Job 2 Builds Eliminate Need For J-Braces ?

[FreezingFlatlander]

It looks like Ford has completely re-designed the structure of the front corners of the box to strengthen things up. Looks like they are now using some heavy metal on the box corners. I can't tell for sure but it looks different

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[Whyknot]

I think the black structure you're seeing in the top of the J2 picture is on the bottom left corner of the J1 picture. Not a huge change, but the part that was riveted in is now welded at the very least. Looks like it extends up over the joint as well.

 

[olefordguy]

If that is the case its good to see that ford corrected the issue that should have never been there in the first place. Now ford needs to do the right thing and fix the issue in the trucks built prior to the change by installing the j braces at no charge. That was a serious omission IMO.

 

[Peter949]

They diagnosed a design flaw and did corrective action. Ford should address the issue with the Rangers out of the factory with that flaw

 

[GManGeno]

The job 2 picture is just looking up at the joint, while the Job 1 is looking at it from the right tire well. To be sure we would need a job 1 picture looking up.

Honestly, that picture doesn't look any different than what I saw when I installed my J-Braces a couple months ago. Since I already installed mine, I can't verify since my braces cover the weld spots which again, I am not 100% positive but pretty sure there were welds.

Also, if that is true then I would expect Ford to change the specs regarding the max bed rail weight for the job two Rangers.

 

[Davko]

Very interesting. I wonder when that change occurred and how strong it makes this area compared to the J brace. I just looked under my Ranger XLT and I have this design.

 

[Davko]

The job 2 picture is just looking up at the joint, while the Job 1 is looking at it from the right tire well. To be sure we would need a job 1 picture looking up.

Honestly, that picture doesn't look any different than what I saw when I installed my J-Braces a couple months ago. Since I already installed mine, I can't verify since my braces cover the weld spots which again, I am not 100% positive but pretty sure there were welds.
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Very good point by “GManGeno”. I think he is correct. Here is a picture from another thread, with a different angle.

 

[jrRaptor]

I see pinch welds (weak) and painted over adhesive. Nothing that still won't require J-braces.

 

[Jason B]

What we really need is a pic of Job 1 before and after J-brace install, and Job-2 straight from factory.
This is a 3d model of the brace installed.

 

[Whyoming]

I agree with the other posters it's a view from the bottom and the side.

I have installed the brackets myself and they are beef and those images do not look as substantial. They have weight to them, and if you see them, they are obvious. I didn't take photos of the process, because the instructions are good and there's a good YouTuber Flaberdoopin who posted the process. The two hardest parts are getting a drill in there at the right angle, if you have compact drill it might be easier (I have a Rigid full size), and the second hardest part is the stupid clips from the fender when you pull it off and have to remount them (I didn't have any trim tools), only have to take off part of it. It is aggravating that they aren't installed, but I imagine this is something that the frame didn't have problems with until you've really driven it hard (and took a few years to show the stress or fatigue) as maybe is what has been done in other markets and it took a few years to show issues (there's a guy in Mexico 5g and one in the 6g forum that posted a photo of his bed cracking).

Anyways good luck getting them on, it's pretty straight forward install (buy the rivet gun from Harbor Freight ~$27 with tax ). I was ticked more that every dealership I spoke with about putting them on was saying it would cost $400 - 1000 for labor to have them done, and I didn't understand why it said only $192 on the Ford Accessories websites for the labor. Either way it's done and I'm driving blissfully happy now.

To answer the question from the original poster, I do not think they have changed the assembly line to have them installed, still something you need to have done.

 

[Blue Ridge Raptor]

Got around to looking at mine today & looks like the J-brace install is on my “to-do” list. My build date is/was 5/24. Although I will not ever install a topper or toolbox - and don’t plan to jump any sand dunes (unless I need to escape a zombie attack!), I will sleep better knowing I put the braces in (myself).
My question is: assuming I use the OEM (Ford) braces, have above average shade tree mechanic skills, access to a full array of needed tools & an enclosed garage - how long (hours, days) should I expect the job to take? My typical approach is to allow double or triple the estimated time to do any job Because I’m pretty meticulous.
thanks!

 

[FreezingFlatlander]

Someone will probably tell you it took an hour & a half but I struggled removing those plastic rivets that hold the wheel well liner in place and then drilling, removing the two metal pop rivets. I took the wheel off which makes for better access. I don't remember the exact time taken as did it over a 2 day period but guessing 5 hours. If a person had a handfull of those plastic rivets and just sheared the originals off, replaced them with new ones it would cut the time and aggravation. I gave up on drilling out the metal pop rivets and sawed them off with a sawsall but others seem to be able to drill them out. Bolting the J-Brace in place will be the easiest part of the job. The instructions do not say to remove the wheel well liner completely, only remove the fasteners on about the front half and then bend the wheel well liner enough to gain access to bolt the J-Brace in place. You will probably break a clip or two when removing the trim piece around the wheel well but the kit that Ford supplied contained some clips.

 

[Blue Ridge Raptor]

Thank you FF! Great tip get some extra trim clips in hand before I start!

 

[RangerDangerStranger]

I think the black structure you're seeing in the top of the J2 picture is on the bottom left corner of the J1 picture. Not a huge change, but the part that was riveted in is now welded at the very least. Looks like it extends up over the joint as well.

That's not a weld. that's some type of Glue. Mine has this.

 

[wlarsen76]

At least if they were installing them on the assembly line, that might explain why they have been out of stock for 2 months.

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