Day: February 12, 2022

Ford Maverick DIY FlexBed’s Projects

updated 2/12/2022

This is just a written-out version of the DIY instructions by Ford found in their videos HERE. My experience with attempting some of the projects are HERE.

Bed Divider

  • Cut wood to size and place into built-in slots to create dividers
    • Rear Board (near tailgate): 54in
    • Front Board (near cab): 43-1/4in

Bed Side Rails

  • Materials Needed:
    • Two – 30in, 12-gauge, half slotted metal framing strut channels
    • Four – 12-gauge, blue, strut end caps for B-series channel
    • Four – 3/8″ x 11/16″ machinery eye bolts
    • Four – 3/8in nylon strut cone nuts
    • Four – 3/8″ x 1-1/2″ fender washers
    • Six – M6 – 1.0 x 25mm internal hex, button-head cap screw (See note below)
    • Six – 1-1/4″ Fender washers* (see step 2-C)
    • Metal File
  • Ford’s How-To Video: HERE
    • Make sure to use safety gear (glasses, gloves, etc)
    • Step 1 – Smooth the Edges
      • After cutting the metal struts into 30in pieces, smooth down the edges with a metal file
    • Step 2 – Insert Cone Nuts
      • Insert 2 nylon cone nuts into each rail (will be used to attach eye bolts later)
      • Align the rail with the center of the bed
      • Attach rail to bed with the M6 bolts and 1-1/4″ fender washers
        • N.B. The video never mentioned these 1-1/4″ fender washers in the materials list, and then it appeared in this step
    • Step 3 – Attach Eye Bolts to Spring Nuts
      • Slide the nylon cone nuts to desired location for the eye bolts
      • Place 1-1/2″ fender washers on each eye bolt and screw into strut cone nuts
      • Add end caps to rails
    • Done!
    • Note: The linked video calls for M6 screws, but the pre-drilled side holes in my Maverick are larger than M6’s. The original video from Ford calls for “a mix of M6 and M8 screws.” At this point in time I have yet to get my hands on M8 screws, so I don’t know for sure yet.

Bike Rack

  • Materials Needed:
    • One – 2″ x 6″ Wood Board approximately 43.25in long
    • Two – Bike Fork Mounts (that fit your bike)
    • Six – #10 x 1-3/4″ Wood Screws
    • Four – Ratchet Tie Down Straps
  • Ford’s How-To Video: HERE
    • Step 1 – Position the Board
      • Insert board at wheelhouse area (near the cab)
      • Smooth edges with sandpaper if needed
      • Fit should be snug but not difficult
    • Step 2 – Attach Fork Mounts
      • Measure 14-3/8″ from either side of the board
      • Mark the center (3 inches) of each measurement
      • Align the fork mounts centered on the marks
      • Mark hole positions
      • Drill pilot holes with a 13/64″ drill bit
      • Align mounts over the holes
      • Drive screws in
      • Insert board with attached mounts into bed
    • Step 3 – Attach Your Bike
      • Remove front wheels and attach to fork mounts
      • Secure the mount fasteners
      • Use ratchet tie downs to secure the seat tube to the anchors on truck bed sides
      • Pass straps of another tie-down across the top tubes and attach it at both sides
    • Step 4 – Secure Tires
      • Position wheels between the board and truck bed (against the cab)
      • Use adjustable strap to loop the wheel, wood board, and floor anchor together
      • Make sure all straps are secured tightly
    • Done!

Bed Rail Lighting

  • Materials Needed:
    • Two – IP86 Rated Waterproof Lighting Strips
    • Soldering gun
    • Roll of Electrical Tape
    • Package Electrical Shrinkwrap
    • One – IP86 rated Waterproof Switch** (see N.B. at end of section)
    • Pair of Wire Strippers
    • Push-Pin Cable Ties
    • Scrap Wire
    • Heat Gun
  • Ford’s How-To Video: HERE
    • Safety Check!
      • Disconnect Battery
      • Never illuminate while driving
      • Make sure lights do not project above the rails
    • Step 1 – Find the Wire
      • Find wire (make sure battery is disconnected!)
      • Remove the 12-V access cover on D-Pillar and pull the wiring harness from the holder
      • Unwind tape connecting the wire
    • Step 2 – Thread the Wire
      • Thread wire from top of pillar down to the harness
      • Use electrical tape to secure the end of the wire to the matching connector pigtail provided with your truck
      • Pull wire from the top so you have sufficient length of the pigtail to solder to your accessory
    • Step 3 – Heat the Wire
      • Stripe wires from accessories
      • Slide on shrinkwrap before making the joint
      • Solder red to red, and black to black
      • Slide shrinkwrap onto the joint
      • Heat shrinkwrap with heat gun until tight on the joint
      • Push connector plate back inside the D-pillar
    • Step 4 – Attaching to the Bed
      • Use cable ties to attach the lighting so they shine towards the adjacent bedside
      • Cut lighting to length, peel off backing to attach to bed, tighten and trim cable ties
      • Determine desired location of switch and secure
    • Re-connect battery
    • Done!
    • N.B. It is never clarified in the video, but I assume that you have to repeat on one side what you did on the other? Do you run the strips along the far back of the bed to the other side to connect them? The video shows cutting the light strip to fit one side. Or maybe have 2 switches, one for either side if you want 2?