When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I am missing some piece of information and am embarrassed by my lack of knowledge and no amount of poking around has led me to the answer so if anyone here can educate me I would appreciate it. My 24 F-350 CCLB came with brackets installed for bed cleats in four locations in the bed. I bought some cleats which were supposed to fit this model but all the cleats I can find have to slide up into a slot in the bracket but my brackets from Ford do not have a slotted hole just 2 identical holes the same size. I guess I could buy some cleats that come with brackets and replace everything but I guess this whole process has confused me. FWIW this is my first truck since a 1994 which I sold in 2004, learning on the job I guess. The picture is of what is installed on the truck.
For 24, Ford switched to these new tie down plates instead of the Boxlink plates used on previous years. These new plates are just anchors and do not accept accessories like the old style. You will need to swap them out if you want to use Boxlink compatible cleats.
Buy a few motorcycle tie down straps and loop them thru the plates and leave them. If you ever need to use a rachet strap just attach the hook to the strap you looped thru the plates.
For 24, Ford switched to these new tie down plates instead of the Boxlink plates used on previous years. These new plates are just anchors and do not accept accessories like the old style. You will need to swap them out if you want to use Boxlink compatible cleats.
The Boxlink plates will also accept E track accessories. I found it easier to use them than the Boxlink cleats. They were a very tight fight and I thought it was a pain trying to slide them in or out. In fact the last couple of trucks I let them go with the truck at trade time, still unopened in the factory packaging.
As Randy said you could also use motorcycle "soft tie" straps that have a loop on each end. Generally used on handlebars when strapping a bike down.
The Boxlink plates will also accept E track accessories. I found it easier to use them than the Boxlink cleats. They were a very tight fight and I thought it was a pain trying to slide them in or out. In fact the last couple of trucks I let them go with the truck at trade time, still unopened in the factory packaging.
As Randy said you could also use motorcycle "soft tie" straps that have a loop on each end. Generally used on handlebars when strapping a bike down.
That's good to know. Might just get a set of the Boxlink plates, and a bunch of E-track D-rings.
FWIW, I think the Boxlink cleats, even though they were a tight fit (we left them in place on my FIL's truck), are MUCH more useful than these new tiedown plates that won't accept most ratchet straps. Heck even the tie-down points on my Ram are better than those plates.
I just went through the same thing... went from a 2019 CCLB to a 2024 F-350 CCLB and aske about where the cleats were... the dealer didn't even know that ford has changed the plate so the cleats don't work anymore. I just ordered these.
I just went through the same thing... went from a 2019 CCLB to a 2024 F-350 CCLB and aske about where the cleats were... the dealer didn't even know that ford has changed the plate so the cleats don't work anymore. I just ordered these.
I’m not against spending money. What advantage do these tie down cleats have over a simple strap looped thru the plate?
I don't want to leave a strap looped through the plate, and all my ratchet straps all have hooks that won't fit between the back of the plate and the bed of the truck. I want something that's going to hold things securely, and I think my lightest-duty strap is rated for 1k lbs and go up from there.
The old box link cleats allowed for larger hooks and no extra straps that could get lost or break, as well as giving a good place to attach the looped end of a rope to if you needed to use a rope instead. BoxLink also allowed for a host of other Ford-branded accessories such as their stowable ramps and whatnot, though it sounds like those didn't have a high take rate.
Knowing now that the box link plates accept E-track components opens up a whole WORLD of options for things other than just tie-downs. Tool mounting, hanger brackets, whatever you might need is available through E-track.
For 24, Ford switched to these new tie down plates instead of the Boxlink plates used on previous years. These new plates are just anchors and do not accept accessories like the old style. You will need to swap them out if you want to use Boxlink compatible cleats.
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.
