Hole--eee Ranger

[FunInTheSun]

If the holes are "standard equipment" then the stuff that fills them should be "standard" also !!!
Common sense !!!

Well... I don't know if the accessories that "could" occupy the holes are always something one would always want to pay for. For instance if they make the holes for a tonneau cover, then the guys who want a topper are going to what? Throw away a "standard" tonneau cover? Nah.

I like extra holes, because they facilitate "no-drill" installations of various accessories. I installed my side steps in pre-fabricated holes, designed to support side steps. NO DRILL! YAY!!!

Corrosion is the enemy of all metal things, especially things with dissimilar metals, and drilling holes in the undercarriage has always set my teeth on edge. (I spent a LOT of time in the Navy on "Corrosion Control" inspections, corrosion prevention and treatment. Gah!)

It's really hard to do an effective rustproofing job after drilling or tapping a finished part. Usually you have no access to the back side, and you have to get REALLY creative if you want to keep these holes from becoming a problem. I had a few well-loved cars that I had to give up because of rust issues. '81 Datsun 510, a '74 Datsun 710, and my son had a '91 Jeep with SEVERE corrosion damage to the frame and floor pans. But I digress... (As usual for me...)

Anyways, Grumpy, take that lemon and make some lemonade!!! Empty holes allow inventive folks to fabricate their own, "custom" accessories without having to do a lot of analysis about WHERE it is safe to drill... Pre-fabricated holes like these are already deburred, rustproofed and properly finished to match the factory paint, and some already have a threaded insert installed. Makes for a PRO installation if you can use them.

I was already planning some things for my "extra" holes. I'd like to see more of them, especially with threaded inserts and properly plugged, with some notes in the Owners' Manual regarding allowable loads, etc. But that's not gonna happen. Two of my holes are now "taken for my Truxedo Sentry CT tonneau cover, and the little odd-shaped holes on the front bulkhead were also used, but I just got a new revised assembly part that eliminated the metal bar that was bolted on using these two.

I think they should probably give some information about the holes, but a lot of times they don't necessarily sell the parts to fill them, because they need to have a different wiring harness or something. Think Lighting kits, etc. But they could. LOL, sorry for the wall of text.

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[OrangeStreak]

If the holes are "standard equipment" then the stuff that fills them should be "standard" also !!!
Common sense !!!
[/QU

My service department told me:

These are for one of the Ford tonneau covers.

Ford bed lights.

Bolt holes for the tonneau cover previously mentioned.

Good information . The spray-in guys filled in the two front ones but left the side ones open. I have been looking at tonneau's (not Ford) so now need to determine if the aftermarkets also use the front two for installation

 

[OrangeStreak]

Ever taken a close...really close look at the bed of your Ranger...at least the Supercab ?
On the top rail just behind the rear window, 2 holes exist. But, drivers side is an oval, while passenger side is round.
Drivers side wall...large square hole with small round hole next to it, but on passenger side...nada, nothing, no holes.
Plus the 2 extra holes on either side of the front upper bed walls (a 3/4 inch rubber plug fits those perfectly)
Not counting the holes that are threaded for the non-existent tie downs. Those are there so Ford can get $$$$ from us for their stuff.
I can only surmise that the person whose job it is as a "hole puncher" has an eyeball problem.
That and, what are all the extra holes for ???

Thanks for bringing this up. It will be useful for helping me figure out how to install an aftermarket tonneau

 

[Radioman]

I like extra holes, because they facilitate "no-drill" installations of various accessories. I installed my side steps in pre-fabricated holes, designed to support side steps. NO DRILL! YAY!!!

... Empty holes allow inventive folks to fabricate their own, "custom" accessories without having to do a lot of analysis about WHERE it is safe to drill... Pre-fabricated holes like these are already deburred, rustproofed and properly finished to match the factory paint, and some already have a threaded insert installed. Makes for a PRO installation if you can use them.

I cleaned out the six 6mm holes at the rear of the bed (sprayed in bedliner filled the holes) with a 6 mm tap. I also purchased ring hooks which I can insert as needed. When not in use, I keep them under the rear seat. This gives me addition tie-down locations for smaller items transported near the rear of the bed.

Please note the added mid-bed tie-downs and the wonderful dampener.

 

[THLONE]

My guess is the one round hole and the oblong hole is for the robot that sometimes has a bad day. If your a hole anal questioner then good luck. It does give an unfinished look to a person that doesnt use the bed for much, a wanabe trucker. OK I better stop before I get too carried away.

 

[JACKSMYDOG]

I cleaned out the six 6mm holes at the rear of the bed (sprayed in bedliner filled the holes) with a 6 mm tap. I also purchased ring hooks which I can insert as needed. When not in use, I keep them under the rear seat. This gives me addition tie-down locations for smaller items transported near the rear of the bed.

Please note the added mid-bed tie-downs and the wonderful dampener.

Nice!

I did similar on my F150, will be adding something to this too.

 

[JACKSMYDOG]

The rust?

 

[Apples]

I don't know why no one has figured the holes out! They're for attaching a tonneau cover. How do I know? Because I bought one, and installed it myself!

 

[majorv]

I cleaned out the six 6mm holes at the rear of the bed (sprayed in bedliner filled the holes) with a 6 mm tap. I also purchased ring hooks which I can insert as needed. When not in use, I keep them under the rear seat. This gives me addition tie-down locations for smaller items transported near the rear of the bed.

Please note the added mid-bed tie-downs and the wonderful dampener.

I’ve made a few trips to the dealer for various things and after the last visit I noticed that I suddenly had mid-bed tie downs! That was so nice of them!!

 

[rang19ca]

The added tie-downs help with traction.

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