EGR J BRACES

[SoCalMike]

I got mine today, $101 including tax. They look like a pretty decent product, fairly straightforward instructions. My kid the body tech is going to help me put them on. (Who am I kidding, I am going to help him.)
The necessity of even having to do this pisses me off though, FORD should have put them on from the factory. First time I’ve heard that you have to remove the upper tie down bolts and use the new ones supplied with the kit. I am guessing maybe they are longer but they have a regular hex head instead of a torx. Plus I have to “disturb” the factory spray in bed liner.

I had these braces installed as well with an EGR bedcover. Later I installed molle panels in the bed and had to remove the front tie down bolts to secure them. When I did this nuts fell to the ground I was not expecting to be there. I’m assuming now the braces are NOT even secure after learning how these were installed. Great, I wish I knew ahead of time. Do the braces from Ford use these same tie down bolts?

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[fordgt]

I had these braces installed as well with an EGR bedcover. Later I installed molle panels in the bed and had to remove the front tie down bolts to secure them. When I did this nuts fell to the ground I was not expecting to be there. I’m assuming now the braces are NOT even secure after learning how these were installed. Great, I wish I knew ahead of time. Do the braces from Ford use these same tie down bolts?

I was wondering about that also. I would imagine your j braces are loose up top. I found a source for 8 mm x 40 torx head bolts. I am going to order them before I do the braces so I can have matching bolts.

 

[SoCalMike]

I was wondering about that also. I would imagine your j braces are loose up top. I found a source for 8 mm x 40 torx head bolts. I am going to order them before I do the braces so I can have matching bolts.

I have confirmed they are now loose on top. Attached is a photo when they were installed I just found. It appears the current braces sold by Ford for the Raptor do not use tie down points as shown in this video, am I correct?

 

[SoCalMike]

So I guess I should replace those braces with these so the tie downs are left alone: https://accessories.ford.com/ranger-raptor-2024-load-box-reinforcement-kit-vn1wz2627726b

 

[StillwaterRaptor]

You are correct. The ford braces don’t use the tiedown bolts.

 

[scurvy]

Hey everyonen (1st post)-
I picked up my Ranger Lariat 2.7 last week and saw this post about the load box reinforcement kit. The Ford Accessories site says that this kit is only needed for Rangers built before 9/12/24, and according to the Ford parts site, my VIN equates to a build date of 9/18/24. So, I assume I am OK and don't need this installed.

I just sent an email off to the sales guy to check with the service manager, but I would appreciate it if someone can verify the above information.

Thanks.

 

[fordgt]

So my kid brought his kid over for a visit today. My kid is a Master Certified body tech (Audi, BMW, MB, etc.). We talked about the braces and mentioned the pop rivets were reported to be the most difficult part of the job. He looked at them and said in the shop they would not drill them out. They would grind them with a belt sander. Says they have them with 1/4 inch belts. He is going to bring one when we do the job.
I realize not everyone has access to one, just passing on another idea to do this job.

 

[Hootbro]

So my kid brought his kid over for a visit today. My kid is a Master Certified body tech (Audi, BMW, MB, etc.). We talked about the braces and mentioned the pop rivets were reported to be the most difficult part of the job. He looked at them and said in the shop they would not drill them out. They would grind them with a belt sander. Says they have them with 1/4 inch belts. He is going to bring one when we do the job.
I realize not everyone has access to one, just passing on another idea to do this job.

Need to be careful with any grinder as the liner material under the rivet head is pretty thin to begin with.

This is one of those things I think Ford should have stuck to plastic rivets or push pins

 

[stemplar]

No. Ford only requires these for extreme off roading use only.

No, if they said that in the past they are no longer making that assertion. Here's the text from Ford's Accessories website (https://accessories.ford.com/ranger...ement-kit-for-non-raptor-models-vn1wz2627726a):

Fits These Vehicle
Ford Ranger 2024

• Required when installing accessories extending above the load box side rail and weighing more than 88lb (40kg)
• Required for vehicles built before 9/12/24

 

[SubaruRaptor]

No, if they said that in the past they are no longer making that assertion. Here's the text from Ford's Accessories website (https://accessories.ford.com/ranger...ement-kit-for-non-raptor-models-vn1wz2627726a):

Fits These Vehicle
Ford Ranger 2024

• Required when installing accessories extending above the load box side rail and weighing more than 88lb (40kg)
• Required for vehicles built before 9/12/24

That is also wrong, as people have checked raptors built passed that date that do not have them included.

 

[stemplar]

That is also wrong, as people have checked raptors built passed that date that do not have them included.

As the URL (https://accessories.ford.com/ranger-2024-load-box-reinforcement-kit-for-non-raptor-models-vn1wz2627726a) indicates, that is for non-raptor models.

But for raptor models (https://accessories.ford.com/ranger-raptor-2024-load-box-reinforcement-kit-vn1wz2627726b) there is no mention of the September 12 date nor the off-road requirement. So, again, if they said it's only needed for off-road then they're not saying it now on the brace product pages.

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