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Our 2020 Toyota Tacoma is like a trusty pack mule. It has never let us down, and if it were human we’d say it has a positive, can-do attitude. But our shortbed Tacoma can only tote so much stuff in an orderly and safe manner. And we have a lot of stuff, it seems. For example, we often have the truck’s bed packed with a dirt bike, recovery gear, extra fuel, and so on. The result is, admittedly, a tad disorganized. And while we try to securely fasten loose items, sometimes the result is less than ideal. So, we decided to solve these issues once and for all with the BuiltRight Bedside Rack System Stage 1 Kit. The result is that our gear is now orderly and safely restrained. Read on for an overview of BuiltRight’s Bedside Rack System, the installation procedure, and how it works.
We’ll admit that prior to the BuiltRight Bedside Rack System we had a janky way of hauling stuff. For example, during our dirt bike forays, we creatively used tie-downs to keep our gas can, ramp, and other items attached to our Tacoma as shown here. It worked, but we spent a lot of time messing with the tie-downs and we often worried about something coming unraveled as we were driving.
The BuiltRight Bedside Rack System Is A MOLLE Panel Design
The Bedside Rack System is one of several products offered by BuiltRight Industries. The company was founded by Matt Beenen, who spent many years in the automotive parts business before forming the company. Beenen’s business goal is to design and engineer solutions to common problems. One of those solutions is the U.S.-made, MOLLE panel design, Bedside Rack System. MOLLE panels have military roots and are used in a wide range of items. MOLLE is the acronym for Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment. BuiltRight’s “Block and Slot” pattern is the real deal and not an imitation product that simply has squares or rectangles cut into material.
The Stage 1 Bedside Rack System was delivered with everything we needed for installation. The system included a pair of MOLLE panels for both sides of our Tacoma’s cargo bed, a pair of MOLLE cab wall panels, clamps, mounts, and installation hardware.
Development, Testing, And Construction
Each BuiltRight Bedside Rack System application goes through a rigorous development and testing procedure. It begins with a complete 3D scan of various truck beds to log data on manufacturing tolerances. To ensure a perfect fit, the scan information is paired with CAD files provided by OEM partners. All parts are tested using finite element analysis and they undergo real-world testing in different environments. Each Bedside Rack Panel is manufactured from 1/8-inch-thick steel plate that is CNC cut and formed. All panels have a black powdercoat finish that not only offers long-term durability, but also a high-grade look and feel.
There are Bedside Rack Systems for a wide variety of vehicles, and they include a full set of panels along with most the most-frequently used attachments. For example, BuiltRight’s Original Riser Mounts allow for mounting two items like an axe, jack handle, or shovel. Additionally, the Super Clamp Riser Mounts work great for items like a recovery strap, fire extinguisher, tie-down straps, and so on. Furthermore, it’s also worth noting that the included MOLLE nuts ensure that installation and configuration isn’t a headache.
These three photos show the highlights of how easy it is to install the Cab Wall MOLLE Panel Kit. Following BuiltRight’s instructions, we loosened the two bed bolts closest to the cab, and then positioned an L-bracket below each bed bolt. After removing the fasteners holding the rail cap, we installed the MOLLE panels loosely to the top rail using the factory hardware. We bolted the two panels together with the included hardware and then attached each panel to the L-brackets. The final step was to tighten all the hardware.
About The Stage 1 Kit
We opted for the BuiltRight Bedside Rack System Stage 1 Kit, P/N 111042, for 2005-2023 Tacoma trucks. It includes the four-piece Bedside Rack System, two-piece cab wall panel, two pair of Quick Fist Original Riser Mounts, a pair of Quick Fist Riser Mount Super Clamps, two sets of MOLLE nuts, and threaded MOLLE/PALS fasteners. BuiltRight also offers Bedside Rack Systems for several other trucks and SUVs. These include Chevrolet, Ford, GMC, Jeep, Ram, Rivian, Tesla, and Toyota brands. BuiltRight offers kits in Stage 1, Stage 2, and Pro forms, each including specific equipment. Stage kits can also be used for ideas to piece together your own kit using individual panels and attachments. It’s important to note that bedside racks aren’t compatible with some drop-in bedliners.
