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Custom bracket to mount load bars to BoxLink cleats
Since I bought my truck, I've been generally dissatisfied with the BoxLink cleat system. To me, the more modular system in Toyota trucks (for example) makes a lot more sense. I've never seen a need for a lock cylinder on the cleat. For the better part of the last year, I've acquired parts and hardware in pursuit of a plan to mount load bars across the top of the BoxLink cleats and still keep whatever functionality the cleats provide as anchor points. I've just gotten the most critical part done.
This is a custom-fabricated bracket that I had made. I made the CAD file and shared it with a guy who was able to cut four brackets from around 1/8" aluminum:
The load bars are black Thule crossbars that I bought as replacement parts for their XSporter rack. They're 72", so I need to have them cut down to the right length for the bed, and I just realized I don't have the fasteners to bolt the brackets to the cleats... but that's all that's left to do.
This system will allow load bars to be mounted below the bed rail height for bike racks, etc. It could be really useful for those with roll-up tonneau covers... although, I am currently using a SofTopper. The bars should be pretty easy to remove and store. I'm happy that after many months, this is finally coming together.
I don't have plans to sell these, and I don't know whether the guy that fabricated them is interested in making more. I'll post more photos as this comes together.
Last edited by DeltaNu1142; 10-25-2019 at 10:10 AM.
OK, bars are cut and mounted. I spent maybe 30 minutes cutting and painting last night, and then 20 minutes installing this morning. The bars are a little painful to install, but I don't plan to do it very often. I first mount the cleat/bracket combo to the bar loosely, then insert the cleats into the interface plates, and finally center and tighten down the bars. Everything's bolted with button-head socket cap bolts with lock nuts or security Torx bolts. All of the bolting hardware is stainless. The bars are pretty rigid. They'll easily hold as many bikes as I want to mount to them. The photos are bad... the SofTopper doesn't let a whole lot of light in and I didn't feel like taking it down for photos this morning:
load bars mounted to cleats load bar assemblies mounted to truck
As far as I know, this is the first time anyone's mounted a true load bar across BoxLink cleats. I don't know why Ford doesn't make something like this available as factory. It's an ideal setup for someone with a roll-up tonneau that wants to carry bikes and still have cargo room underneath. My intention was to have a bike mounting system that lets me keep the front wheels on.
Last edited by DeltaNu1142; 11-05-2019 at 08:30 AM.
Where did you get the cleats with vertically oriented holes? Mine are horizontal and would not allow such a plate to be attached. Very curious as to your cleat set-up as I want to fabricate something to hang on these cleats too,
Where did you get the cleats with vertically oriented holes? Mine are horizontal and would not allow such a plate to be attached. Very curious as to your cleat set-up as I want to fabricate something to hang on these cleats too,
My original cleats were like yours. At some point after 2017 Ford changed them such that the holes were vertical. Otherwise they’re pretty much the same. I just bought newer cleats.
Nice solution to a non problem.
I just use E-Track wood brackets and cut 2x4s.
I did this four years ago, and I’ve also used e-track & 2x4s—if you think mounting load bars is the same as using 2x4s, well… I’m not sure anything I say is going to help you understand.
10-25-2019, 10:05 AM
Custom bracket to mount load bars to BoxLink cleats
