You'll lose a little capacity, but after buying a mesh trailer, my answer is wood. Carry-On NextGen trailers are pretty decent and won't break the bank.
I added them and the SIBL to my Lariat order, and used my Ford points to order them from theoemparts.com. They should be here today.
If I had it to do again, I'd probably go the L-track route https://www.mavericktruckclub.com/forum/threads/installed-my-diy-bed-side-rails-today.26123/
If you want a hitch, do the $100 option! I'm currently waiting on Ford to send me hitch #3.
The first one came loose without a box or hardware
The second looked like a return and was dinged/scratched and had over-spray all over it.
Mind you, these were like $300 shipped...
Silly question, does the factory passenger mat clip in? I pulled mine out the other day and found a peg on the floor, but no clip on the mat to connect to.
Is mine missing?
When Line-X did mine, they must have forgotten to disconnect the tailgate connector before pulling the tailgate. I found the harness loose and un-clipped from under the bed.
Hopefully they didn't damage any wiring.
Yes, they accept a M6x1.0 bolt IF they have threads. The OEM screws are thread forming so they create their own. These appear to be a good alternative to the Ford screws and tie down cleats https://a.co/jie6W98 and https://a.co/3ZBTrun.
Here are the instructions for the accessory rail...
Yeah, the valve coking is certainly because of the PCV system; oil vapor which would have been washed off in a non-DI engine gets cooked onto the intake valve valves.
EGR is evil too. Basically forced inefficiency due to Government regulations.
What's really awesome is the old smog pumps...
You can get similar from McMaster-Carr, I looked, but did not see any with torx head.
M6 https://www.mcmaster.com/90358A021/
M8 https://www.mcmaster.com/90358A028/
The M6 is the same length as the original, the M8 is 2mm longer, and they would be 4 and 5mm hex key instead of torx.