First Mod: An Overrated Post

So, I made my first mod. I added Total Chaos bed stiffeners:


Given the level of technical expertise I am seeing on this forum, I can almost hear a collective yawn.

But this is seriously probably the first mod I have made to a vehicle since I was a teenager. To my embarrassment I really haven't worked on vehicles as an adult. Given time sensitivities, it was easier just to have a shop do it. But I decided with this Tacoma, my first truck, I was going to do more stuff myself.

Per the installation process:
The Good:

-It was pretty easy. In particular the drilling, which was my biggest concern, was a snap.

-I now know how to remove the tail light and change bulbs myself. I know, ridiculous for many, but its a start.

The bad:
-I actually snapped one of the bolts Total Chaos included in the kit (one of those for which you have to drill holes). I don't think I was tightening it any more tightly that the other bolts but....POP! Fortunately Lowe's had the same bolt.

Overrated post concluded.

 

Those stiffeners are not even needed unless you do a lot off offroad driving.

 

Congrats on the add. These total chaos stiffeners work great. I was actually able to keep the stock tie down a well if you're interested in that.

 

Stiffeners are great to have. Mine came with the all important beer opener.

 

I am motivated to do this for two reasons:

1. I am going to be taking this into the back country, for example class 4 roads in the National Forests of NC, VA, etc. These roads can get pretty bad. And there may be cases where I leave the road altogether.

2. I am putting a Diamondback HD Tonneau on it, and will likely haul stuff on the tonneau. So it is insurance against that weight causing problems.

Anyway, I've done it already.

 

How did you do that? Does it fit? I had actually been thinking about giving my OEM tie down to someone I know who managed to lose one (long story), but this could change my plans.

 

I was actually wondering about using the tie down points for this as I was installing!

 

Cheap Zync bolts. For Offload stuff I always swap for SS or Hardened.

 

Ahh...that is something to think about. I may need to go back to get more.

 

SS and hardened will help with rust as well over time.

 

D rings moved forward after stiffener install. Good for a few pounds of weight.

 

While SS is stronger than grade 2 unhardened bolts, it's much weaker than grade 5 or 8. In this application where ultimate strength isn't really a concern it's a great use because of it corrosion resistance, though you should still use anti seize to prevent galling.

There is a reason the bolts on suspension, frame and towing components aren't SS.

 

Oh cool! I'm going to do that! Thanks!!

 

Anti-seize is an excellent idea. I have some on hand (believe it or not it is something I use for choke tubes on shotguns) that should work.

 

Way to go man! Installed mine last weekend, not as hardcore as you b/c a fellow TW member helped me/did half of it while at a community mod day. I also snapped a bolt lol

Luckily i bought a box of metric bolts and had a replacement on hand.

hopefully this is the first of many! (mods, not broken bolts lol)

 

Two technical questions:

1. You used the original D-ring bolts, correct?

2. Does anyone know the torx size for the smaller (at least there head is) bolts already in there?

Thanks!

 

Followed up on u/JoeCOVA and u/RocTaco's advice: went back to Lowe's bought 5 more SS bolts and then put them in with anti-seize. Thanks fellas!

 

Welcome the forum, Peter. You seem literate and humble, which will be a rare addition these days.

 

Well done.

 

So, a problem has emerged. I waited for darkness to fall to make sure that the tail lights were working correctly after reinstalling. And there is a problem, but it is an odd one.

The passenger side tail light has a curious problem with the middle light. When you put on the brakes, it does not light up (despite doing so on the driver side). But when you put it in reverse it does turn on. What could be going on?