Internal Bed Stiffies for 2G & 3G Tacos FAQ

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The market is saturated with lots of bed stiffeners and for good reason; they work! However, they can get in the way of existing mods forcing some to ditch them altogether.

That's where a set of Internal Stiffies come into play made for 2nd and 3rd Gen Tacoma's.

Made of 3/16" mild steel, and welded with grade 10 nuts, these will provide all the reinforcement you need to keep your bed from bowing outwards. And best of all, you still gain the benefit of an added tie down point.​

The kit -









(Shown with optional bottle opener)


​

 

Preface - you will need to source your own bolts. I learned in my initial thread that many had their own preference for hardware whether it was stainless, zinc coated, etc.

With that said, you will need M10 x 1.50 at 30mm long for a total of 14. You can opt to purchase 10 of these, and substitute the remaining 4 that are used for your tie down brackets.

I wanted to put together not only an instruction, but a list of tools I found useful for the install of these bed stiffeners on a 2nd or 3rd Gen Tacoma.

If you found other tools to be helpful, feel free to chime in as it may help others!

Tools -

1. Ruler (one that can measure in 1/16th")
2. Carpenter square, although you can use a combination square as well
3. Painter's tape
4. Sharpie or any other form of marking
5. Cutting oil
6. Torx 30
7. Small flathead screwdriver
8. 10mm socket
9. 17mm socket
10. Ratchet for above sockets
11. Drill with charged battery
12. Center punch, automatic is very convenient here
13. 3/16" drill bit or similar for pilot holes
14. 1/2" drill bit for main holes
15. Eyepro
16. Gloves
(Optional)
17. Step bit in the event that you need to enlarge a hole slightly (very helpful)
18. Socket or allen for mounting exterior bracket based on bolts you choose
19. Loctite medium strength making sure those pesky bolts don't back out



Step 1 - We'll start with removing the two 10mm bolts that hold your tail light in place. The exterior bracket that's shown there should be ignored.



Step 2 - You will need to remove your tail light. If you've never removed your tail light, I've marked the main components holding your tail light to your truck bed as there are two on each side of the bulb.



Step 3 - In the video below, I show how I placed my measurements. For the bottom hole in your bracket, you need to measure 10 3/16" from the bed, while also measuring 2" from the front edge of the bed. For the second hole above it, you need to measure 2 1/4" from your initial mark as well as 2" over. This places your top hole at 12 7/16" above the bed floor.

https://youtu.be/MeLBHr2t6j0

What I didn't mention is that the bed has a raised edge towards the tail gate. It is imperative that you measure from the lower part of the bed, towards the cab shown in green.



Step 4 - Drilling! You will see where I have already drilled the main hole above, and the hole below is where I drilled my pilot hole.

https://youtu.be/UjrYdAxjSG0

Step 5 - With your holes drilled, you will now install your exterior bracket as it will be attached with your internal bracket.



Step 6 - More drilling! In this next video, you will see the aftermath of the holes I drilled. After step 5, you want to use your internal bracket as a means of marking your holes for drilling. Once you've marked and center punched your hole location, you want to drill them out starting with a pilot hole, then followed by your larger bit.

https://youtu.be/GBHmEAzSVhI

Step 7 - Here, you can see the aftermath of the above step. This is our final mock up before drilling the last set of holes.

https://youtu.be/XM8yMWj_Mog

Step 8 - This is where the use of painter's tape comes into play. You will want to lay two to three layers of tape all across the area where your L bracket will be mounted. This will allow you to better see the location of your drill holes.



Step 9 - Final drilling! Probably the most difficult step for no other reason other than the awkward positioning. If you're like me and own a Milwaukee drill, I found it better to use the smallest battery I had on hand. The larger batteries can get in the way of your hand and the bottom of the bed.



Step 10 - Once the holes have been drilled out, you can now torque down all of your bolts and enjoy your new mod!



Step back and enjoy your work





Side note - I wanted to make this note separately as it may involve many Tacoma owners. For those with an outlet on the passenger side, this is where you will take your Torx 30 bit and undo the 6 bolts holding the panel in to your bed.



Once this is done, you'll need to undo the plug to the outlet. However, the cable is still held in place by use of this tab.

This is where your flathead comes into play to remove this retaining tab to free up your cable.



In doing so, you can snake the cable through the L bracket's opening the same way it goes through the bed.



For those without the aid of another, I find a clamp is the easiest way to hold things in place.

 

I want a set. How do I order?

 

I will be posting a separate thread for ordering; looking to open up orders sometime in the next week and a half so keep an eye out

Just wanted to use this thread to showcase the set, along with adding an installation video and/or instructions.

 

Watching this one, would love a set

 

Just made a new thread

Going to keep this open as information on these will remain on this thread - the other thread will be for ordering.

Whether it's questions on the product, pictures people want to share, it would help for those that have watched these in the past.

 

A link to the ordering thread would be helpful

 

Hey Dennis, I will be posting one in the initial OP in the coming weeks!

I have a member that will be coming over as I'd like to create a video install that can better help our members here.

 

Installation instructions now posted!

Huge thanks again to @vettencle for coming to hang out, and help get these installed. I hope others in the time to come find the installation instructions useful.

 

Pics and videos turned out great. Really enjoyed being able to help and most importantly I can add “Gloved Hand Model” to the resume

 

Oh man, you're on your way to be an influencer

 

Just installed these today. Took about 2 hours with plenty of breaks. The last three holes on each side are the hardest part of the whole install. Measurements were easy, instructions very clear, and parts provided were well made. Much better bed stiffies than the other external options out there!

My only additions to the instructions were using blue loctite and torquing to 44nm. I also used a step bit for all of the holes to give some wiggle room.

 

I haven't even considered using loctite!

Good point. I can't see any reason to uninstall these once in place.

 

Will you be making another batch any time soon?

 

Hey Tom!

I actually make these to order. I had simply posted because I had a request for one and figured I'd knock out two more at the same time.

Normal turn around is two weeks, so you're welcome to place your order today as you'll be the next set I begin working on.

 

Can you link me to where I order? Also, what is the current price?

 

I too am interested in your kit.

 

For those interested in ordering, I do have another thread.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/internal-stiffeners-orders.847153/