Written: February 23, 2022 – Updated: December 30, 2022
- Cost: $45 (tracks) + $24 (stud fittings) + $17 (shipping) + $13.50 (screws) = $99.50
- Bought two 24″ L-tracks from US Cargo Control along with four L-track single stud fittings to go with it. There are other sizes, I just opted for the two-footers
- The Maverick’s pre-drilled screw holes are threaded and require M8 screws
Unfortunately, the pre-drilled holes on the Maverick and L-tracks do not line up, so I initially planned to drill 2 extra countersunk holes in the L-tracks to make it fit. The tracks system really does look nice AND are quite light. According to the site details, they weigh together 1.2lbs.
Next issue: the Maverick has M8 holes, the tracks use 1/4″ countersunk hardware (though I found M6 screws fit better than the 1/4″). So now some holes need widening
**Below is the original post I made using a drill to try and widen the holes in order to accept the M8 screws. It is lengthy and time consuming and ugly, honestly. Read on if you like, but ten months after the fact, I found out that all you need is a M8 thread tap and t-handle tapping wrench. Prepping to tap the threads for the floor anchors (click me!), I tested it on these bedside rails, and wow. In what took me originally a few hours, took maybe 2 minutes. Plus, it’s MUCH nicer looking.
You might be able to use a chamfer or a deburring tool to try and set the screw flush, but I don’t have those tools yet. Thanks for reading! The L-tracks are still super awesome, and great quality looking at them even now. I was able to use them once and they were solid solid solid. However, Ford now offers a Cleat Tie Down Kit for $400 if you want something official**
Original post start
After having fun using power tools to expand the holes, I realized that the countersink bit I had was too small. Huh.
After test-fitting it in the truck bed, I returned to happily make holes. This part was fun, and it was awesome to have success making the hole until…
...major problem reached. Because the holes needed to be in the wrong part of the track, there was no way to get the countersink bit in. That’s not that big of a deal, but the screw not fitting in there at all is a huge deal.
Nothing worked.
So, Plan B it is. Went back to the truck bed for further scrutiny, then planned to enlarge 2 of the holes since they were both just off by maybe half a centimeter. Easier said than done. Still the issue with too small of a counter sink. This project was becoming a total experimental project. Those beautiful L-tracks were looking quite…worked on.
Plan C was going to be M8 sized eyelet screws. In fact, I might still do that given that there is one screw hole on either side of the bed with nothing it.
Lots of time, teeth clenching, lubricant, and metal shavings later, I was satisfied and went to install them.
YAY!! The screws are absolutely not flush, but I decided that I actually rather like it since I didn’t spring for rail end caps and the screw heads act a bit like stops for the stud fittings.
Ignoring the weird drilled out holes, it looks pretty good! Just have to make sure not to hook anything to the ends and focus any force near the screw holds.
Pretty proud of myself and definitely learned new things today. Like to not brush at metal shavings with your bare hands because little pieces of metal in your finger is painful.
