Tie Down Cleats

[GrandpaD]

Out of curiosity (my '24 came with the box link system) on Ford-trucks.com they were having the same discussion regarding the F-350 earlier this year.

Attached is a picture of the new plate in a Ford document. The second picture is a poster basically showing how he used the new plates. Discussion also pointed out you could replace the new plates system with a box link setup or something similar.

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[Lricaud81]

I have the old style as well and honestly dont even understand the design. I would be perfectly fine with the new ones. Seems easier to get a strap to it. I do understand the old plates work with E-Track accessories but thats about the only loss.

Wait the e-track accessories work with the Ford boxlink ? Like the ones that come from factory.
Don't be to hard on me for being a dumbass. Lol.

 

[Popplemer]

Wait the e-track accessories work with the Ford boxlink ? Like the ones that come from factory.
Don't be to hard on me for being a dumbass. Lol.

Yes, but with a lot of sloppiness

 

[antho]

Wait the e-track accessories work with the Ford boxlink ? Like the ones that come from factory.
Don't be to hard on me for being a dumbass. Lol.

Yeah. I have a few straps and other accessories that use the E-track and works fine but a little loose.

 

[Pedaldude]

Boxlink was a stupid gimmick that Ford devised to distract from the issues with anchor points on aluminum beds.

The lack of good anchor points or tie downs, especially down low is one of my biggest complaints with the 8’ bed of my truck. Ford did a better job with the Maverick!

Other than specialty applications, even E-track or other systems have limited utility for traditional pickup truck applications. Really I think just some tie-downs at the bottom of the bed near the cab, the tailgate and on either side of each wheel well are pretty much de rigueur but if I remember correctly, Ford only has the ones in the front corners of the bed and the box link locations are at an awkward height for most loads, I find that most of the time, I would want them lower; or I use the cutouts in the top of the bed.

I use a pair of these for the rear Box Link plates and they wiggle a little bit front to back but up and down is pretty tight and the only annoying thing is that on less than smooth roads; the O-ring flops around and sounds like sleigh bells!

 

[Lricaud81]

I had no idea. I guess it's good for certain things if you need it. I haven't even used my box links to tie anything yet so I don't think I'll be needing e-track but good to know if I did.

 

[Lricaud81]

I can't lie before I'd bought my boxlinks I'd seen the single plate e-track and wondered if I'd be able to put in boxlink mount. But didn't want it to look ghetto so I just ordered boxlinks.

 

[Buyer2021]

The lack of good anchor points or tie downs, especially down low is one of my biggest complaints with the 8’ bed of my truck.
>>>
Really I think just some tie-downs at the bottom of the bed near the cab, the tailgate and on either side of each wheel well are pretty much de rigueur but if I remember correctly, Ford only has the ones in the front corners of the bed

Hmmm, my 2022 500A came standard with 'low' tie-downs at both ends of the 6.5 ft box (the box-link cleats were an option).

Aren't those low tie-downs at all four corners standard with all years, trims, and box lengths?

Yeah, I use 'em all as needed, including the pop-up Bull Rings I added in the front and rear 'bed-stake' holes. No complaints about the box link cleats from me.

 

[UGADawg96]

My 2021 XLT 6.5 also has all four lowers plus box link like the above pic.

 

[HammaMan]

Looks like the new plates are the tie downs. The previous style is a great spot to hold cords and ropes.

 

[JHawk]

I am guessing that the load management option comes with the other plates and when no load management is optioned you get the plate that is compatible with tie down hooks

 

[mwf5888]

My Jun 3 Blended 2024 KR has the old tie-down systems and the four rings in the bed's four corners.

 

[Buyer2021]

The previous style is a great spot to hold cords and ropes.

Yepper, and with the projection and lacking sharp edges they're really great for rope-lashing loads like tall piles of cut brush (rope glides through them very nicely, BTDT).

 

[stevemcbo]

You can buy the old style with the plates on Amazon they include the plates so it would be simple to remove the existing ones and add the new ones. Cheaper that the dealer price.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CFVF3HPK?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

 

[RancidRacer]

My '23KR 5.5' bed has rings in the four bed corners and the boxlink interface.

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