The J-brace is now an active “customer satisfaction program”

[SurfRanger]

How long did you wait for the J-bracket after ordering? Mine has said partially received for over a month.

mine took like 3 weeks. ordered it the week before receiving my RR and got it two weeks later. talked to Ford PR and they opened a case and got it escalated to the ford Logistics team and then it magically shipped 2 days later. Prior to that I had the "partially received" bs too. it means nothing sadly.

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[SyphioD]

since mine was delayed shipping to the dealership and I already had my GFC camper installed and was about to do an offroad trip... I was about to tell them to give me the part. issue a refund for the labor and take it home to install it myself reluctantly. I knew I could do it I just really didn't want to that myself since working with trim pieces and plastic clips is the bane of my existence hahaha

Wondering how the GFC is mounted? Did you keep the plastic bed rail covers on or did GFC design to remove it? I haven't seen most of the wedge producers mounted on a 6g ranger just yet aside from yours.

I started corresponding with Topo Toppers and Oru Designs. Topo stated they bolt through the bed rails. Both are able to accommodate the new 6g bed but need measurements. Not sure if it should be done with the plastic rail covers removed which doesn't seem trivial.

 

[Johnny 5]

How much was installation? I’m headed in tomorrow for mine but wasn’t sure what they’re going to charge.

I don't have anything on my bed that needs the brace support, but i got them anyways. I used my points for the braces, which covered the cost of them, and paid 330 in labor just like everyone I've seen in the forums pay. Now that I'm hearing that they had to cut away some metal, possibly, I'll have to get it reundercoated in that area with this waxed base undercoating I had it done with that lasts 14 years.

 

[AndyAndy]

I don't have anything on my bed that needs the brace support, but i got them anyways. I used my points for the braces, which covered the cost of them, and paid 330 in labor just like everyone I've seen in the forums pay. Now that I'm hearing that they had to cut away some metal, possibly, I'll have to get it reundercoated in that area with this waxed base undercoating I had it done with that lasts 14 years.

I had it done a week ago and it was a bit over $400. I used some points to bring it down to $300. That was without the cost of the braces. I’m over $500 for the braces and installation. Like you, I don’t have anything to mount such as a canopy but I plan on seeing what bed racks become available.

 

[John E Davies]

Wondering how the GFC is mounted? Did you keep the plastic bed rail covers on or did GFC design to remove it? I haven't seen most of the wedge producers mounted on a 6g ranger just yet aside from yours.

I started corresponding with Topo Toppers and Oru Designs. Topo stated they bolt through the bed rails. Both are able to accommodate the new 6g bed but need measurements. Not sure if it should be done with the plastic rail covers removed which doesn't seem trivial.

As per an email a couple of days ago, GFC “redesigned the billet block mounts” for the Ranger Raptor. And they clamp the unit directly on top of the Ford plastic trim pieces. They do provide custom spacers to go into the “stake holes” to carry the load. I am trying to get closeup pics of these parts, they have only done one Raptor I think. I will start a new GFC thread if I get more info.

Leaving the plastic bits in place bothers me, but done correctly, the installation should be fine, but it will be necessary to seal the bottom outside edges where they meet the steel bed or they will leak dust and water. I doubt that GFC does it, they don’t allot enough time for extra steps like that.

My GFC Topper is scheduled for late November 2024. I sure hope I can get the bed reinforcements before then ;(

This pic is the RR they just completed.

John Davies
Spokane WA USA

 

[SyphioD]

Seemed like the RR brackets were plentiful when I ordered, maybe availability/allocation is different if ordering direct to your household vs. to a dealer with installation?

I have a feeling the GFC is fine on the plastic rail covers, it is a much lighter and "open design" than some other models. I agree they are likely not overly concerned with preventing dust and water ingress for the buyer during install.

I do wonder if the other manufacturers who have a much more sealed up bed wall approach (i.e. no side wall openings) would need to redesign or refactor things based on the bed structure. Not sure I would have given any of this a second thought on my prior truck where there are no warnings about mounting on plastic bed covers and offroad bed mounted weight braces but here we are.

Those ARE install instruction make it seem like taking the covers off is necessary for any kind of cap.

 

[craigc]

Wondering how this CSP is being communicated. Were it not for this forum, I'd know nothing of the J brace issue. That being said, my ford account says no CSPs. Are others seeing something different and maybe mine isn't affected? Lariat FX4.

