Buying a Ranger? Check for the middle tie downs

[HenryMac]

Actually I was baited by the web site that brings up old posts at the end of the threads and sends me emails. ....

Thom, I've gotten tripped into that rabbit hole in the past also.

PS The web site makes more money depending post count.
Support your favorite web site.

Even if it is useless damper related dribble....

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[ScrappyLaptop]

Well... I ordered my tie downs 11-01-2019... and it took a long time to get them... and that was pre-Covid.

Honestly the missing tiedowns would be such a simple good-will item for Ford to take care of. Imagine the PR if they made them available for the asking from dealers once they're available, and better still let everyone know (dealers and customers) that it was going to happen at some point.
That's how you maintain brand loyalty, and it's cheap.

 

[HenryMac]

Honestly the missing tiedowns would be such a simple good-will item for Ford to take care of. Imagine the PR if they made them available for the asking from dealers once they're available, and better still let everyone know (dealers and customers) that it was going to happen at some point.
That's how you maintain brand loyalty, and it's cheap.

Well stated.

Full disclosure... our dealer paid for them once they arrived and I installed them.

I think our July 2019 built Ranger was the 1st brought to their attention that didn't have all six tie downs.

Small town dealer, not a lot of inventory.

 

[D Fresh]

Neither one at my dealer knows it. Oh well I have a couple NEW dealers to call tomorrow and see if I can get my tie downs again.

That sucks. You'd think there would've been some corporate training on it.

Hopefully the other dealerships are close by.

 

[Colo_Ranger]

At my dealership the parts folks have no idea how to charge FordPass points. As a workaround they bill the parts to service, and I walk around and complete the transaction with them as they know the FordPass system.

I bought the tie downs, bolts, and swingcases with my FordPass points and some cash.

Seemed OK to me, despite the cost of the tiedowns, as the FordPass points were basically "free money."

My dealer told me that Ford Pass points were supposed to be used for service. That's why service has to process the ticket. A weird requirement, but I don't doubt that it's true... I also could only find 1 dealer to use the points in my area. I find it weird that Ford Pass points couldn't be used at all Ford dealerships.

 

[Radioman]

My dealer told me that Ford Pass points were supposed to be used for service. That's why service has to process the ticket. A weird requirement, but I don't doubt that it's true... I also could only find 1 dealer to use the points in my area. I find it weird that Ford Pass points couldn't be used at all Ford dealerships.

When I spent my points to buy parts, the parts clerk and I walked over to the service desk where they wrote it up though service and then the parts clerk and I walked back to the Parts Dept and he delivered my parts to me. I think most dealers treat parts sales using the points in this manner.

 

[D Fresh]

My dealer told me that Ford Pass points were supposed to be used for service. That's why service has to process the ticket. A weird requirement, but I don't doubt that it's true... I also could only find 1 dealer to use the points in my area. I find it weird that Ford Pass points couldn't be used at all Ford dealerships.

I did think about that, it could be a requirement.

Not sure where in Colorado you are but Brighton Ford accepts them if that saves you a drive.

 

[thewhiteranger]

Installed my two tie downs. If you have factory spray-in liner, you will need a tap to chase the threads. I was going to leave the liner in the holes for thread locker. No way those fasteners were going in. Factory liner is amazingly strong. There are several inches behind, shouldn't hit anything unless you use a 10 inch tap.

s

same problem -- I ordered a set with bolts and the holes are dunked up with the bedliner stuff do you remember what size tap did you need? I can't get the bolts in and id like to have the third set.

 

[thewhiteranger]

Hi SL,

True Story... The Plant Vehicle Team from Light Truck Engineering stationed at MAP under the leadership of Roger B, who I know personally, deleted the center tie down as a Material Cost Reduction. Roger met his objective and received his bonus and promptly retired to Florida.

So your choices include the following

1. Deal with not having center tiedowns
2. Move the tiedowns you do not use to the center position
3. Beat the dealer too death to give you the "missing" tiedowns as part of the sale.
4. Order a pair of Tiedowns from LevitTown Ford via Benny.
5. Sit here and beat the dead horse and whine and complain

Best,
Phil Schilke
Ranger Vehicle Engineering
Ford Motor Co. Retired

I ordered them - just can't put them in because the Bed liner stuff is gunning up the holes anyone have any idea what size tap to chase the threads with????? oh and Yes to the tailgate damper

 

[Tom_C]

s

same problem -- I ordered a set with bolts and the holes are dunked up with the bedliner stuff do you remember what size tap did you need? I can't get the bolts in and id like to have the third set.

M8 1.25. I used a thread chaser. https://www.amazon.com/Bolt-Thread-...d=1624280845&sprefix=m8+thread,aps,196&sr=8-6

 

[HenryMac]

I ordered them - just can't put them in because the Bed liner stuff is gunning up the holes anyone have any idea what size tap to chase the threads with????? oh and Yes to the tailgate damper

I did a DIY Write up.... Installed Bed Tie Down Brackets

Pretty straightforward. Used a Metric 8mm - 1.25 tap to clean the bed liner out of the tapped holes. And used some never seize on the screw threads. The bolts use a T-40 Torx bit.

And do yourself a huge favor... use/buy a tap handle... don't use an adjustable wrench.

Patience is your friend when tapping small holes. The tap won't just thread in like a bolt, you need to twist, then untwist, twist, then untwist. Allow the tap to do it's job. Untwisting and removing the tap allows the material being cut to be removed from the hole.

 

[thewhiteranger]

m8x1.25

thanks - I knew that was the solution (tap to clean threads) but just haven't gotten around to finding out what size....... harbor freight coming up soon......

 

[Colo_Ranger]

I did think about that, it could be a requirement.

Not sure where in Colorado you are but Brighton Ford accepts them if that saves you a drive.

I live in Brighton. I called them, and they told me they do not accept the points. I had to go to Longmont. They were happy to use the points.

I will have to check with Brighton Ford, if I ever have enough points to use again.

 

[D Fresh]

I live in Brighton. I called them, and they told me they do not accept the points. I had to go to Longmont. They were happy to use the points.

I will have to check with Brighton Ford, if I ever have enough points to use again.

Weird. I've used them for parts and service there before.

 

[LoneRNGR]

I have a bed extender in my Ranger that is used mostly to keep things, like my tool bag, at the back of the bed. Today I have my extender removed, so I was going to tie my tool bag down, and there was no place to tie it!

I guess I’m gonna have to do something about that.

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