2024 Ranger Bed Cap "shims"

[vivasjm]

GoFastCampers came up with their own design, you might email them to see if they will sell you a set. This pic is from a member here who posted at the GFC Forum.

https://forum.gofastcampers.com/t/2024-ranger-raptor-installation-gfc-question/28921/9

I am not sure why they felt the need to use two monster 12 mm bolts per spacer, and those huge recesses will just trap moisture. If the spacers were made of plastic, that would be a non issue. Aluminum on steel plus water equals corrosion! I would invert them and use 3M double sided tape underneath and clear single sided tape on top to correct that problem. They won’t go anywhere once your accessory is in place.

John Davies
Spokane WA USA

I'm looking for those spacers, do you know where I can buy them?

Sponsored

 

[John E Davies]

I'm looking for those spacers, do you know where I can buy them?

Please follow up with details and the price….

John Davies
Spokane WA USA

 

[Mlowery1]

Please follow up with details and the price….

John Davies
Spokane WA USA

Just spoke to someone over the phone at GFC.
They said that as of right now they are only machining those spacers as they install campers on new rangers. So they do not have the “spare” parts to sell.
He said maybe in a couple months but to keep bugging them about it, i definitely let him know there’s an interest for the part.

Any other recommendations on where we could find an alternative solution?

 

[John E Davies]

Any other recommendations on where we could find an alternative solution?

It depends on whether or not you need the accessory to sit flush on top of the plastic rail trim. if so, a local machine shop will make them if they are provided with the precise measurements, but it will be very expensive, unless you can convince one to make a large batch at one time.

Or you can try the aftermarket accessory companies that specialize in Rangers.

If you do NOT need precise height, the accessory can sit above the trim piece, then you can buy a length of 1” thick aircraft grade 6061T6 aluminum rectangular stock at a metal supplier, and get out your hacksaw and files; or there are many eBay sources for small delrin (acetal) remnants in custom sizes. That material would be my choice, but soft plastic won’t be at all suitable. Delrin is really easy to cut and drill.

Delrin plate 1” thick

It sucks, doesn’t it? It is such a completely unacceptable situation for you to have to do this to your new truck, but not have the Ford parts readily available. OTH the manufacturer of the bed accessory should supply them for any item made specifically for 2024 Rangers…

John Davies
Spokane WA USA

 

[Mlowery1]

It depends on whether or not you need the accessory to sit flush on top of the plastic rail trim. if so, a local machine shop will make them if they are provided with the precise measurements, but it will be very expensive, unless you can convince one to make a large batch at one time.

Or you can try the aftermarket accessory companies that specialize in Rangers.

If you do NOT need precise height, the accessory can sit above the trim piece, then you can buy a length of 1” thick aircraft grade 6061T6 aluminum rectangular stock at a metal supplier, and get out your hacksaw and files; or there are many eBay sources for small delrin (acetal) remnants in custom sizes. That material would be my choice, but soft plastic won’t be at all suitable. Delrin is really easy to cut and drill.

Delrin plate 1” thick

It sucks, doesn’t it? It is such a completely unacceptable situation for you to have to do this to your new truck, but not have the Ford parts readily available. OTH the manufacturer of the bed accessory should supply them for any item made specifically for 2024 Rangers…

John Davies
Spokane WA USA

Agree, definitely sucks.. shame on me for buying a new model year car LOL

 

[Mlowery1]

I did however receive word from smartcap, so it’s promising. Will keep everyone posted!

 

[sikedsyko]

Anyone find someone selling ready made shims yet? Buckleup offroad said their shims are delayed pending some manufacturing equipment updates. Shouldn't be too hard to make my own, but I'd prefer to buy an off the shelf part.

 

[sikedsyko]

I uploaded a test file to Xometry a while back to see how much it would cost to CNC a run of these spacers. Their initial quote was around $100/set of 6, but have since dropped it down to around $56/set. I know now that I need to tweak the design a little bit since the plastic bed cap isn't uniform in height, so the rear most shim needs to be about 1/8" shorter than the front 2.

