Dents easily

Not complaining here just curious. Has anyone noticed the bed dents easily? My wheel wells inside the bed got dented when I dropped my small ratchet out of my hand from about 12” away. Seems odd it dented easily. As I was getting down out of the bed I noticed my tailgate metal flexes more than other trucks I’ve owned. Just seems odd to me as I thought Toyota had thicker metals.

 

Yeah kinda thin. I dented my bulkhead slightly just sliding in a 10’ 2x10. Small ding but bummed me out. I have linex, but if I was going to carry lumber often or use my truck for heavy equipment, I would add a plastic liner on top of it. And I do feel the sheet metal flex on my tailgate under me. 6’1” 240lbs. Just figured because I’m fat LOL

 

Nobody uses thicker metal anymore. sadly.
It's okay for the rest of the body panels, but it would be nice if they at least keep the bed a little beefier.
If you don't have a bed liner, look into that. It makes a big difference.

 

I don’t have a liner but plan to LineX it soon. I’m only 185 pounds and felt the gate flex. I hate to say it... I really do, but my Titan bed never flexed this way. It was a 2013. But I always wanted a Tundra. Just surprised it dents easily. I noticed it right after I bought it when I climbed up into the bed to load some lumber the day after purchase. It does seem like all manufacturers are cheapening things some where and adding quality other places. I noticed the metal from my 3rd gen 4runner to my tundra...

 

Back in the seventies and eighties you would tap on an American car body panel with your index finger and it felt like the top of a pool table. You did the same with an import and it felt like a soda can. Those days are gone. Efficiency standards and disposable "safety crumbling" cars are the new norm.

It could be worse. You could be in an aluminum truck, get a few miles per gallon more and watch dents seemingly appear out of thin air. Guess you wouldn't rust, but not all states are in the rust belt. Decisions.. Decisions..

 

I notice right away how much more beefier my 07 Tundra was compared to my now 2018. I assumed it is Toyota's way of reducing weight while seeking better gas mileage.

 

Partly why all these half baked new technologies are popping up everywhere. CAFE standards. If you want to reduce consumption, increase cost. People used less gas when +4$ a gallon. People are keeping cars longer due to cost.

Stop/Start and forced induction might bring a higher power to weight ratio or greater mileage but the technology is still relatively new when you factor in direct injection etc. More plastic (even manifolds) etc.

We've made a good choice with Tacomas and Tundras. Guess we have to accept our lumps with thin sheet metal

 

Well. People complain about the 13 mpg they get now. Imagine if all the sheet metal was thicker.

 

Yep. Toyota also had the 4.7 and 4.6L options to offset. We won't ever see thicker steel again though. The 5.7 days are definitely numbered.

"The last of the V8 interceptors" lol

Was a mad max quote appropriate?

 

True. I was at 13mpg with the Titan and I’m at 16mpg in my Tundra with same driving style. I like my Tundra much better. Just surprised that’s all. I mean heck look at how much more the other trucks cost... I’ll still choose my Tundra. I plan to keep it for many years even with my dents. Those are character marks. Lol

 

I see it's not just me. I had a dolly rolling around in my bed during a move that crashed into the bulkhead several times and left some rather large dents. I don't really see a way that I could smooth them out.

 

Put a BedRug over it. Lol.
No more rolling (drastically reduced)
No more dents
Covered dent.

 

Yep, my 08 gets used to haul firewood. Wheel wells are dented, front wall is bowed, dents on the floor. But, its a truck.
If you are worried about the floor, linex the bed and a sheet of plywood. Keep the plywood in the bed. You can use two sheets with one cut short so you can pull the long one over the tailgate to provide a bit more protection and weight distribution when hauling long stuff. That is what my father does with his.
My '40 Chrysler on the other hand, anything short of an air hammer and I cant get the dents out.

 

I’ve wondered about bed rug. Is that like a big piece of carpet? What about hauling like wood/mulch/sand and chunky things? Easy clean up or hard to maintain?

 

It's like carpet but it's durable and padded underneath. I've sprayed mine out, swept it out, spilled all kinds of things on it, etc.
It always dries underneath and is self installed and easily removed if desired. It never falls off or loses adhesion.

Plenty of youtube videos from contractors about it. My brother works on bulldozer tracks. With all his welding and grease he loves his

 

Bedrug is basically outdoor carpet with a foam backing. I hauled bricks, firewood, and engines/transmissions in my tacoma with one. Hit it with a shop vac to get the big stuff off. Then rinse it off with a hose or pressure washer. For oil/stains, use a stiff scrub brush and dawn dish soap. Purple power works pretty well also.

 

I agree with the flimsiness of the metal on these trucks....I guess they do it to cut costs and improve fuel economy. When I had my 4Runner you could literally see the hood flex and ripple with winds at highway speed. That always bothered me. I lined the bed of this and it greatly improved toe rigidity.

 

Bed rug or LineX better for prevention of dents ect?

 

I've noticed there are some "dimples" in the outside of the bed along the top near the plastic bed covers. No idea how they got there. they are consistent for both passenger and driver sides.

 

Theoretically, bedrug would provide better dent protection (and hide what does occur) because it does act as a bit of a cushion. Linex and other spray on liners will provide better corrosion protection and will help with smaller dent protection .
They both reduce slip in the bed. Bedrug is easier on the knees.

Neither will prevent dents entirely.
Bedrug, and any other drop in liner, will increase the chance of corrosion as they will hold moisture and dirt against the bed. So, it should be taken out periodically to clean and dry both the bedrug and the bed itself.

 

A damn tree got in my way off-road and dented my flimsy box side.

 

Them things jump at you, dont they.

 

My 2012 Taco had the composite bed which I really liked. You could drill and tap into it. Wish my Tundra had the same. The metal is very thin but Linex helps. Can't tap holes in it, have to through bolt to mount anything, which is a pain in the ass to say the least.

 

Ya!

 

I hear you. I’m 6’3” 250lbs and I can feel it flex when I step on it as well. I think it yells “get the f**k off me” too.

 

Yes it does!

 

Don't park it under a oak tree!!! Acorns play hell on the hood and roof. Did I say DON’T PARK UNDER AN OAK TREE LOUD ENOUGH??!!!!

 

I am keeping my 2006 LTD for at least another 10 years. Fixing the entire front end/suspension up with full bushing, steering, 5100s(rear also), ball joints, sway nar links, tie rods etc.
It already has some dings and bumper damage but that is also in possession to replace/repair.
And those dings and dents took some hard hits to make.
Also replacing all O2 sensors too.
Just did both VC gaskets, tube/bolt seals, ign coils, spark plugs, keep MAP & T Body clean.
Mobil One, dif fluids, new Ctr Carrier Bearing/Universal/Spiders greased, all cabin/door/bed liner/ seals removed and fully cleaned...
Why spend 50K I ain't got when just over 1K and elbow grease keep me running like new at
94K!
(Wish I could afford 50K for anything! LOL)
Sucks that the newer Tundras are thinskinned, but would still take one over the other Big 3.

 

My Niece was playing soccer with my son when we were on the beach , she launched a high ball on to the roof of my CM.
I now have a youth soccer ball sized indentation on the roof.

 

PDR guy should fix that right up for ya!