J-Braces

[D. Sampson]

Well, my truck doesnt have them. That sucks.

I've read they are building them differently now at the factory - not adding J-Braces. Your's looks like the updated build. I think you are good to go, but of course, I'm not the authority on the subject. Reference the thread link below with updated pictures.

https://www.ranger6g.com/forum/threads/job-2-builds-eliminate-need-for-j-braces.12163/page-2

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[jedadiah]

Well, my truck doesnt have them. That sucks.

You have the updated bed. No braces are needed.

 

[superj]

Oh, ok. Let me checkbout that thread so i know what i am looking at

 

[engus13]

Yep it says $192 for labor.

https://accessories.ford.com/ranger-raptor-2024-load-box-reinforcement-kit-vn1wz2627726b

My dealership service department has said they will not do the install for this price. The initial quote I got from them was closer to $300-$400 for labor cost.

 

[cc1999]

My dealership service department has said they will not do the install for this price. The initial quote I got from them was closer to $300-$400 for labor cost.

I am not surprised. I am just glad Ford fixed the issue in production on the later builds.
IMO Ford should be putting these on for Free, for anyone that bought an early model with out them.

I had a buddy that does my PPF work and accessory installation work. He installed mine, I think he charged me something like a $150 bucks if memory serves, its been quite a while since I did mine.

 

[engus13]

I am not surprised. I am just glad Ford fixed the issue in production on the later builds.
IMO Ford should be putting these on for Free, for anyone that bought an early model with out them.

This is the thing that gets me. This was such an issue it required a correction in future builds, but to not go back and offer the fix for free to the prior builds is not the way to build any type of brand loyalty.

 

[cc1999]

This is the thing that gets me. This was such an issue it required a correction in future builds, but to not go back and offer the fix for free to the prior builds is not the way to build any type of brand loyalty.

100% it is BS deal for anyone that bought an early build date.

 

[RRaptor6G]

This is the thing that gets me. This was such an issue it required a correction in future builds, but to not go back and offer the fix for free to the prior builds is not the way to build any type of brand loyalty.

Agree! By changing the design mid model year so as not to require the braces is as good as admitting they had a faulty design that needed fixing. Yet not only are they still not issuing a recall or reimbursement for previous owners, now you still cannot even get the required J-braces from Ford, it's like they're not even trying to supply them anymore. I for one still need them and have been trying to get a pair for months. Stuck between a rock and a hard place as I need a topper to secure items carried in the back, but cannot get the necessary part Ford says is required to be able to install a topper! Do better #FoMoCo

 

[D. Sampson]

Agree! By changing the design mid model year so as not to require the braces is as good as admitting they had a faulty design that needed fixing. Yet not only are they still not issuing a recall or reimbursement for previous owners, now you still cannot even get the required J-braces from Ford, it's like they're not even trying to supply them anymore. I for one still need them and have been trying to get a pair for months. Stuck between a rock and a hard place as I need a topper to secure items carried in the back, but cannot get the necessary part Ford says is required to be able to install a topper! Do better #FoMoCo

Awful situation!

 

[Pirategrad]

All Ford Ranger owners who purchased the vehicle before the bed update should submit a safety problem report to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). A bed that falls apart due to putting weight on the bed side rails could potentially lead to collisions with the affected vehicle or other traffic in the vicinity. If Ford engineered a solution to correct future builds and issued a service bulletin for purchasers of a Ford-branded bed topper, it might potentially get their attention. I’ve been contemplating this matter for some time now.

 

[RRaptor6G]

All Ford Ranger owners who purchased the vehicle before the bed update should submit a safety problem report to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). A bed that falls apart due to putting weight on the bed side rails could potentially lead to collisions with the affected vehicle or other traffic in the vicinity. If Ford engineered a solution to correct future builds and issued a service bulletin for purchasers of a Ford-branded bed topper, it might potentially get their attention. I’ve been contemplating this matter for some time now.

Good idea, I just filed a report with the NHTSA. I doubt anything will come of it, but I sure feel like I'm not being heard at Ford (they keep cancelling my order for J-braces, twice now, not sure how I'm supposed to implement their fix), so I'm happy to try a different tact.

 

[D. Sampson]

Good idea, I just filed a report with the NHTSA. I doubt anything will come of it, but I sure feel like I'm not being heard at Ford (they keep cancelling my order for J-braces, twice now, not sure how I'm supposed to implement their fix), so I'm happy to try a different tact.

If you got the J-Braces in hand, would you install them yourself?

None of the Ford dealers around me were helpful with installation. There was a place that installs custom add-ons (lifts, etc...) near me that said they could install them for about a little over $500.

Last September when they were unavailable in the US I ordered them from Australia using the below link and just installed them myself. It looks like they are still available.

https://www.australianonlinecarparts.com.au/canopy-j-brace-kit-for-ford-vn1wz-2627726-b

 

[NASSTY]

If you got the J-Braces in hand, would you install them yourself?

None of the Ford dealers around me were helpful. There was a place that installs custom add-ons (lifts, etc...) near me that said they could install them for about a little over $500.

Last September when they were unavailable in the US I ordered them from Australia using the below link and just installed them myself. It looks like they are still available.

https://www.australianonlinecarparts.com.au/canopy-j-brace-kit-for-ford-vn1wz-2627726-b

How much did the shipping cost from Australia?
I ordered j-braces from my local dealer back in April and still haven't gotten them.

 

[D. Sampson]

How much did the shipping cost from Australia?
I ordered j-braces from my local dealer back in April and still haven't gotten them.

At the time I paid with shipping $234.31 total US = $334.10 AUD. Somehow I had a 10% discount code. Not sure how I got that, can't remember.

I just now added them to a cart and put in my zip code, looks like shipping is the same now as it was back in September.

So back in September the Raptor Jbraces were in AUD:
Cost = $235.05
Shipping = $122.56
Discount = $23.51
Total = $334.10

 

[RRaptor6G]

If you got the J-Braces in hand, would you install them yourself?

None of the Ford dealers around me were helpful with installation. There was a place that installs custom add-ons (lifts, etc...) near me that said they could install them for about a little over $500.

Last September when they were unavailable in the US I ordered them from Australia using the below link and just installed them myself. It looks like they are still available.

https://www.australianonlinecarparts.com.au/canopy-j-brace-kit-for-ford-vn1wz-2627726-b

Initially I was for sure just going to have a Ford dealer do the install, but it's taken so long, and I've watched so many installation vids in that time, I think I've gained the confidence to actually give it a try.

The Australian order is a possibility, are those the exact same as the ones from Ford here in the US? I don't like the EGR braces as they don't look near as beefy. Is the dollar amounts (for parts and shipping) on their site in Aus$ or US$? How long did they take to arrive?

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