Does anyone know why on my 04 SCREW that there aren't any openings in the bed caps for anchor points? I would like to install some - I guess I need to cut the bed caps?

 

The screw is the only one without anchor points. The 6.5' and the 8' bed have 4 and 6 respectively. Beats me as to why the screw has zero.

-ii

 

Flareside doesn't have stake pockets either. I gues because of the composite bedsides on the flareside. Since the new Screws don't have the composite sides, they may have the pockets under the caps but this is just a guess. Be careful if you remove the caps because I've read that the little clips underneath are prone to breaking off insted of unsnapping.

 

True but on the flaresides we do have those cool looking tie downs on the outside of the bed that are anchored into the steel inner bed sides. They are actually pretty tough too.

 

When I took my 05 Scab in to have the bedliner installed ( it was a cold day) they did break the clips and had to replace both caps. The tech said they come off easier on a warm or hot day. The caps cost about 65.00 each. I'm glad Ford paid for it.

 

FWIW: A few months ago I went to the local aftermarket truck parts shop, asking about cap rails. I asked the owner of that shop the same question, frustrated that I had limited choices because of the lack of stake holes on my FX4 Scab. His theory was that Ford assumes the "pros" will have only the longer bed trucks, and they engineered the short 5 1/2 foot bed for light-duty "homeowner" use, and therefore doesn't want to encourage the use of heavy racks and high loads. He also guessed it was maybe a possible liability issue, too, for us "casual" users. Maybe there's something to it.
Larry in SF, CA

 

Homeowners have needs that require an overhead rack too. I need a place to transport mycanoes.

Frustrating

 

I also have a canoe. When I still had the Ford, I bought a Yakima "dry dock" rig that attaches to the trucks 2" hitch receiver tube. It's height adjustable, overbuilt, somewhat heavy, but very secure and strong as hell. I now use it on the Tacoma. Down side is that you can't fully open the tailgate when this is attached. Thule makes one, too, for a bit less $$, but it's also less stout. Here's a link:
Larry
http://www.backcountryracks.com/himobora.html