option if you intend to keep using the truck bed, and have a bin of some sort.

 

Planking

 

I'll be honest, that's super low even to have access. plus it would only work for a "soft" tonneau or roll style. no folding or one-piece hard tonneau

I could see myself scraping my hand every time I needed to pull the tonneau off the snaps