2024 Ranger with rooftop tent and J brackets.

[Pursuit]

I want to put a 181lb tent on my Adarac rack for the summer. I’m told I need J brackets?the rack sits 12 inches above the bed and sits in the Post sockets. I don’t intent to be off road. Are the brackets necessary.

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[RichR]

It depends on when your Ranger was built. If it was built before the middle of September 2024, it will need the brackets. Anything over 88 pounds needs them. There are lots of posts here that address that subject.

 

[TheRealSasquatch]

It depends on when your Ranger was built. If it was built before the middle of September 2024, it will need the brackets. Anything over 88 pounds needs them. There are lots of posts here that address that subject.

I have a December MY24. I am having trouble finding what exactly Ford changed so the brackets are not necessary. I don't think Ford just put the brackets on at the factory I can't see any. Maybe I am looking in the wrong spot. Are there any posts or pictures I am missing to see how the bed has been beefed up?
Correction: I found bad pictures from different angles. Riveted vs Bonded assembly methods. Still looks pretty weak. I am eventually going to beef that up so I don't crack the bed.

 

[RichR]

In the middle of September Ford started to install the brackets, They are different from the ones that had to be dealer-installed. If you search here you may find the reference to those and photos.

 

[kvranger]

Ford modified the bed to provide better support and doesn’t install j-braces. Production started in late July and dealers started seeing them in August. My ranger was built in late August and has the modified bed and doesn’t need the braces.

 

[Satex]

I want to put a 181lb tent on my Adarac rack for the summer. I’m told I need J brackets?the rack sits 12 inches above the bed and sits in the Post sockets. I don’t intent to be off road. Are the brackets necessary.

If you don't intend to be offroad, I'd say you don't need to worry. That's not my recommendation, but rather my interpretation of Ford's position ... over 90 pounds AND offroad.

 

[schapstic]

I have a December MY24. I am having trouble finding what exactly Ford changed so the brackets are not necessary. I don't think Ford just put the brackets on at the factory I can't see any. Maybe I am looking in the wrong spot. Are there any posts or pictures I am missing to see how the bed has been beefed up?
Correction: I found bad pictures from different angles. Riveted vs Bonded assembly methods. Still looks pretty weak. I am eventually going to beef that up so I don't crack the bed.

see attached. The left picture shows the updated bed rail support.

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