2022-2024 Ford Maverick: DIY Bed Rail Anchor System

For under $75 DIY How-To build your own Ford Maverick cargo box rail and anchor system far more versatile than factory and for a fraction of the cost. Full how-tow with tutorial and parts list.
Website Tutorial: testdriven.tv/2...
DIY Drop-In Bedliner Install: • 2022-2024 Ford Maveric...
DiY Tie Down Install: • 2022-2024 Ford Maveric...
DIY Power Outlet Install: • 2022-2024 Ford Maveric...
TestDrivenTV Garage is a place we can step of the stage and talk nuts-and-bolts with in-depth "how it works" about the latest automotive technologies and "how to do it" videos for auto maintenance and repairs.
#FordMaverick #MaverickAccessories
Our partner channel: / testdriventv

[@SoulG03]

Just got my Maverick, 24, and just hit 1100miles. We just took our first family vacation with it and now i'm ready to start planning out the bed. This is super helpful as I want to build a bed rack that can be covered by a tonneau cover. Thanks for this!!!

[@Coachjonathan_]

You are killing it Sam! Maverick owners are gonna watch your content for years to come!

[@puzzleetpuzzles7951]

I've been watching him since 1932

[@urbo42]

My 2023 XLT hybrid ordered with all available packages did not come with the rails, so I bought the Ford system ($600 ish CDN). Wish I had seen this video first!. Just installed it today.

[@NonieTools]

I am glad I got my xl hybrid after almost a year and a half of waiting! Love your videos like this. This is exactly what I was looking for!

[@anjamesonusn]

Best video I've seen on this. One thing I'd add is to use stainless steel bolts.

[@christenhildebrandt4546]

Looks great. This is the one project I will do if I get a maverick!

[@Scottzilla2014]

F150 owner.... Gonna make this work!

[@noneyabusiness969]

Another option for the anchor points, use 1/2" square strut washers, and 1/2"x13tpi eye bolts, and finish off with 1/2"x13tpi strut nuts. The square washers can be torqued down on with impunity, and will be beefier while also better held in place.

[@dh5370]

probably going to back the strut with another square washer at each mounting bolt. this will allow me to thread straps behind the strut for even more fastening options

[@3DollarBackpack]

Did this in my Ridgeline - works great.

[@rcppop3090]

Fantastic video! Thanks 🙏🏼

[@marinoint]

Thank you very much for sharing! This is very useful. Much appreciate it.

[@readplanet23]

This is great, simple, and very useful DIY upgrade to any pickup or flatbed truck. It has a factory look and I imagine it is stronger and more durable. Thank You for the well produced video. Keep up the good work. Have A Productive Day! 🛻🧰🔧

[@aknmtbr]

I’m going to do this for my bed bulkhead below the rear window to mount traction boards.

[@joshportelli]

Finally someone doing full length rails. I also removed front attachments to get full length rails to better secure bed cover, bed rack, and maybe tie downs, but already plenty of tiedowns around

[@NonieTools]

I'm looking into getting ladder racks with a tonneau cover. What kind do you have?

[@zed4229]

with the Xl you can reuse the removed front tie downs and use them in the upper real location for extra win

[@billblanchette3604]

Did you install that through non spray-in in bed liner? That's pretty neat if so...

[@AlexanderTheGR88]

About to do this to my tacoma so I can use my tonneau cover

[@loubaril2627]

Parts list ?

[@howlieboy]

Love your videos. Any chance adding a keyless entry pad is on the list?

[@timnguyen60]

Where do i buy bed rail system ? Thanks

[@TDTVGarage]

It discusses in the video where parts can be bought.

[@pelaomaster96]

Hi Sam! Can you give me the distance between each hole? My Latam Maverick come with the bed liner from production and they arr all covered by the plastic… Also, I already have a lot of accesories (rails, tonneau cover, rack) as to take off al of the, so I wanna find the first hole and make the others from this measure that I’m asking for Regards!

[@KenBuckwalter]

great video. unfortunately, when I got my bed liner installed they didn't drill out any of the holes for the side railing. I guess I need to see about un-installing the side to mark out the holes that need to be added.

[@TDTVGarage]

The sides are very easy to remove, just a single screw at the lower rear corner.

[@KenBuckwalter]

@@TDTVGarage thanks for the info. When you drill the holes for the side, What size is the circle?

[@Ka0sNinja117]

Can you add these hooks to the rail system Ford has on the XLT? I would love to have more than one adjustable anchor point per side but Ford's are too expensive!

[@koolone3791]

Very nice

[@Silverback_GMT410]

Funny enough, that rail system could have been picked as a no cost option without the Lux Pack. Ford failed to tell people on their website.

[@brucetesta-j2i]

Hi Sam, Great video. I have a 24 Maverick with the drop in bed, similar to your configuration in the Video. The bed does not have any predrilled holes to mount the rails. Do I need to drill the holes, and if so, what is the guide to indicate where to make the holes? Thanks

[@TDTVGarage]

The bed does indeed have pre-drilled and threaded holes in the steel (as shown in the installation video). The bedliner may not. You have to remove the bedliner panels and drill holes in it first before you can see/access the holes in the steel. See our bedliner installation video for more information. kzbin.info/www/bejne/Zni1mGN7mrOneZYsi=O67lYtHZEx_pEqFK

[@peterbarlow8912]

What if your cargo is 2x4’s flat on the floor? Anchors that high off the deck only tie stuff that high or higher. My ‘16 F150 has eyes at the deck in all four corners where they need to be to secure lumber.

