Finding the threaded holes in the bed (for extra tie-downs) with the factory plastic drop in bedliner...

[a_bartle]

Is there an easy way to locate the in-bed threaded holes that are covered up with the drop in plastic bedliner? I want to add a couple tie-down clips, so I need to drill a hole in the plastic bedliner to access the threaded mounting holes. Is there an easier way other than disassembling the liner?

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[Cromwell]

Is there an easy way to locate the in-bed threaded holes that are covered up with the drop in plastic bedliner? I want to add a couple tie-down clips, so I need to drill a hole in the plastic bedliner to access the threaded mounting holes. Is there an easier way other than disassembling the liner?

What model Maverick do you have? In an XL not all the holes are threaded.

 

[a_bartle]

XLT

 

[SVTRIDE]

Is there an easy way to locate the in-bed threaded holes that are covered up with the drop in plastic bedliner? I want to add a couple tie-down clips, so I need to drill a hole in the plastic bedliner to access the threaded mounting holes. Is there an easier way other than disassembling the liner?

There are no locators molded into the DIBL that ID where the threaded holes are. I just removed my DIBL, permanently, in order to install L-Tracks. I mapped out the threaded hole locations in order to fab up the L-track I then installed. There are qty 4 M8 x 1.25 threaded holes in each of the truck’s bed sides, plus the 2 M6 x 1.0 screw holes that capture the forward tie down ring.

You can use the 2 forward M6 holes that capture the tie down ring as reference points and project a line through those holes to map out where the 4 other M8 holes are you are trying to locate using the dimensioned picture I attached. I’d first put down some masking tape on the DIBL to allow you visibly mark out the locations. For the most part, all 6 holes are collinear. Remember, FORD uses metric dimensioning when designing their vehicles. Good Luck. Post up a pic of your success.
PS. Careful when fastening into the bedside holes as the threads have paint on them. I ran a thread chaser or tap down them first to clear out the paint. Then a bit of anti-sieze on the fastener threads.

 

[a_bartle]

SVTRIDE,

Thanks for the info and measurements. Wow, it appears to be a lot more complicated than I thought it would be. I was "thinking" of dropping the sides off (hopefully not too difficult), popping in a bolt with some chalk or lipstick on it, then lean the side back up there to mark it. I think I'm only going to utilize the hole just up from the wheel well (to the rear), adding an extra tie-down point on each side.

I did a search (https://www.mavericktruckclub.com/f...illing-holes-for-bolts-and-accessories.43830/) and there they mentioned that the hole locations are "marked" on the back side (I'm assuming the factory DIBL?), which would be great, but of course, I've not confirmed that...

 

[SVTRIDE]

SVTRIDE,

Thanks for the info and measurements. Wow, it appears to be a lot more complicated than I thought it would be. I was "thinking" of dropping the sides off (hopefully not too difficult), popping in a bolt with some chalk or lipstick on it, then lean the side back up there to mark it. I think I'm only going to utilize the hole just up from the wheel well (to the rear), adding an extra tie-down point on each side.

I did a search (https://www.mavericktruckclub.com/f...illing-holes-for-bolts-and-accessories.43830/) and there they mentioned that the hole locations are "marked" on the back side (I'm assuming the factory DIBL?), which would be great, but of course, I've not confirmed that...

Yes, you can pop off the 2, side tie down rings and remove the one screw holding in the DIBL and transfer hole positions by your stated method. I wasn’t sure how big a clearance hole you wanted to cut in the plastic side wall as the sidewalls are not very precise to the sheet metal side wall. The OE holes are about 1” in diameter, thus the black tape on the metal to hide the body color paint through the DIBL.

 

[a_bartle]

Thanks for info, very much appreciated! I'll take some pics when I get into it, maybe will help others if they are trying to do the same thing...

 

[a_bartle]

Sooooooo, quick update. It was pretty easy actually. Unbeknown to me removing the side panels was easy (especially after watching this vid: https://cdn.penda.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/08155749/MAVERICK_INSTALL_VIDEO_FINAL.mp4). So I removed one panel at a time, screwed in a bolt in the desired hole (but not all the way). Placed a piece of tape above it on the upper rail as a "marker" so I'd know approx where it was at. Slid the side panel back in to place, then took a hammer and lightly tapped on the panel where the bolt was at (again, using the tape as a guide, and you could also kind of "feel" where the bolt was sticking out). Removed the panel and I had a nice "mark" on the plastic where the bolt was. Drilled the hole, put everything back together, and installed my extra hold down bracket. Then repeated the process on the other side. Overall was not as difficult as I thought it was going to be.

 

[kabobble]

What model Maverick do you have? In an XL not all the holes are threaded.

Hi.
I purchased a new 2024 XL Hybrid 2 weeks ago. I noticed a few days ago, when attempting to relocate some of the tie-down hooks, that the 4 tie-down hook holes on the floor of the bed toward the front of the truck are not threaded. (The M6 bolts just drop into them.) Regarding your comment, is this a common “problem”, and if so, are you aware if it something that the Ford dealer will correct? If not, I’ve considered other solutions such as installing well nuts or jack nuts, but the holes would need to be bored out to accommodate them. I also considered self-tapping bolts. I would love to know what the best solution is. Thank you so much.

 

[Cromwell]

Hi.
I purchased a new 2024 XL Hybrid 2 weeks ago. I noticed a few days ago, when attempting to relocate some of the tie-down hooks, that the 4 tie-down hook holes on the floor of the bed toward the front of the truck are not threaded. (The M6 bolts just drop into them.) Regarding your comment, is this a common “problem”, and if so, are you aware if it something that the Ford dealer will correct? If not, I’ve considered other solutions such as installing well nuts or jack nuts, but the holes would need to be bored out to accommodate them. I also considered self-tapping bolts. I would love to know what the best solution is. Thank you so much.

See

You could get the dealer to do it. I bought the parts from Amazon and got an auto shop to tap the holes.

 

[kabobble]

See

You could get the dealer to do it. I bought the parts from Amazon and got an auto shop to tap the holes.

Cromwell: Thanks much for the great info & video. Gonna get me a metric tap & die set! Regards.
Kabobble

 

[kabobble]

SVTRIDE, Thanks for providing such detailed and accurate measurements to locate the M8 holes on the sides of the bed! I used a Forstner drill bit and I hit them right on the first try. Now I'm just waiting for L-tracks to arrive. Cheers!

 

[Ray-n-AVL]

Is there an easy way to locate the in-bed threaded holes that are covered up with the drop in plastic bedliner? I want to add a couple tie-down clips, so I need to drill a hole in the plastic bedliner to access the threaded mounting holes. Is there an easier way other than disassembling the liner?

This is what I did...

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