Would there be any interest in these if I were to buy a bunch of sets? I need to order about 10 sets for the pricing to be econonomical. I'd probably try to sell them for $100/set shipped.

Mine is a pretty simple design with the bolting flange on top (this was what I needed), but wouldn't be too hard to modify where the bolting face is inset like the GFC design. Would plan to anodize them black, it doesn't cost much more if you do a decent size run.

 

[Albatross Bill]

I ordered aluminum shims from 1.25 inches width x 3.0 inches long x 1.0 inches deep from On-Line Metals. Then drilled and tapped the shims for 3/8 inch studs. I wanted to make sure the shims were higher than the plastic bed caps such that any weight will be applied to the truck bed. The tolerance on the depth cut is -0.0 to +0.125 inches. I selected the cut with a chop saw. The other option was band saw. I ordered 10 shims to have some extras in case I had some issues and was delivered to my house in about a week. The cost was less than $100. I’m waiting on the tonneau to be delivered so I can determine how high the bed rack needs to be.

Link to On-Line metals: https://www.onlinemetals.com/en/buy...angle:Alloy:6061:Thickness:1.25%22:Width:3%22

 

[Geotoxic]

I am interested at 100 or less per set of 6 shipped. Let me know. Saves me the trouble of fabricating one!

 

[John E Davies]

EDIT to my previous post. I had my Go Fast Campers Topper installed a week ago.

Here are those RR shims, there are THREE different thickness, tallest to the front, and they used regular small hardware to install them, not monster bolts. BTW, the plastic Ford covers fit right over the top, so you can't see the shims afterwards. I emailed them a second time asking about other members being able to purchase a set, and the price, but have not heard back yet. previously they have been unwilling. OTH, try asking, the more the better:

support@gfcengineering.com

This first pic has some digital wierdness going on, they don't look jagged.

I am sure the GFC ones are clear anodized, but I am also sure they will trap water on top, in those pretty recesses, and corrode, and there is the dissimilar metal corrosion issue (lying on top of a steel tub). I plan to remove my Topper, and seal these covers correctly after applying Boeshield T9 protectant liberally to the aluminum parts.

John Davies
Spokane WA USA

 

[maybetyler]

I made myself some using my 3d printer in petg. If you have a 3d printer here is a link to the model so you can print it: https://makerworld.com/en/models/950806#profileId-918689

 

[Garaged]

Where can you even find replacement plastic covers (just the snap-in Ford ones on top that have the warning on them)? The reason I ask is I might need to cut through one and route a cable (antenna) through it, but I also want to have spares of the covers just in case.

Secondarily, if you just want to seal the covers up for waterproofing/dustproofing the bed , are the shims needed? Can't you just caulk / RTV sealant around the edges and be done with it? I have a BAK Tonneau cover that doesn't cover the bed caps completely, thus the question.

 

[John E Davies]

I made myself some using my 3d printer in petg. If you have a 3d printer here is a link to the model so you can print it: https://makerworld.com/en/models/950806#profileId-918689

That is very cool, however I caution folks to be careful about not overloading those spacers. PTEG is good for light duty stuff, but it won’t hold up to a really strong load like a metal or delrin one will. Plus, high heat will soften and deform the spacers in a minute less than no time, like parking in mid summer Texas sunshine…




John Davies
Spokane WA USA
Bambu P1S, still learning it…

 

[24' Reptar]

I am glad I stumbled on this thread. I ordered the new leitner designs bed rack for the RR. I was hopeful that they would have addressed this issue but prepared as though they had not. The later ended up being the case. Back in the day we used to use hockey pucks for makeshift body lifts on our high school trucks. I grabbed a couple pucks from the ole hockey bag and got to work. Made a jig to cut them to width, then ran them through the table saw to get them to the right thickness. They're 1" thick to start and I wanted them to be 7/8" to sit flush with the molding. I've seen some have issues with aluminum shims and corrosion. I also do not have any experience with 3D printing or a 3D printer. Pretty simple and inexpensive. Less than $10 if you have the pucks. Probably less than $20 if you have to buy them.

Sponsored