I searched all of the MX4 threads but did not find an answer.

I am getting ready to install a MX4 tomorrow and while reading the instructions is states that the rails need a spacer on the 2017 Superduty. My rails came with the spacer pre-installed, but when I hold it up to the truck rail the spacer prevents the cover rail from sitting level.

Did anyone else have this issue?

Did you just remove the spacer?

What is the best way to remove the spacer (chemical, heat, brute force)?

Thanks in advance for any input.

Dave

 

Take the spacer off and it'll fit like a glove. I had to strip mine off too.

 

The instructions suck and so do the two videos I watched with both saying to keep the rail top flush with the bed top so to me that meant they both have the same elevation and the top of rail matches the top of bed. I called and felt retarded when I got the answer that they sit flush but I watched the videos and both made it more complicated. The channel sits on the corner of the bed rail and they just want the rail pressed down against top of bed.

The other reason their "great instructions" are not great is because if shows I need a spacer but nothing came in the box and after worry about it for a while and looking through my stuff I skipped it. From what y'all are saying they are preinstalled. Never saw it.

If you don't mind could you explain where it was so I can see if I may be able to get a better fit after locating it. Mine appeared to fit good.

The locking slider for the apparently unneeded rod supports, on one side the revits aren't installed right and the slider doesn't go up properly. Also on the install of the panels the assembly was sloppy, leaving glue or something unsightly coming out of the brackets the joint the panels. For the price the charge it's low to mid grade assembly and not having much in the way of decent hardware(cheap post threads and bucks) it reminded me of the $100,000 ski boats that have terrible assembly and engineering.

 

My BakFlip F1 confused me, too. Came with a spacer, but the spacer was too thick. I had to get them to send me the thinner spacers and use those. The problem is if you have the plastic rail caps and the spray-in bed liner. They are supposed to give you two sizes of shim kits but mine didn't have them.

Definitely take the spacer off.

 

Gentlemen,

Thanks for the responses. Looking at the way it fits with the spacer I figured they had to be stripped off or the clamps misalign the rails, but I just wanted to make sure I didn't miss something before removing them.

Thanks again,
Dave

 

The instructions do say that you have to install the spacer for Super Duty, but it also says they are preinstalled on F150's. If you look at the inside corner of the Cover Rails (the area that touches the inside edge of the truck box) you will see a small piece (approx. 1/2" wide x 1/8" thick) of plastic, those are the spacers.

My hardware kit was labeled "Hardware kit for Ford F150", so I assume they are just using F150 parts to assemble Super Duty kits; not a big deal it just causes a little confusion.

Their instructions do need some work though.

 

I just installed mine the other day and it fit perfectly. I don't have the instructions in front of me from the kit I bought, but I don't recall it saying anything about a spacer. I have the plastic rail caps and a Line-X liner in my truck and I did not receive, nor need, any shims. I still have the box it came in in my garage, so I will look for any left-over stuff.

I hope I didn't miss something!

 

I ordered the F1 as well. If you had to have them send you the thin spacers I assume they don't come with every order. I'll see what's in the box when it arrives. Thanks for the heads up.

 

I contacted Bak when I was trying to figure mine out. The tech basically told me to take them off. They were seeing a bit of variance in the aluminum beds, and some needed them and some didn't. So just remove them and the rails will fit right up. Don't fight trying to get them square with the spacers for 45 minutes like I did!

 

I have a F1. The rails had the shims pre-installed. I installed the cover with no problems.

 

On a bright note, if you find ANYTHING wrong with it, contact their warranty department. I found a small hole on the underside of one of the panels and reached out to them, thinking I would just fill the hole with a putty or something like that. They shipped out a brand new one within a day or two, with instructions to simply destroy the original...