Composite bed

[NewApexJT]

Is anyone hoping that the JT will get a composite bed something like the Tacoma. I recently went camping using a friends Tacoma and I was impressed on how the bed has held up (the truck was abused more than average and is getting up their in age). Would the lighter material and no need for a bedliner be suited for the JT or would a traditional seek bed be wanted?

Sponsored

 

[The Great Grape Ape]

Composite bed is nice if built on a good structure and ontop of a good framework and integrate it well into the 'non-composit' stuff.
It's usually slightly more expensive than a steel bed, but also cheaper than an Aluminium one (especially if you don't already work extensively in Alu). Also quality control is slightly harder as composite hides imprefections more.

There are only a few drawback, that they are a little easier to damage than steel (though likely more resilient than Alu in many ways), they cannot be reinforced like steel beds (but that's usually for proffesional trucks), and since you're in 'kinda cold' area , but might travel up 11 or the 400 to colder climes, then the possibility of the bed cracking, especially along seamlines, is real.. but rare.
However if you though Alu repairs were a pain and expensive that's nothing compared to composite, which usually ends up being a replace, not a repair even for a proeffesional body shop.

It would be a pretty good fit for the JT since it's a 'play/fun' truck not a 'work' truck and a lighter bed/box would help the Wrangler's biggest issue in weight, and also give back a few pounds for payload and towing too (the amount of which would matter more for the former than the latter).

Of course the reason Toyota introduced them was to help get rid of their 'Rusty Yota' image due to the major rust issues with the Tacos and Tundras, and with Ford and GM having incorporated composite at many varying levels (including boxes like the Protec) to varying degrees of success a few years before, it was the logical next step for Toyota.

 

[Ian cj10]

im sure they will get used & abused so i think if they use steel it would be more practical
im hoping to buy 1 when they finally reach our shores & if the bed isnt up to the job ill have to put a trayback on it instead
cheers ian

 

[WXman]

Remember, Toyota had issues with their beds cracking in cold weather. Did they ever get that solved?

 

[Vegas_Sirk]

The AEV brute's bed was composite, so I wouldn't be surprised to see FCA use one.

 

[thebeast]

Judging by the apparent size and weight of the JT I would say composite bed is fine. As stated above this is more of a "light" truck that you can also go offroading.

 

[Pottsy]

I hope they come out with a bedrug for the Gladiator. I have one in my current truck (Silverado 1500) and I absolutely love it. You can abuse it like any other bedliner, power wash it, but best of all it creates a perfectly flat truck bed and the 3/4 foam is awesome when you are crawling around in the bed. Also awesome as an always on option for sleeping comfortably in the bed out in the woods. Just throw a mosquito net over the bed and attach with magnets and you have a nice camping setup.

Sponsored