Make your own Maverick bed tie-downs: DIY bed side rail tutorial by Ford

[wyouger]

Any more of these diy videos

Search for "hack your maverick" on YouTube. Ford has published three so far. Plus there are many from owners

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[sunismymed]

Sorry for my delay. Here are some pictures of the full rail and the two trouble spots.

Very helpful post, will be doing something similar. Thank you.
FYI, There are some sources of L-Track that don't have pre-drilled holes.

* How many holes are there on each side of the bed? There are 8mm & 6mm?

* Did you remove any fittings or were the bold holes all empty?

 

[PortlandME]

Very helpful post, will be doing something similar. Thank you.
FYI, There are some sources of L-Track that don't have pre-drilled holes.

* How many holes are there on each side of the bed? There are 8mm & 6mm?

* Did you remove any fittings or were the bold holes all empty?

The pre-drilled holes weren't really the problem although it would probably look cleaner without them. The problem was needing to use the factory hole points which don't line up with the round openings along the rail.

I think it was 4 8mm holes (which were empty) and then 2 6mm holes where the factory tie down is. I removed the factory tie down and moved it to the top of the back of the bed since the XL only came with one back there on the bottom.

 

[sunismymed]

Thanks. I'm going to do something like it. If she ever arrives ...

 

[JanTheSexyVektan]

I just completed this, except for the eye bolts which I should receive on Saturday. I used the half depth struts instead of the square type in the video. M9 screws work for the bed itself. The hardest part was cutting the struts but it is very solid once installed.

 

[Gpp]

How long a bed rail will go in the recessed area of the bed.if there are any existing hooks,and i think there is,i,m taking them out.

 

[bombast]

How long a bed rail will go in the recessed area of the bed.if there are any existing hooks,and i think there is,i,m taking them out.

I fit 36 of rail in without removing the stock hook, could probably get another 4-5 inches in without the factory hooks.

 

[Delbert]

I plan on installing lots of L track. Both on the sides and the floor of the bed. The easiest and cleanest install uses rivnuts which are expanding rivets with threaded holes to bolt into. Watch some videos for how to install them.
You will go crazy trying to match up the mounting points on the truck to the holes in the track.

 

[PortlandME]

I will keep everyone informed once the bed rails arrive at the dealership . . .

Wondering if you ever received the factory bed rails? I've been searching and can't locate the part online.

 

[teh603]

I just put the M8 x 32mm eyebolts in today and they fit extremely well. The only issues is the bolts will tighten at different spots so some look like the hole part will be horizontal and so vertical. One thing I did to even this was to put some thin washers (5/16 will work for these). These eyebolts are not found in stores but I found them on amazon.

Slow down a second big fella. Those eyebolts may be stainless, but what kind of metal are they screwing into? If it's not painted or galvanized you could be setting yourself up for galvanic corrosion. Basically rust but caused by having dissimilar metals touching.

 

[danzez]

Wondering if you ever received the factory bed rails? I've been searching and can't locate the part online.

I finally received the OEM bed rails two weeks ago and I just installed them. Doing so immediately 'upgraded' my XL to an XLT with lux package

All bolts and washers are included and installation was straightforward using the supplied instructions. Follow instructions closely as not all bolts and washers are the same.

Here is exactly what you need to order:

Cargo Management Rail System (NZ6Z-9955200-A)
Price: $220

I was able to get it for $176 by asking that the Ford 20% discount on ordered accessories be applied. The parts manager grumbled but applied the code I supplied directly from the Ford website. I'm not sure if that promotion is still available currently.

 

[houselog442]

Slow down a second big fella. Those eyebolts may be stainless, but what kind of metal are they screwing into? If it's not painted or galvanized you could be setting yourself up for galvanic corrosion. Basically rust but caused by having dissimilar metals touching.

Not sure, i doubt they will get wet, I use a tonneau cover over the bed and I only use them to strap a cooler in place. The main issue is ford gave the wrong size for those bolts

 

[Ferroplasm]

Most B series strut channel that I am seeing available at big box stores is 14 ga. Ford's video suggests 12 ga. Is anyone here familiar enough with these channel weights to offer judgement on whether the 14 ga will be too thin to secure heavy loads?

 

[bombast]

Most B series strut channel that I am seeing available at big box stores is 14 ga. Ford's video suggests 12 ga. Is anyone here familiar enough with these channel weights to offer judgement on whether the 14 ga will be too thin to secure heavy loads?

I used 14 gauge, and it certainly feels solid. I can't image it not being able to handle 1000 pounds a piece.

I think no matter what, the weakest point will be the washers holding the channel onto the truck.

 

[Ferroplasm]

I used 14 gauge, and it certainly feels solid. I can't image it not being able to handle 1000 pounds a piece.

I think no matter what, the weakest point will be the washers holding the channel onto the truck.

That’s kind of what i was thinking. Did you happen to paint the channel? Curious about surface prep since most of it comes electroplated or galvanized.

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