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Bed Stiffeners

Rago Fabrication Bed Stiffeners (2024 Tacoma) — Review 3/5​

I installed the Rago Fabrication bed stiffeners on my 2024 Tacoma TRD Off Road.

I chose these because they appeared to bolt in the highest and lowest positions of any option I found, which should make them the strongest. They also use a bracket tab system that doesn't require rivets or other specialty tools. The only specialty tool needed is a step-bit drill for the 3/4" hole — drilling is standard for any stiffeners that provide substantial strength, and even non-drill stiffeners recommend drilling if you need more rigidity.

The Right Side Was a Frustrating Install​

The right side stiffener was the main problem. All three brackets kept spinning while I tightened the bolts. I had to remove the brake light — which, ironically, not needing to remove the brake light was advertised as a benefit of this product — and then figure out how to hold each bracket in place while screwing.

Middle bracket spinning during install

  • Middle bracket: Relatively easy to brace since the access hole lines up conveniently.
  • Bottom bracket: I was able to stick a wrench through the large hole and pin the bracket against the sidewall while tightening (~10 minutes).
  • Top bracket: Had to fish an allen wrench through a tiny hole and pin it against the bracket from below while tightening (~10 minutes).

Wrong Hardware Included​

They shipped gold hex-head bolts instead of the sleek black button-head bolts shown in their product listing. Color isn't critical to me since I'm building a truck interior that will cover this area, and the company offered to send the correct bolts and replacement brackets for free. But given how difficult the right side was to install in the first place, I decided not to swap them.

Stiffener installed with gold hex bolts

Would I Buy Again?​

Maybe. I liked that their bolt span covers the highest and lowest points in the bed, which should give the best structural support. But the brackets that don't brace properly during installation were genuinely frustrating, and shipping the wrong hardware isn't great quality control.

Overall: 3/5