Part II, J-Brace Installation-Yikes

[a77cj7]

BTW here are the instructions for those interested (Raptor variant of item)

Thanks for sharing. Sure looking forward to doing it when mine show up.
Definitely not something that should have been done on the assembly line.?

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[Rapture2423]

Thanks for sharing. Sure looking forward to doing it when mine show up.
Definitely not something that should have been done on the assembly line.?

I have a pretty large Ford dealer near me that I'm going to sick this on them. Spoke with the service manager and I could feel him holding back words he wanted to say lol. He was like "I'm going to be doing a lot of these aren't I?" Lol

 

[Moto26]

Not sure if this has been answered, but once the J-brace is installed and everything is closed up, can you look up under there and see the brace? If you were looking at a used Ranger, for instance, would you be able to visually verify that it’s been done?

 

[a77cj7]

Not sure if this has been answered, but once the J-brace is installed and everything is closed up, can you look up under there and see the brace? If you were looking at a used Ranger, for instance, would you be able to visually verify that it’s been done?

Yeah, you could lay down under the front bed corner and see em. Should be pretty obvious on all but black trucks, and still identifiable there. Just look at the front most body mount for the bed.

 

[Trail_Guy]

Thanks for sharing!

 

[a77cj7]

Not sure if this has been answered, but once the J-brace is installed and everything is closed up, can you look up under there and see the brace? If you were looking at a used Ranger, for instance, would you be able to visually verify that it’s been done?

Snapped a pic today while working on my running boards. Not as obvious as I expected, but visible. Easier to see in person with flashlight of course.

 

[Moto26]

Snapped a pic today while working on my running boards. Not as obvious as I expected, but visible. Easier to see in person with flashlight of course.

So you pretty much have to know exactly what you’re looking for to spot this. This is concerning for when 2nd-hand Rangers start hitting the market. Potential buyers will have no clue that this needs to be done if they want to carry stuff on the bed, unless they’re really into Rangers and they’ve been following all of this. For that matter, people buying new might not even think about it. Are owners being given this information by Ford? Is it noted in the stupid digital owner’s manual (which 95% of people will never even look at)?

 

[John E Davies]

I visited my local dealer today, to try to get additional info on my order from a month ago, nope.

I then went to the service desk and they were completely clueless about it. I showed them some pictures I got here on the forum, and they also said “yikes!” I don’t think there will be any dealers who want to do this to a bunch of trucks…. They do not have a body shop, they said they would have one of their alignment guys do the sheet metal work. That bothers me a LOT. I am on very good terms with a nearby body shop, maybe I could get them to do this for me as a favor. I just don’t trust a low wage Ford tech to do body work correctly, even if it is hidden from view. But I can’t proceed without the parts….

BTW Velocity Blue touchup paint is on national back order, drat. What is going on with Ford?

John Davies
Spokane WA

 

[Catalyst]

BTW Velocity Blue touchup paint is on national back order, drat. What is going on with Ford?

Maybe your profile should say "fastest color to be out of stock" Real talk... thanks for the heads up, sounds like my VBM RR should be delivered at the end of the month and this is good info.

 

[greaserman]

When I log on my ford account, it says no recalls , no csps. Shouldn't it mention something about the j braces on the csp? My owner manual makes no mention of it. Do you need these for tonneau covers?

 

[NASSTY]

When I log on my ford account, it says no recalls , no csps. Shouldn't it mention something about the j braces on the csp? My owner manual makes no mention of it. Do you need these for tonneau covers?

I believe the csp only exists if you buy a topper from Ford. If you don't buy a topper from Ford you're on your own for parts and labor.

 

[Mlowery1]

I believe the csp only exists if you buy a topper from Ford. If you don't buy a topper from Ford you're on your own for parts and labor.

Which is absolutely crazy..
Even now with all the parts on back order, let’s say i order a topper from ford. Are they going to tell me, “sorry we can’t install until the load box reinforcement kit is in”??

on the positive side, Levittown ford told me that they should have parts coming in next week. I placed an order with them a couple weeks ago..

 

[greaserman]

I would say the majority of people get a aftermarket topper. Are aftermarket suppliers aware of this? Should be a recall.

 

[NASSTY]

Which is absolutely crazy..
Even now with all the parts on back order, let’s say i order a topper from ford. Are they going to tell me, “sorry we can’t install until the load box reinforcement kit is in”??

on the positive side, Levittown ford told me that they should have parts coming in next week. I placed an order with them a couple weeks ago..

That would be nice if they become available next week. I ordered a bed mat and j-braces from my local dealer 3 months ago and they have no clue what is going on.

 

[greaserman]

Wow. I'm going to order some mud flaps. The molded ones. I wonder how that's gonna work out.

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