 

[StillwaterRaptor]

Hudson ford is the one who insists on $500 lo-jak on all their vehicles. Don’t waste your time.
Have you considered a local shop like Braun Automotive in Bayport. They might do it for you. I did it myself so a reasonable shop that isn’t the dealer can do it IMO

So, Hudson Ford (Wisconsin) wanted to charge me $535.81 + tax and shop fees... I told them I would just pick up the part and find someone else to do it.
I'd be fine with paying over the $192 fee on Ford's Accessary site, but that's highway robbery.
Anyone have a recommendation?

 

[CrudeBacon77]

Wondering how this CSP is being communicated. Were it not for this forum, I'd know nothing of the J brace issue. That being said, my ford account says no CSPs. Are others seeing something different and maybe mine isn't affected? Lariat FX4.

I do see the CSP on my end. Also Lariat FX4. I don’t think the trim matters.

 

[craigc]

I do see the CSP on my end. Also Lariat FX4. I don’t think the trim matters.

Interesting. What was your blend date? Mine was 4/24. Did you order any cover/topper from ford? Seems like more inconsistent messaging from Ford…. I looked at my box and see where the braces would go and instead just see the seemingly small weld joint, so it’s not like mine had any modification already. I plan to throw rails and bike carrier/ rack over the rails , who the heck knows but probably even loaded while off roading some day, so this issue is a concern. Especially if if affects warranty.

 

[wlarsen76]

Hudson ford is the one who insists on $500 lo-jak on all their vehicles. Don’t waste your time.
Have you considered a local shop like Braun Automotive in Bayport. They might do it for you. I did it myself so a reasonable shop that isn’t the dealer can do it IMO

Really?! $500 lo-jak? That place has sold twice in like 5 years. I'm not buying cars from them and I'm not getting service there anymore. I had purchased the j braces from Hudson ford, but they wanted so much for the install that I just ended up returning them.

I re-purchased them from the Ford Accessories site, and I am going to get AutoNation Ford in White Bear Lake to do the install. That was a couple of weeks ago now and I'm still waiting on the J Braces to come in.

I figure the best case is that White Bear Lake Ford will do the install for the $192 I paid for it. If they don't, I'll still take the J Braces this time and then I'll just find a shop to do it.
I've watched the videos.. I probably could do it myself, but I'm nervous about drilling out the rivets and I don't have any tools to cut the steel.

 

[markal49]

Interesting. What was your blend date? Mine was 4/24. Did you order any cover/topper from ford? Seems like more inconsistent messaging from Ford…. I looked at my box and see where the braces would go and instead just see the seemingly small weld joint, so it’s not like mine had any modification already. I plan to throw rails and bike carrier/ rack over the rails , who the heck knows but probably even loaded while off roading some day, so this issue is a concern. Especially if if affects warranty.

What does it mean that it's a CSP?

 

[CrudeBacon77]

Interesting. What was your blend date? Mine was 4/24. Did you order any cover/topper from ford? Seems like more inconsistent messaging from Ford…. I looked at my box and see where the braces would go and instead just see the seemingly small weld joint, so it’s not like mine had any modification already. I plan to throw rails and bike carrier/ rack over the rails , who the heck knows but probably even loaded while off roading some day, so this issue is a concern. Especially if if affects warranty.

Well that report I saw online by looking up recalls for the Ranger, not from my ford account. Haven’t ordered a topper from ford but do have one on the way. Not sure the blend date I got my Ranger as it was incoming to a local dealership, got lucky!

 

[craigc]

What does it mean that it's a CSP?

CSP is Customer Satisfaction Program. In other words, not a safety recall, but a notable thing that they know is affecting customer sat. I'm not sure the difference between it and TSB (technical service bulletin), but in my ford account, it only shows recalls and CSPs (both none on my VIN).

 

[craigc]

Well that report I saw online by looking up recalls for the Ranger, not from my ford account. Haven’t ordered a topper from ford but do have one on the way. Not sure the blend date I got my Ranger as it was incoming to a local dealership, got lucky!

I did too from a lot - not so much as lucky as was just pissed off my order is still in Michigan purgatory and got tired of waiting!

So you did a generic search. would be curious if you (or anyone) see anything if you search by your VIN at https://www.ford.com/support/recalls/. I tried a few VINs sitting on dealer lots, including raptors, and none of them show a CSP when searched by VIN.

BTW the blend date is listed on top of any window sticker. https://fordwindowsticker.com/

Oh, and I found the CSP is also listed as a TSB: https://www.tsbsearch.com/Ford/23P22

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