Found a use for left over bed cubby cover plate

[DannyUncanny]

I spent my Ford points on getting two bed cubbies for my XL. Install was easy but I was left with the old cover plates afterwards. Instead of tossing them in the trash I used them to cover up the gaping hole behind the left rear wheel.

It doesn’t do a perfect job by any means but it’s better than nothing and it was quick and easy. I just sandwiched both plates and bolted them through the square cutouts in the frame. The hole pattern lined up nicely. If you don’t have two cover plates you would need some really big fender washers or zip ties.

Edit: For reference, these are some of the discussions about the big hole behind the wheel:

https://www.mavericktruckclub.com/f...-panel-for-left-rear-underbody-opening.13177/

https://www.mavericktruckclub.com/forum/threads/mud-salt-debris-trap.10726/

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[Vector6]

You have increased the space for road debris to accumulate.... awesome

 

[DannyUncanny]

I’m not worried about carrying around extra road debris. I’m worried about mud getting thrown straight into the tail light.

 

[Maverickman74]

I can't wait for the mechanic that scans the code looking to figure out what's behind it lol!!

 

[robbyrob]

Is it not possible that those bolts will at sometime begin to rattle?
I know all vehicles will rattle but that looks like it could be first to loosen up and rattle?

 

[DannyUncanny]

Is it not possible that those bolts will at sometime begin to rattle?
I know all vehicles will rattle but that looks like it could be first to loosen up and rattle?

They’re stainless Nyloc nuts. I think they should be good but I’ll check on that area next spring and see how everything looks.

Everything they touch is plastic anyways, so I doubt you would hear a rattle if they came loose. I think they would just silently fall off and the whole panel would drop onto the road.

 

[brielee3]

I spent my Ford points on getting two bed cubbies for my XL. Install was easy but I was left with the old cover plates afterwards. Instead of tossing them in the trash I used them to cover up the gaping hole behind the left rear wheel.

It doesn’t do a perfect job by any means but it’s better than nothing and it was quick and easy. I just sandwiched both plates and bolted them through the square cutouts in the frame. The hole pattern lined up nicely. If you don’t have two cover plates you would need some really big fender washers or zip ties.

Edit: For reference, these are some of the discussions about the big hole behind the wheel:

https://www.mavericktruckclub.com/f...-panel-for-left-rear-underbody-opening.13177/

https://www.mavericktruckclub.com/forum/threads/mud-salt-debris-trap.10726/

That material is too durable, you need to use cardboard like the rest of the underbody coverings.

 

[sprcoop]

I spent my Ford points on getting two bed cubbies for my XL. Install was easy but I was left with the old cover plates afterwards. Instead of tossing them in the trash I used them to cover up the gaping hole behind the left rear wheel.

It doesn’t do a perfect job by any means but it’s better than nothing and it was quick and easy. I just sandwiched both plates and bolted them through the square cutouts in the frame. The hole pattern lined up nicely. If you don’t have two cover plates you would need some really big fender washers or zip ties.

Edit: For reference, these are some of the discussions about the big hole behind the wheel:

https://www.mavericktruckclub.com/f...-panel-for-left-rear-underbody-opening.13177/

https://www.mavericktruckclub.com/forum/threads/mud-salt-debris-trap.10726/

I just ordered 2 cubbies for my XL and wanted to know how this solution is working out so far?

Good? Bad? Glad you did it?

 

[DannyUncanny]

I just ordered 2 cubbies for my XL and wanted to know how this solution is working out so far?

Good? Bad? Glad you did it?

One winter later and it looks fine. No accumulation of debris on top and it seems to block 80-90% of the spray going up that way. Not a perfect solution but an okay one.

 

[Montana]

You have increased the space for road debris to accumulate.... awesome

*Drills a couple holes
"Drainage!"

That material is too durable, you need to use cardboard like the rest of the underbody coverings.

Or... duck tape!

One winter later and it looks fine. No accumulation of debris on top and it seems to block 80-90% of the spray going up that way. Not a perfect solution but an okay one.

Southern California Winters look harsh
/s

 

[sprcoop]

One winter later and it looks fine. No accumulation of debris on top and it seems to block 80-90% of the spray going up that way. Not a perfect solution but an okay one.

Cool, thanks for the update.

Southern California Winters look harsh

Not as harsh as Arizona! We just had a massive hail storm. Must have gotten almost as big as a small pea and went on and on for almost 5 minutes!

 

[Dan2141]

I’m not worried about carrying around extra road debris. I’m worried about mud getting thrown straight into the tail light.

IDK... you don't think the engineers at Ford (and the warranty bean counters) thought of this?

 

[Cancunbadlands]

One winter later and it looks fine. No accumulation of debris on top and it seems to block 80-90% of the spray going up that way. Not a perfect solution but an okay one.

That spare tire is kinda small, ain't it?

 

[Carlitos_92]

IDK... you don't think the engineers at Ford (and the warranty bean counters) thought of this?

Nope, not at all.

It isn't explicitly mentioned here, but the issue is whatever gets thrown up behind the left tail light eventually weeps through, so it looks like your tail light is crying mud and grit.

"Mud and grit" are not substances I want dribbling out of cracks and crevices between components of my truck that are supposed to appear more or less contiguous. Especially since it doesn't take much road moisture to cause it - the rest of the truck body can be totally clean other than the tail light dribble.

 

[Dan2141]

Nope, not at all.

It isn't explicitly mentioned here, but the issue is whatever gets thrown up behind the left tail light eventually weeps through, so it looks like your tail light is crying mud and grit.

"Mud and grit" are not substances I want dribbling out of cracks and crevices between components of my truck that are supposed to appear more or less contiguous. Especially since it doesn't take much road moisture to cause it - the rest of the truck body can be totally clean other than the tail light dribble.

Gotcha'. I installed cubbies on my XL so I have those two covers sitting in my garage; but I also installed RokBlokz mud flaps so this isn't a concern for me?

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