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2018 F-150 w/ 8' bed. After delivery I noticed that there are four locations near each corner of the bed where a cargo hook would go. There are four unthreaded holes in a square pattern at each of these locations.
So my question is how may I use these mounting locations to retrofit cargo hooks? Does Ford offer cargo hooks that can be attached to these locations? Are there third party products that should be considered? Also, I am about to get a sprayed-in bed liner so is there something I should have them do to preserve my options?
TIA for any and all replies.
The four corners on the floor? Ours came with hooks (or "loops") installed at each corner. I had no idea they were bolted in; all the times I've looked at them, they appeared to be welded in. Now I have to go look.
As OEM on all trucks (?) you should have tie down hooks near the floor on the walls in front and back of the bed.
Optional is the "Box link" setup, which uses plates that attach to the mounting spots you describe higher on the inside walls of the bed. The plates and hooks are available from Ford or elsewhere:
Google "ford box link accessories" and you will see the plates, the hooks, ramps, bed divider, and other aftermarket items that attach.
I would get the plates and thread the holes before a spray in, or at least ask the bed liner people to mask off the holes.
Threading them sounds easy but I found I will have to pop my drop-in bed liner out to be able to do a decent, straight job of it. I think I'm going to unload that and go another way on the bed liner anyway. But I digress.
My longbed has the hooks as shown in the pics from 85e and also the same bedliner with the round holes but mine has a cover that fits over the holes so mulch, gravel or whatever doesn't go in there. They worked fine when I had 48 bales of straw in there. Your truck doesn't have those hooks?
The four corners on the floor? Ours came with hooks (or "loops") installed at each corner. I had no idea they were bolted in; all the times I've looked at them, they appeared to be welded in. Now I have to go look.
My truck is exactly as pictured here. I have the plugs for the bed liner, in a bag with the box of box link stuff.... I'll get a round to it soon.
I did not get such a bag so did I get short changed or are these fixtures optional? I did get the towing package for something like $995 and that was listed on the window sticker.
I did not get such a bag so did I get short changed or are these fixtures optional? I did get the towing package for something like $995 and that was listed on the window sticker.
Sorry to word it in a confusing way. The plugs for the bed liner are in a bag. I have yet to pop them in. The box link stuff is in a box. I bought those from the dealer after the sale. (my truck is an XL) Both items are waiting for me to install or whatever, when I get to it.
In your case, IF you had box link, it would be on your window sticker. The plates would be on the bed walls already, and the "hooks" with the key would probably be in the cab as suggested above.
If you have an XL, I believe the Box Link is an option that you have to add on. It comes standard on the higher trims. But, that's where the Box Link mounting plates go. You should be able to find them online, as well as the cleats and other accessories that mount to them. My truck has the plates but apparently the PO kept the cleats, so I will be ordering them at some point.
I just looked at Ford's Build & Price- on the XL, the towing package does not include Box Link. It's a separate $80 option. If it was in fact listed on your window sticker, somebody forgot to put those on.
Here's a Site that i got browsing around for these Box Link Kits
Here's the Part # FL3Z-9928408-AB Bed Interface Plate HL3Z-99000A64-A Bed Cleat Premium Locking
I got about 20% off these parts they are a great supplier!!!
Last edited by ecoboost12; May 14, 2018 at 02:56 PM.
Reason: Correct spacing
Thanks all for the clarification and illumination. It's clear that I didn't get shortchanged as these are optional on my XL. Interesting that they each have a lock and, I would assume, are keyed alike. Threaded attachment bolts would seem to undermine the value of locks so I am wondering how the factory installed items are attached. Rivets?
Thanks all for the clarification and illumination. It's clear that I didn't get shortchanged as these are optional on my XL. Interesting that they each have a lock and, I would assume, are keyed alike. Threaded attachment bolts would seem to undermine the value of locks so I am wondering how the factory installed items are attached. Rivets?
Ours is an XLT and they were in a box under the back seat. They were all keyed alike. We also go the loading ramps, and those were installed in the boxlink slots on delivery. As it happens, the ramps hang on the wall in the garage, and the boxlinks stay installed 99% of the time. The only time I use the ramps is when we are hauling something like the ATV or the 36" self-propelled mower. I think the mower is north of 450 lbs, and the ATV must be around 750 or 800.