Highlights of the bedside installation are shown in these three photos. There are two panels for each side of the Tacoma, and the procedure is similar for each side. We started on the passenger side (shown) by loosening the bolts that secure the utility rail to the bedside. Next up, we removed the two rear-most bolts and slid the rear panel under the rail and reinstalled the bolts loosely. Our Tacoma has a passenger-side cubby in the cargo bed, and the rear-most panel utilizes two of the bolts that hold the cubby in place. For the front panel, we removed the two front bolts then slid the panel under the rail and reinstalled the two bolts. The final step was to tighten all fasteners.
Two Sets Of Hands Makes Installation Easier
Installation of our Stage 1 kit was easy. We completed the installation in our driveway and had the five panels installed in less than two hours. Installation of the side panels only required a T30 Torx bit and a 5/32-inch Allen wrench. Cab wall panel installation required the aforementioned items as well as a T55 Torx bit. Installation is completely bolt-on with no drilling or bed modifications required, and installation can be completed by one person, though we recommend a second person to make it easier and faster. Using teamwork, one person can line up the panels with the factory holes while the other person can install and tighten the hardware.
These three photos show a few different aspects of the install. The first image shows how we mounted a RotopaX fuel can mount using fender bolts prior to attaching the rear-most driver-side rack. If we would’ve remembered to order BuiltRight’s RotopaX mount, this would’ve been done after the rack installation and minus the fender bolts. The second photo shows the mount for a Quick Fist Riser Mount Super Clamp being installed on the rear passenger-side rack. The final photo shows a Quick Fist Original Riser Mount being installed.
Temporary Fuel Container Mount
We used the BuiltRight Bedside Rack System to mount a RotopaX fuel container, which is a common item used with the rack system. We forgot to order BuiltRight’s mount for the RotopaX mounting system. Consequently, we needed to include some fender washers to mount the RotopaX mount to the bedside rack. Since we weren’t installing the MOLLE nuts, we found that it was easier to install the RotopaX mount before installing the panel. We mention this because while our method works, the best setup is to use BuiltRight’s RotopaX mount.
With the complete BuiltRight Bedside Rack System Stage 1 kit installed, we now have secure and safe storage for our gear. These four images show our RotopaX fuel can, BuiltRight MOLLE pouch, motorcycle stand, and ramp, lashed down to the MOLLE racks for travel. 
The Bottom Line
The BuiltRight Bedside Rack System for our 2020 Toyota Tacoma is a mega-handy, quality product. For example, we now have our extra gasoline safely and securely mounted. We’re using two of the Quick Fist Original Riser Mounts to secure our motorcycle stand into place on the cab wall panel. We also use Quick Fist Riser Mount Super Clamps to secure our motorcycle ramp during travel. Overall, the rack system has not only made the securing of our gear so much safer, but it also allowed us to save space in the bed by mounting gear more efficiently. Prior to this, everything was tied up in a bird’s nest of ratchet straps. Furthermore, we didn’t have much ability to fit more gear then previously listed just because of where things had to sit. Now if we want to, we could also fit a small cooler, more gas, and so on.
Another benefit is that the rack system makes loading and unloading quicker. No longer do we need to go through the hassle of running straps all over the place to secure or release gear. Furthermore, we like the MOLLE pouch included with the system. We mounted ours to the driver-side rack and use it to carry a first-aid kit, among other things. Additionally, we need to give kudos to the BuiltRight MOLLE nuts. They’re small, but a lifesaver. They make it easy to move mounts around once the panels are installed on the truck.
For more information on the BuiltRight Bedside Rack System and to peruse all the company’s products, visit builtrightind.com.
