Total Chaos Bed Channel Stiffeners

Just installed these in my Tacoma. First of all a huge shout out to Wheeler's Off-Road for being fast to ship and packaging my order very nicely.

Some observations:

• The instructions are very good
• The installation is very easy
• The upper factory bolt that is used isn't very strong. My bed was a little of out whack and using that bolt to tighten everything up before drilling ended up causing the bolt to snap due to over torque. My bad, I don't know my own strength sometimes(stubby 3/8" drive ratchet)
• The tie downs will be very nice to have
• An option to have an exterior CB antenna would be nice. I have a canopy so the included option doesn't work and the BAMF bracket won't work either.

I would also add if whomever installed your canopy was a dumbshit and ran the wires in the center of the channel you'll need to move them. Fortunately the bracket covers the hole. I've been meaning to move the wires anyways because the previous location caused them to get caught on stuff.

Photos added 10/7/16:



The wiring harness for the Snugtop Canopy was in the way. Fortunately the 1/2" hole is covered by the bracket.


This is how the washer stack should look on the original tie downs. Be careful with the washers as they can easily slide under the plastic bed and it can be a pain to find them(ask me how I know).


Pre torque, notice that gap. It is gone after install.


Install pics showing how I moved the canopy wiring harness.




I also replaced the factory bed bolts with grade 10.9 M6 bolts and washers after snapping the passenger one. I think Total Chaos should include at least grade 8 M6 bolts for these two factory bolts.

 

Any pics?

 

This thread here: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/tacoma-bed-channel-stiffeners-you-might-need-them.450912/

I'll try and take some tomorrow in the day light.

 

Pics added to first post.

 

Question OP, did you remove your shell to install these or did it draw everything in with your cap in place?

 

I loosened the clamps on the bedside and it worked great.

 

Thanks

 

Is this only something to do if you have a topper on your truck? Just trying to understand if it's something everyone could use.

 

My camper shell stretched my bedsides apart quite a bit. 1/8" gap at bottom and almost 516" at top between tailgate and bedsides. Hoping this will bring everything back closer to square/ factory or at least prevent possible future damage.

 

Ok, thanks

 

Could also be if you run a bed rack or RTT over the bed, etc. Anything that requires the bed sides to bear the weight.

 

These made a huge difference for me btw. At least an 1/8" on each side. Couldn't be happier with the product. Although I emailed total chaos - their instructions say it's a T30 Torx bit that removes your stock D rings, it's a T40 - I stripped out my bed bolt because of this and had to drill it out. Pain in my ass. They supposedly are updating their instructions.

 

@randomguy even after listening to your advice about top factory bolt of course i still over tightened and snapped one of em. You know what size it is by chance? I lost the shaft side

 

Yep - me too. I need one as well.

 

Mine is way out of whack. I need these.

OP, of course we can find them on the TC site but it'd be helpful if you put a link to them in the original post.

 

god damnit..... something i didnt know i needed.... thanks OP my wallet hates you now.

 

The outside gaps, between tailgate and bedsides remained the same for me. It did close gaps inside top of bracket and bedside contour 1/8" or so on both sides and tc bracket is still square so it did stiffen the bed up. Hence the name. Tailgate seems to close better. Idk i just assumed people were talking about outside gaps closing up. But camper shell previous owner installed really did a number on bed sides. Funny thing was i just recently dented my tailgate and got 4 quotes. 3 out of 4 noticed gap almost immediately before checking out dent. 2 of them thought shell installers stetched bedsides to fit campershell

 

Looks very nice. These are on my list and it's good to know that I will have to move the wires for my Snugtop rebel. Until now, I was unsure whether it would need to be done or not.

 

I couldn't be happier with these. I agree with @kjkroll83 the tailgate does close easier. I sold my leer cap but wouldn't dream of ditching the bed stiffners.

 

Should be an M6 metric bolt.