Gator SFX GXT-61318 soft tri fold install, and cleaning spray-in liner removal from bolt holes

[Tom_C]

I bought the latest version of the SFX GXT-61318 tonneau cover, mainly because it advertised a very easy install (no tools required) and removal if I needed to remove it to use the whole bed. This new version though comes with 2 metal brackets to install at the bulkhead. OK, I can deal with that I guess.

But, it says to remove the spray-in material from the existing bolt holes with an M8 tap. Is there any way to remove that without a tap? I'm also interested in that so I can add the missing tiedowns.

Anyone installed one of these new version covers, or offer info on removing the liner material?

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[Tom_C]

I saw someone post a thread chaser instead of a tap to clean out the liner material?

 

[Tom_C]

I was searching and finally ran onto this thread from last winter: https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threads/gator-sfx-soft-trifold-tonneau-installation.10048/

I'm going to be busy for a few days, and am waiting on the M8 thread chaser from Amazon. Once I get that I will update about the installation and post some pics.

 

[Tom_C]

Did the install. Used a thread chaser to clear out the spray in liner material.

I linked to a thread asking the question "Do I need to use the metal brackets"? Yes, you absolutely want them. They tuck up inside the bed rail and disappear, but provide a stiff hunk of metal love to clamp the cover to. Works great.

It was threatening to rain so I was in a hurry so didn't get many pics, but here's a few.

 

[WhyNot21]

Did the install. Used a thread chaser to clear out the spray in liner material.

I linked to a thread asking the question "Do I need to use the metal brackets"? Yes, you absolutely want them. They tuck up inside the bed rail and disappear, but provide a stiff hunk of metal love to clamp the cover to. Works great.

It was threatening to rain so I was in a hurry so didn't get many pics, but here's a few.

Just wondering how this is holding up. I need to figure out what I want. Can't decide between a roll-up and a tri-fold at a reasonable price.

 

[Tom_C]

Just wondering how this is holding up. I need to figure out what I want. Can't decide between a roll-up and a tri-fold at a reasonable price.

it’s great, but admittedly have only had it about a month give or take.

It goes on really easily and you can take it off in just a few minutes, that’s why I wanted it instead of a hard folding cover that needed rails or whatever. Of course it’s not quite as secure as a hard cover

 

[WhyNot21]

it’s great, but admittedly have only had it about a month give or take.

It goes on really easily and you can take it off in just a few minutes, that’s why I wanted it instead of a hard folding cover that needed rails or whatever. Of course it’s not quite as secure as a hard cover

Thanks! I park in the garage, so security is not really that important. I really just want something to cover the bed for aesthetics.

 

[Tom_C]

BTW. The dimples at the hinge points, they disappeared after a few days in the sun. Its nice looking for what it is, IMO. I wanted it mainly to help with gas mileage (debatable) and for aesthetics. For $300 it's nice. I also didn't want to install rails and to be able to remove it easily to use the entire bed, etc. It will come off in minutes, just unscrew the mounting clamps at the bulkhead.

 

[Kenn]

Did the install. Used a thread chaser to clear out the spray in liner material.

I linked to a thread asking the question "Do I need to use the metal brackets"? Yes, you absolutely want them. They tuck up inside the bed rail and disappear, but provide a stiff hunk of metal love to clamp the cover to. Works great.

It was threatening to rain so I was in a hurry so didn't get many pics, but here's a few.

I called Gator support and was told that no metal brackets were made to go with the Gator SFX Tri Fold cover for 2019 thru 2022 Ford Ranger. I was told that the Gator SFX Tri Fold is made by Extang. The person I talked to supposedly talked to the design engineers and was told no extra brackets were ever made. Do the brackets have part numbers on them? Who did you buy the cover from? Maybe that company added the extra bracket because Gator/Extang says that no metal brackets were ever made for this cover.

 

[Tom_C]

That's weird, because I bought it from gator directly, and it definitely came with brackets. I don't have a part number.

ADDED: For the record, if you buy one and doesn't come with the brackets, I would still use it, but the bracket provides more beef. There is a bulkhead seal and you need to tighten enough to seal up the front. With that said, I think it will probably come with the brackets, and as you know sometimes the left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing between sales and engineering.

Also, someone else just posted this thread: https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/thre...soft-folding-tonneau-on-my-2021-ranger.14999/

I looked at the extang website, and the cover appears to be the same, but $200 more. Note that the clamps are the same, but the front clamps are not the same on mine as is shown in the video for the ranger extang.

My opinion is the 'design engineer' you mentioned just didn't know the changes to the product produced by extang.

 

[Kenn]

That's weird, because I bought it from gator directly, and it definitely came with brackets. I don't have a part number.

ADDED: For the record, if you buy one and doesn't come with the brackets, I would still use it, but the bracket provides more beef. There is a bulkhead seal and you need to tighten enough to seal up the front. With that said, I think it will probably come with the brackets, and as you know sometimes the left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing between sales and engineering.

Also, someone else just posted this thread: https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/thre...soft-folding-tonneau-on-my-2021-ranger.14999/

I looked at the extang website, and the cover appears to be the same, but $200 more. Note that the clamps are the same, but the front clamps are not the same on mine as is shown in the video for the ranger extang.

My opinion is the 'design engineer' you mentioned just didn't know the changes to the product produced by extang.

I received my Gator SFX Tri-Fold Tonneau cover (GXT-61318) today and the cover did come with the brackets. Apparently the Gator people do not know much about their covers. Thank you for your help.

 

[halligan1201]

I called Gator support and was told that no metal brackets were made to go with the Gator SFX Tri Fold cover for 2019 thru 2022 Ford Ranger. I was told that the Gator SFX Tri Fold is made by Extang. The person I talked to supposedly talked to the design engineers and was told no extra brackets were ever made. Do the brackets have part numbers on them? Who did you buy the cover from? Maybe that company added the extra bracket because Gator/Extang says that no metal brackets were ever made for this cover.

I bought mine directly from Gator in August and there were no brackets and nothing in the instructions about any brackets. It had two sets of attached clamps at the bulkhead end; two attached via the track in the bracket, and two attached via webbing. Then the two spring clamps at the back. One strip of foam to seal at the bulkhead end, two little foam blocks to stick in holes at the bulkhead end. No seal for tailgate end so I'm going to have to find something else. Overall it's worth the $280 I paid for it but it's definitely going to leak some water in.

 

[Dgc333]

I bought mine directly from Gator in August and there were no brackets and nothing in the instructions about any brackets. It had two sets of attached clamps at the bulkhead end; two attached via the track in the bracket, and two attached via webbing. Then the two spring clamps at the back. One strip of foam to seal at the bulkhead end, two little foam blocks to stick in holes at the bulkhead end. No seal for tailgate end so I'm going to have to find something else. Overall it's worth the $280 I paid for it but it's definitely going to leak some water in.

I also got the SFX Tri-Fold at the end of August. No brackets supplied and no mention in the instructions. The one thing the instructions did say was, if the plastic of the rail caps extended past the metal of the bed, to trim it back where the clamps go so the clamp contacts metal.

 

[Tom_C]

If anyone has a chance, post pics of how it attaches. It doesn't really matter one way or the other at this point I guess, just curious what the front clamps look like at the front of the bed near the bulkhead.

 

[halligan1201]

If anyone has a chance, post pics of how it attaches. It doesn't really matter one way or the other at this point I guess, just curious what the front clamps look like at the front of the bed near the bulkhead.

I think it'll depend on which version because it seems like they're shipping two different ones. I'll try to get a picture of mine later.

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