[@TDTVGarage]

The Maverick has floor level anchors.

[@peterbarlow8912]

Not visible in the video. One shot shows bare bed with nothing visible. Next shows dreaded drop in bed liner with no eyes visible. Next video? The F150 has 4 E-track sockets that I have the provided boat style cleats in but the floor eyes is where all the action is.

[@austinkuhn3664]

M8 x 125 don’t seem to fit the threaded holes. They thread for a moment, but I can’t get them to turn further. Any suggestions?

[@immigrant6902]

You are using American thread bolts instead of metric.

[@rileydavis1447]

Great video! I’m wondering if it’s possible to do the same thing but with shallow strut; do you know if this is just as possible with the shallow alternative?

[@mykey06]

Do you happen to have the links for the parts. That would be great! Thanks for the video!

[@TDTVGarage]

You can get them at your local big box retailer. Search them online, various types and manufacturers.

[@frankhouck4446]

So, I’ve been watching a few of these videos and several people use 2’ length which only gives 2 bolt down locations. Some use 30” to utilize all 3 M8 threaded inserts while still keeping the existing upper tie down at the back of the bed (which makes sense - why would your Remove one and add 2 when you can just add 2 and keep the existing). I have some extra gold galv Unistrut left over from an HVAC install I did and figured I’d just cut it to 30” pieces and install these DIY rails. Then I looked at the Bed length and realized there was a much easier and less intrusive way. I’m just going to get a 10 pack of heavy duty V-ring black truck anchors with one 5/16” mounting holes for $20 (will accommodate M8 bolt) and mount 6 of them in the 6 open threaded holes on both sides (combined). With a 52” long bed, 5 tie down points approx evenly spaced across the top will work just fine. I won’t ever need adjustability beyond this.

[@gp1200x]

Thats what I'm doing too...just don't put too much tension on them...who knows how much support those holes holes really have...definitely not 1500 lbs like some of the hooks state on them (which is doubtful!).

[@xxgg]

what would be a good way to rust proof those parts?

[@TDTVGarage]

The rails are e-coated with zinc already and the eye bolts are stainless steel so.....

[@MonkeyShinesG2]

Looks like you have the drop in bed liner… did you have any trouble locating where to drill the holes in the liner to line up with the threaded factory holes behind?

[@TDTVGarage]

We have an install video on our playlist that can answer all your questions.

[@mikek.8668]

Are those 3/8"-16 threads on the eye bolts?..btw thanks for all of the fun maverick projects.

[@manuelcervantes4480]

Hello, thank you for you videos their very helpful. I was looking online for the bed rails but can’t find them I’m from California, where did you get your bed rail and hardware?

[@TDTVGarage]

Home Depot, Lowes, most any hardware store that sells building materials. C and B channel is commonly used by electricians and plumbers, HVAC installers.

[@michaelluksich2162]

Do you have links of where you secured the parts involved? Thanks!!!

[@TDTVGarage]

Nope. Commonly available at any hardware store.

[@johnsavoie3409]

Good ole unistrut

[@DaWahine79]

These shoulder eye bolts are hard to find!!! Home Depot only has 2 inch ones😟

[@twotones1220]

So what was the mistake from the Ford video?

[@BigHitBoxBandit]

It looks more like A channel struts not B channel struts?

[@BigHitBoxBandit]

I am fairly certain its A channel. Please correct me if I am wrong.

[@HungCLieu]

Hi Sam, great video as always ... I am a big fan of yours ! Hey question for you: Any particular reason why you are using a "Channel A" type of strut ? I am thinking of using a Channel B type of strut for this project (the channel is not as deep). And, in my local big-box store, the Channel B strut that they sell is 14 gauge instead of 12 gauge and it's not as heavy. Is there any downside to using a lighter-weight strut (14 gauge channel B type strut) ? Also, would the 3/8" strut cone nut that you recommend here, would that work for the Channel B strut as well ? Or, if not any suggestions ? Thanks !

[@TDTVGarage]

We're not sure how to answer most of your questions, try it out and let us know.

[@NonieTools]

In the video he says he's using B channel strut, but I believe he meant to say A channel.

[@megancollins8167]

Can someone help with where you ordered the m8 x 1.25 bolts, I ordered some and they were too big?

[@highclass76]

Look at Ace Hardware i bought mine from there

[@pucman1]

What is the thread pitch on the cone nuts?

[@TDTVGarage]

Coarse

[@highclass76]

Is it a M10 course thread on the eye bolts you are using?

[@YankeeDave75B2O]

I am not seeing a parts list!

[@TDTVGarage]

It's on our website tutorial linked in the information section as stated in the website.

[@rileydavis1447]

Great video! I’m wondering if it’s possible to do the same thing but with shallow strut; do you know if this is just as possible with the shallow alternative?

[@TDTVGarage]

Should be if the anchors fit into it.

[@thats_really_cool]

thats what i used but you wont be able to slide the anchors past the mounting bolts. not a problem for me as i mounted it at center and ends only with three hooks .