So bed stiffener time???

Any good?? You have a pair yourself??

 

time out. I think you’ve got two convos going here.
Those wheelers stiffies are identical to TC. The other designs...and there’s at least 5 or 6 others out there, vary a bit, and all attempt to solve the same issue.

so there’s the question of a TC rip off vs other designs.

don’t want ya’ll gettin yer panties in a bunch by misunderstanding each other. I know some of y’all drive DC’s and are a little insecure....it’s all good.

 

Ha ha! Only AC’s can be this pompous....

 

The Wheelers ones aren’t “identical”. Take a closer look. Theirs has a front lip as well and two bolt holes at the top. Looks like whoever made them took some ideas from TC and added some stuff to avoid making it “identical”.

Either way, I’ll just use my bed frame bed stiffeners instead of buying some for $100+.

 

Got you. Just trying to clarify the point bruh was trying to make.

back on topic. Bed ‘splay’ is definitely a thing and stiffeners WILL help.

Looking forward to pics of the installs!

@Rocksteady1 - I’m messin’.

my girl had the brilliant idea of ‘Moscow mule monday’, so, yeah.

 

All good bro so was I! Couldn’t resist a good poke myself.

 

FWIW, a few weeks back, I was asking about anyone having a set of used bed stiffeners. In the various topics / posts about bed stiffeners, it appears one of the members here was making and selling a version similar to others, including the TC ones. His though had a better match to the beds actual contour.

Word is, he stopped making them on account of TC flexing their muscle based on having a patent.

As for the other guy asking how I plan to refit my AMP bed extender. Your idea of using a spacer block is one option I have. Once I sort out what seems best for me, I will share details.

 

I was checking my bed out today and noticed some separation .
I think my bed bolts had a lot to do with this issue
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/tacoma-loose-bed-design-flaw-explanation.388873/

 

It's always a risk when you use your truck.



FWIW, I got a set of bed stiffeners from Morgan (@At The Helm) from my Tacoma to hopefully slow the spreading of the sides.

 

The idea of someone having a patent on an item this versatile is pretty ridiculous. I can see trying to mitigate exact copies, but it's pretty bogus and shows that you may or may not be insecure about your product and/or pricing when you try to crush your competition (especially small dudes) by patenting a product like this.

Personally, I'll just make 'em. Pretty simple design, sure it may not look perfect but if it does it's job and doesn't look like complete ass then it's a win-win for me. I know that may not be an option for everyone, whether it be time constraints, equipment, or whatever. You can make this with a cheap welder, some angle iron, and a hacksaw. If want cool speed holes/tie down points, grab a drill.

 

We got em' on the Wheeler's 2020 build. All-Pro made them fit 05+ while others have two separate kits for 2nd and 3rd Gens due to bed mounting points varying.

 

The @CaliRaisedLed ones work well too. They have been holding up great for me.

 

This has been a problem with various solutions since at least the 80s. Used to be that diagonal braces were used to support bed walls but they were mostly used by people who abandoned their tailgates in favor of nets by the early 90s. the problem with them is that they really took a chunk out of the tailgate area making it more difficult to load and unload the bed.

The bed on the ranger I owned prior to my tacoma barely had enough left to latch closed you could see daylight through the gap between bed rail and tailgate. My Tacoma has some gap... I am going to be filling it in with weather streipping as best I can to reduce the amount of dust infiltrating the bed (and my camping gear) since I have a bed cap, but the braces I bought should prevent or minimize further damage.

I got a set of braces off Amazon at a reasonable price (downright cheap compared to the "name brands") that to my joy were actually made decently with 3/16 steel angle, plus the numerous holes in it will allow for bolting in the face panel for a bed drawer system (which will also add a bit of rigidity) when I get around to building it. My only complaint with it is that I would of liked to have it run further up the bed along the angled section and upper vertical as some do. I am considering when I modify my new contractors rack adding some internal bracing such as a detachable cross bar to reinforce the bed rails further and minimize the spread caused by a heavy ladder rack (and ladders or lumber or RTT).