Closed - Internal Stiffeners

Yeah that’s Dave’s reverse delete and the Vled bed lights, and fbc 3rd brake light tap in and the total tails with resistors. There’s a lot back there. My ninja edit happened because I was in some dead zone, but it’s only half installed as I need to find my step up bit. And charge my drill. I sorta accidentally uninstalled the Vled bed lights….

 

Oh. The tailgate switch for the bed lights, is a touch but not straight.

 

I love the function of it but hate the pin switch itself. Mine doesn’t work anymore. I sent some nicer ones to @Puppypunter to evaluate but he mostly ghosts me like a disgruntled X.

 

It took me longer than I would like to admit to find this… Maybe it’ll help someone else…

4wp product link:
https://www.4wheelparts.com/p/4-wheel-parts-factory-tacoma-bed-stiffeners-61748w/_/R-4WPBR-61748W
4wp instruction pdf:
https://www.4wheelparts.com/sku/4 Wheel Parts/standard/61748W.pdf

YouTube promotional video from 4wd site:
https://youtu.be/ZJW1mMnVv4M

 

I got them both relays back on each of those two studs, just in different order. Bed lights grounded too.

 

I was specifically curious if I should make the lengths any longer for these brackets. If any are tight I could adjust.

 

The product isn't linked because their links direct you to their homepage; this occurs with any product you link.

Also didn't post their pdf instruction since it'll provide the incorrect measurements and I didn't want anyone confused.

I just need install pictures so I can put together a walk-through on the install.

Unfortunately, there isn't a single person in my area with a 2nd or 3rd Gen that opted to buy a set otherwise I would've done the install myself and provided a walk-through.

 

I have some trips to San Diego planned, could stop through, but was planning to fly. Still tempting.

 

Have to say, the fitment on these is awesome.



3D inserts arrived so the remainder of Batch 1 will have their package shipped out this Monday.

 

Maybe the only thing I'd recommend is adhering the bracket to the insert and putting a soft clamp on it until the adhesive dries this way it stays flat with the exterior bracket.



Putting loctite on the bolts would be best this way they don't back themselves out thus preventing the need to torque down the bolts so much and risking breaking your new insert.

 

If for some reason you had time to hang out on a weekend, I'd be happy to get a set made up to install for ya.

Would give you a discount of course for taking the time to stick around and the install would be on me.

I'd want to take pictures and do a walk-through on the installation process so I can post it here.

 

We had a family visit vacation that got cancelled, since my wife and I already had the time off, we took a road trip to a B&B in Virginia. I brought the recently arrived hidden stiffys.

I got a (not very good) coat of primer on them Thursday, so I sanded them a little bit and wiped them down with lacquer thinner. The second coat of black is drying now on the first side.

I also dug into the taillights and drilled out the pilot holes I drilled previously. This is a reminder that there are TWO bolts holding the taillight assembly in place on each side.
The bottom most bolt and the one just above the tailgate latch need to be removed. (10mm).
I sprayed the deburred holes with a quick shot of Rust-o-leum while I have it out as well.

There are wires that pass through a hole, there is a plastic push on retainer that in my truck lives in the top hole rather than the bottom hole. The bottom one is the only one that @Kwikvette has included in the Hidden stiffys. When they go in, I'll probably just rotate it around to the bottom hole. I don't see it as a problem, just something to be aware of. It may not even need to be removed, if that plate is installed over top of it. (edit) strike that, this particular panel will go on the back side, so it will prevent the push in retail er from staying in place. Will rotate to the bottom hole.

I have not referred to any install manuals, so Im not yet sure where the disconnect on the passenger side is.

Im glad the strap savers fit well!

 

What bolts exactly?

Can you circle them?

I ask because on a 3rd Gen, only two bolts or nuts needed to be removed as if you face towards the rear of the truck.

Also, if other holes need to be implemented I'd be happy to add them to the design.

 

The bolts in question are to get the taillights out so you can install things.

I

Um...

Forgot about the bottom one and am now also repairing the taillight.

I was excited to get started the other day!

Third gens (at least my 22) have two oblong holes. One above and one below the wire pass through. On the drivers side only the top is used. In the pic below the plastic deally bopper has been pushed through so you can see it.

Passenger side actually uses both. One of them is for the AC power outlet in the bed, the other one is for the bed cargo lights.

I am 85% sure you can mirror the bottom one that you have in place on the centerline of the hole to get the top one in the right spot.

I have yet to put these pieces in place so I don't know FOR CERTAIN how it lines up.

 

Ah yeah I looked at this from the wrong angle my bad; yeah only two bolts (same ones I remember now).

The oblong holes; will they be an issue with the L brackets I provided?

Maybe if you can get a cardboard cutout of this made so I can implement them into my file.



Not sure if it's the angle but the top one looks a bit farther from the large circular cutout than the bottom one.

If it's the same distance and angle, I can easily mirror it in my file.

 

Ninja edit while you were posting, see above.

 

Quote next time

I would rather get it measured and confirmed unless they just hold in that plastic piece?

 

Yeah, sorry, I hit the post reply button when I was trying to punch upload file. I'm working on a phone here man!

All they do is hold the plastic push through studs. But I think they still need to be accurate, as the studs need somewhere to go.

Dinner just landed, I'll get some measurements later.

 

Naw you're good.

Just want to make this as easy as I can for everyone so these pictures help a lot.

Not having a 2nd or 3rd Gen truck at all near me can make things a little more challenging.

 

If I recall correctly , I initially installed mine in a higher position than you had intended. But there is plenty of play. The bed lights I think are also for an along bed and tundra so plenty of room there.