Spotlight: Rough Country Molle Panel Kit for the 2024 Toyota Tacoma

This was a big year for the Toyota Tacoma, with the mid-size pickup getting a complete refresh inside and out, not to mention the powerful new i-Force Max hybrid powertrain. To go along with the redesign, Rough Country just released its new Molle Panel Kit for the 2024 Tacoma. An acronym for Modular Lightweight Load-Carrying Equipment, a Molle panel is essentially a cargo rack designed for inside the bed of a pickup truck. In this case, the new Taco.

Made from ⅛-inch steel and powder-coated black, the Rough Country Molle Panel Kit is strong and durable, and it looks good against any truck or bed color. The bolt-on installation is designed to be easy enough for a DIYer to knock out each panel in 30 minutes or less. The instructions call for buyers to drill into the side of the bed to secure the bottom of the side panels, but multiple customers left reviews saying they opted not to drill any holes, and the cargo rack is still sturdy. We haven’t tested this ourselves, but it’s worth noting since many people don’t want to drill into their new truck.

Buyers can choose to purchase the cab panel alone for $119.95, the driver and passenger panels together for $189.95, or all three for $249.95. Each kit includes all mounting brackets and hardware necessary for installation, and it even comes with some cargo straps so users can immediately clean up their beds and attach gear to the panels. This system is a solid solution for camping supplies, fishing gear, tools, and anything else that could benefit from being tied down on the go.

Even though this panel system from Rough Country will only fit the ‘24 Taco, there are plenty of other options for older Tacomas and other truck models. Rough Country itself sells panels for other trucks, including the F-Series, Gladiators, Sierras, Silverados, and Tundras. Other brands, like the Putco Molle Assembly System, retail for $257.99+ per panel and fit multiple applications for Ford, Chevy, GMC, Toyota, and more. It’s just so much more expensive, with one panel costing more than the whole set from Rough Country. But hey, at least the Putco kit comes with a tailgate panel.

No matter which option you go with, make sure you know what size bed is on your truck so you can get the right setup that fits!

Do you know of a product that should be featured in the CARiD Drive Spotlight series? Drop us a line at tips@carid.com.