6.5’ bed

Who here has a 6.5’ bed and do you use it for work, pleasure, both? What suspension mods do you have if any? Also, please post a pic.

I’m anticipating my new 1794 and I received a call from my dealer saying they just received the same truck and options in a 6.5’ bed. He has my curiosity going. I may have to go look at it tomorrow.

 

This SR5 has the air suspension with the 6.5 bed. We haul a 4200 pound travel trailer and I think the longer WB helps for stability. Otherwise it's just a grocery getter.

 

Go for the 6.5

 

I went from a 2020 Platinum 5.7 to the 2023 Platinum 6.7. I use it for work with a pallet of material from time to time, and also use it to secure the travel items when I go on vacation to VRBOs and such. The truck is longer and noticeable in parking lots and drive thru's. I will not go back to a 5.7 bed though. I also had/have Retrax XRPro covers in both and that eats up about 10 inches of the bed length on top.

Measure your garage if it goes inside. Thankfully my garage was overbuilt length and width, so it fits and I can still move around in the garage with it in there.

No mods, and I have the Advance package with Air Suspension. So no lift.

 

Pleasure. Zero suspension mods, but if I go with a heavier boat or get a camper, I'll probably do air bags.

It's all personal preference, but I think the 6.5' crew cab is the most proportional configuration. The shorter beds look odd to me.

 

Do the right thing

 

I use mine for both. My previous truck had the 5.5 foot bed. It sucked for hauling stuff. The 6.5 is a good length. It tows in forward very well. My camper is about 7000 pounds when we tow it. It handles it very well. I have the stock suspension btw. Largest load I have hauled was a 28 foot flatbed loaded at about 9000 pounds. I could tell that was behind me, but it handled it well.Turning radius sucks due to the longer wheelbase.

 

Same as this guy. I have the 6.5 bed with XR Pro cover, and will never go back to a short bed. Even with the cover taking up that 10", there is room for smaller stuff under the box, and that extra room is awesome. I will be doing a lift in the not too distant future. I like the TRD lift kit, and will be running Recon Grapplers due to the weight.

Picture is before I blacked out the chrome and changed step bars to the Predator ones.

 

We have a Crewmax 6.5 foot bed. We use it for towing and for work and some personal trips. Mods are listed below.

Pic shows new wheels and 1.75" level and also Diamondback cover. Lots of things done since this picture was taken.

 

not the best pic but Platinum has auto level works great.

 

Thanks for all the information and suggestions. I appreciate the input. I’ll be going to the dealership this morning to check it out and let you know how I made out.

 

Forgot you asked for pics. 2023 Platinum 4X4 6.7 bed, with Advance Package and power running Boards.

Randy

 

Nice looking truck!I haven’t seen a blueprint up close yet.

 

I have a 6.5' bed - wouldn't have less and many days really wish I got the 8' bed. I'm a construction superintendent and it regularly sees 1000lb+ of general construction crap in the bed. It's also the family road trip rig. 4 bikes, a big cooler, and luggage for 4 people in the back no problem. I have a topper, bedrug and a rubber bedmat - bedmat catches most of the construction junk and can hose it off if needed, then vacuum the bedrug. Cleans up nice and easy, then I basically have a full size SUV with a huge rear trunk for family stuff.

Firestone airbags for heavy hauling days is the only suspension modification.

Crewmax w/ 6.5' bed would be the rig for me if I go shopping for a 3rd gen one day. That rear seat legroom is enviable.

 

Can haul a motorcycle in the bed (tailgate closed) with my 6.5' bed.

 

That is important. I have a Harley Heritage Classic and a GSXR-750. The GSXR I take to track days.

 

What he said!

 

I took a look at it this morning and it’s a great looking vehicle. They sold it last night. Man, them Tundras sell fast!!!

 

I throw a lot of everything in the bed of mine. Dirt Bikes, mt bikes, firewood, wood pellets, tow a toyhauler. The wood pellets were only 1300 lbs and you can see how it made the truck squat so I put airbags on it which help with the sag. I put on load range E all terrain tires with the snow flake emblem for better off road performance and when I tow the trailer. I do have a 1" Cornfed leveling kit on the front so it sits somewhat level when empty.

 

That there is what I call a "man with a truck"....wish I had taken some photos with my adventure bike, then with the 1000 lbs of firewood, then 350lbs of salt for water softener, 800 lbs water bladder....well you get the point. It is a truck, make it work for you

 

Also the turning circle of a gen 3 crew cab 6.5 bed is 50ft total. The crew cab 5.5 is like 48.1ft and a trd pro is 50.1ft. Crew cab 6.5 bed tundra has the shortest turning circle of all the CC 6.5 beds besides the Ram.

 

I have a shell on mine and I sleep in the back of it all the time when camping.

 

Go with the long bed! I upgraded the front and rear anti-sway bars, TRD in the front, AFE in the rear with King mounts. Love the stiffer handling!

 

Would you please post those part numbers when you can???

Randy

 

2023 Tundra Limited. I live 2 hours outside of a major centre so I need the 6.5 bed for hauling stuff. I had 2018 Tundra short bed and thought it I could live with it but could not. I've installed Icon Stage 1 suspension system and optioned for no lift. I upgraded the sound system. Changed the front end with a color matched mustache, TRD Pro grill and color matched upper bumper cover. I ditched the factory 20" wheels and installed 18s because I live in a land of potholes and drive the forest service roads. No hard core off-roading. I've ordered HD coil springs for all four corners because I think the truck could benefit with a little more firmness.

 

afepower.com for the rear
https://toptiersuspensions.com/coll...ng-shocks-tundra-rear-sway-bar-end-links-2022

the front trd anti sway bar is somewhere in a thread on tundras.com i'll look for it in the AM.

 

Badass pictures.

 

6.5' Bed w/ TRD 3" lift and 35's.

 

Noice!!! Love that look.

 

https://toptiersuspensions.com/prod...6d6b4aZRiBNTLE9WpxE_vMDIW-ySghkxoChlQQAvD_BwE

https://parts.toyota.com/p/Suspension-Stabilizer-Bar-Front/114919966/488040C020.html