Adding Bed Tie-Downs to 2025 XL -- DIY Instructions Writeup

[sprubs]

I'd like to add the floor d-rings up by the cab on my 23 XL. from looking at this thread it sounds like some hole sizes might be different? I have an aftermarket SIBL so the holes have some of that stuff in them that I'd need to clear out of the way with the tap.

Sponsored

 

[PeteBerner]

You’ll also need 4 hex bolts that are 1 inch long and match the M6-1.0 on side wall holes, as well as 4 hex bolts that are 1 inch long and match the M8-1.25 floor holes.

Thanks for the write-up. I've been searching for cheap d-ring tie downs, and so I ordered a set from AutoZone after I saw your photos. I have one question: You list the M6 and M8 screws/hex bolts as 20mm in your links, but you said you needed 1-inch long bolts/screws for the sides and floor holes. 20mm is a little over 3/4 of an inch long and 25mm is just under an inch long. Will the 20mm bolts/screws work length-wise or should you use inch-long 25mm? I'm installing the extra side tie downs as well, and thinking of ordering M6 and M8 Torx head screws instead of hex/allen bolts and just want to make sure I'm not getting them too long or too short. Thanks again.

 

[MavMeister25]

Thanks for the write-up. I've been searching for cheap d-ring tie downs, and so I ordered a set from AutoZone after I saw your photos. I have one question: You list the M6 and M8 screws/hex bolts as 20mm in your links, but you said you needed 1-inch long bolts/screws for the sides and floor holes. 20mm is a little over 3/4 of an inch long and 25mm is just under an inch long. Will the 20mm bolts/screws work length-wise or should you use inch-long 25mm? I'm installing the extra side tie downs as well, and thinking of ordering M6 and M8 Torx head screws instead of hex/allen bolts and just want to make sure I'm not getting them too long or too short. Thanks again.

I used 20mm for both. Thanks for catching my typo. I changed it on my original post to correct this. Although I’m sure a 25mm would also work. But I did confirm on my Amazon order history that it was in fact the 20mm. Good luck and have fun.

 

[Yossarian]

Thanks MavMeister for an excellent How-to. I think I will tackle some of this soon.

 

[MavMeister25]

Thanks MavMeister for an excellent How-to. I think I will tackle some of this soon.

Yossarian lives!

 

[Yossarian]

Yossarian lives!

Live forever, or die in the attempt.

 

[Doccus]

The base XL only comes with 4 tie-downs. I added 4 more. I used an aftermarket tie-down on the side wall rear at the TOP similar to the one already installed by Ford. For the ones on the FLOOR towards the front I used a flip anchor ring. I’ll leave a link to all these parts below.

You’ll need a tap wrench with bits that can cut M6-1.0 and M8-1.25. See image attached for which one is which. I can confirm that my job was done 100% correctly and that I used M8-1.25 on the front end floor holes even though Ford says they are M6-1.0. Don’t listen to them. They’re flat-ass wrong.

You’ll also need 4 hex bolts that are 20mm long and match the M6-1.0 on side wall holes, as well as 4 hex bolts that are 20mm long and match the M8-1.25 floor holes.

Ford uses nylon or plastic washers on the side wall tie-downs between the tie-downs and the bed. Seems odd to me since washers typically go under the bolt. Anyway, I included ones that match the specs Ford used. I didn’t use any washers on the floor flip ring anchors.

One tip when tapping the threads is to use some oil. I used WD40. Im sure somebody will criticize that but it worked fine. Also make sure to be as straight as possible when cutting and go in reverse a little bit every time you make a full turn. Blow out the holes with compressed air afterwards to remove metal shavings. Wear goggles or close your eyes!

I didn’t put anything on the side walls where the optional rail goes on higher trims. Some people put in eye bolts but I don’t like that idea since they can turn easily when torque is applied and they’re not as stable. But those pre-tapped holes are M8-1.25 if you’re planning on adding something.

Good luck and enjoy your Maverick

LIST OF PARTS:

Tie-downs for side wall rear:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07M5W1VJ8?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Flip anchor rings for floor:
https://www.autozone.com/tie-down-a...rest-black-1-200lbs-anchor-2-pack/1204154_0_0

M6-1.0 20mm hex bolts for side wall tie-downs:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DHKZ6H7Q?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

M8-1.25 20mm hex bolts for flip anchor rings on bed floor:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BWY37CDF?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Nylon washers for side wall rear tie-downs:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BS5L49NH?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Tap wrench:
https://a.co/d/hjkromf

M6-1.0 tap:
https://a.co/d/cHRZFQ8

M8-1.25 tap:
https://a.co/d/9NMaSgX

Thank you for taking the time to put together such a great post!
Excellent description, pics, and links to parts and tools. I am doing today as I found parts locally. Thanks again!

 

[PeteBerner]

Just finished adding the extra tie downs in the back. Instead of buying the cheaper 4-pack on Amazon (I only needed 2), I just ordered a pair of OEM ones for $5 a piece from parts.ford.com -

and instead of using allen-head screws, I bought a 25-pack of Torx screws on Amazon that look pretty much just like the factory screws, but with a glossier finish instead of the zinc/flat black of the OEM (plus, 2 of my OEM screws had the heads partially stripped from the factory). The only downside of the Torx screws is the company (EASTLO) on Amazon takes about a month to ship them (I'm sure they're coming from China, so there's gonna be a delay)

I replaced all the factory tie-down screws with these, and they look and work great. Just thought I'd let others know an alternative to the Amazon tie-downs and bolt/screws in the original post - but the original ones listed above by MavMeister25 will work just as good. It's just a matter of preference. I didn't need 4 tie-downs, and I wanted Torx head screws so I switched it up. Thanks again to MavMeister25 for the excellent instructions and tips.

 

[Dcooke35]

Thanks for posting this. I completed this simple project this weekend using the parts and doing the same setup you did. I would like to take away any fear of tapping the holes on the bed floor, you will not tap into anything using a standard tap. I poked a small screwdriver down the hole and never hit anything. That was my biggest worry going into to this add on. Thanks again.

 

[nospam56]

While I likely will do this, adding the bed rail is probably more suited to my initial needs.
Bikes and taller things like furniture come to mind.
I see some kits on Amazon for the bed rail but a search here hasn't led me to anything useful yet.
Those holes are actually threaded and ready to go so I certainly thought I'd find an interesting DIY project or two here. Pointers and suggestions appreciated.

 

[Oldgaffer]

I thought the holes were already threaded.. hard to tell as the spray in liner has filled them a bit.
Good to know they are not, will be digging out my 6mm tap today


Excellent post!

 

[Oldgaffer]

Excellent write up!

I have an Xl and added the 2 missing upper tie downs close to the tailgate. When I used an M6 tap for the holes it seemed to tap too easily. The tie downs seem to be very secure, nut I am nervouse to tighten the bolts too much.
Does anyone else feel like maybe the holes where slightly larger then the standard M6 tap size?

 

[hamm107]

I just added these 4 tie downs to my 2025 XL this morning. The M6 tapped easier than the M8, but they both felt normal to me and the threads that they produced looked normal also. I put a reasonable amount of torque with a normal sized allen wrench and they all feel secure. I had more spray in liner in the M8 holes that are on the bottom of the bed, and not as much in the M6 holes that are on the vertical surface.

 

[Oldgaffer]

I just added these 4 tie downs to my 2025 XL this morning. The M6 tapped easier than the M8, but they both felt normal to me and the threads that they produced looked normal also. I put a reasonable amount of torque with a normal sized allen wrench and they all feel secure. I had more spray in liner in the M8 holes that are on the bottom of the bed, and not as much in the M6 holes that are on the vertical surface.

Thanks for the reply... I have not tapped that many holes lately (please do not read into that statement! ), so maybe I remember it being harder (again... do not read into that!).

 

[Cancunbadlands]

The base XL only comes with 4 tie-downs. I added 4 more. I used an aftermarket tie-down on the side wall rear at the TOP similar to the one already installed by Ford. For the ones on the FLOOR towards the front I used a flip anchor ring. I’ll leave a link to all these parts below.

You’ll need a tap wrench with bits that can cut M6-1.0 and M8-1.25. See image attached for which one is which. I can confirm that my job was done 100% correctly and that I used M8-1.25 on the front end floor holes even though Ford says they are M6-1.0. Don’t listen to them. They’re flat-ass wrong.

You’ll also need 4 hex bolts that are 20mm long and match the M6-1.0 on side wall holes, as well as 4 hex bolts that are 20mm long and match the M8-1.25 floor holes.

Ford uses nylon or plastic washers on the side wall tie-downs between the tie-downs and the bed. Seems odd to me since washers typically go under the bolt. Anyway, I included ones that match the specs Ford used. I didn’t use any washers on the floor flip ring anchors.

One tip when tapping the threads is to use some oil. I used WD40. Im sure somebody will criticize that but it worked fine. Also make sure to be as straight as possible when cutting and go in reverse a little bit every time you make a full turn. Blow out the holes with compressed air afterwards to remove metal shavings. Wear goggles or close your eyes!

I didn’t put anything on the side walls where the optional rail goes on higher trims. Some people put in eye bolts but I don’t like that idea since they can turn easily when torque is applied and they’re not as stable. But those pre-tapped holes are M8-1.25 if you’re planning on adding something.

Good luck and enjoy your Maverick

LIST OF PARTS:

Tie-downs for side wall rear:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07M5W1VJ8?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Flip anchor rings for floor:
https://www.autozone.com/tie-down-a...rest-black-1-200lbs-anchor-2-pack/1204154_0_0

M6-1.0 20mm hex bolts for side wall tie-downs:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DHKZ6H7Q?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

M8-1.25 20mm hex bolts for flip anchor rings on bed floor:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BWY37CDF?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Nylon washers for side wall rear tie-downs:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BS5L49NH?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Tap wrench:
https://a.co/d/hjkromf

M6-1.0 tap:
https://a.co/d/cHRZFQ8

M8-1.25 tap:
https://a.co/d/9NMaSgX

Do you know what size for the bed rail?

Sponsored