RealTruck Elevate CS Rack with BakFlip Revolver X4TS on 2025 Ranger XLT

[derecskey]

I did a thing. They said it couldn't be done, but I did a thing.

Finally ordered and received the Elevate CS Rack for my Ranger. I've had my BakFlip Revolver X4TS with t-slot for nearly a year, and finally had the funds and made the decision to purchase the Elevate rack. I think I must have accidentally set my vehicle to a '23 Ranger on RealTruck because if you're set to a 6th gen, it won't allow you to purchase. Your mileage may vary, I think I just had an 'oops'. Anyway, everything went together easy. If anything, this firmed up the tail end of my BakFlip tonneau.

Distance between the posts as I have it installed now is about 42.5", inside to inside. RealTruck sells a crossbar, the Standard length is 41". I had held off on ordering because I wanted to see how things came together before ordering the side rail. I'm holding off for now, but may still order, sliding the forward-most rail toward the back to fit. I see no need to add these rails at this time, however, I'll be watching for any torquing of the uprights and add if I feel it necessary. With an on-road limit of 500 lbs on this system, I hope to stay well below that limit. I won't be adding a roof-top tent or anything like that. My use cases are light lumber, aluminum extension ladders, fiberglass 6-footer and 8-footer step ladders, and my already-in-hand Yakima bike carriers.

Heading out to dinner last night after install, I immediately noticed a whistle. I waited and sure enough my wife noticed it too. Mind you, we had the radio off, but it's usually on. I probably wouldn't notice with the radio on. I'll add the rubber gasket in the T-slot (included/shipped with product) to cut down on this once I have a sense for how I think I'm going to use the load stops and bike rack.

One thing I didn't think about was that you have to remove and reinstall the end-caps on the rails (allen-wrench) if you want to remove/reinstall the load stops, so I think I'm going to just run with them constantly on. I know I've seen other racks that have a slot notch that allows for exfiltration of the load stop or accessory without removing end caps.

All in all, very happy on first impression. I will be running these at the dropped 18.75 or 19" (whatever it is) full time. At this height, system is very stiff, and as I said actually improved the function / stiffness of my tonneau and rails. I can grab the uprights and shake the entire vehicle with no visible distortion anywhere (tonneau rails, bedsides, bed rails, bed rail caps). Climbing up into the bed is marginally easier as well with somewhere to grab for an assist.

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[Sauce]

Yours looks great - I'm looking to do a similar setup. I was told that the reason they don't advertise it for the 6G is not due to fitment (obviously fits), but due do with more limited weight capacity on that generation of Ranger. I don't know the details beyond that. Does yours go lower, or is it fixed height?

 

[derecskey]

Yours looks great - I'm looking to do a similar setup. I was told that the reason they don't advertise it for the 6G is not due to fitment (obviously fits), but due do with more limited weight capacity on that generation of Ranger. I don't know the details beyond that. Does yours go lower, or is it fixed height?

It can go higher, but not lower. That said, I've seen people ordering full size kits and cutting the aluminum rails on a miter saw with a good new metal blade, so why couldn't you do similar with the uprights, drill new holes, etc? Pretty simple.

And I'm convinced Truxedo/RealTruck are still gunshy with the 6th gen Ranger because of the recall around 2024 trucks produced before September '24 that were missing the j-brace reinforcing the bed sides, and nothing more.

 

[midnight270]

Looks good. I have the BAK Revolver X4TS on my truck. I ordered the Kuat Ibex rack last week with t slot adapter. I think it will bolt right up. I'll definitely take pictures when I install it.

 

[designrlee]

I did a thing. They said it couldn't be done, but I did a thing.

Finally ordered and received the Elevate CS Rack for my Ranger. I've had my BakFlip Revolver X4TS with t-slot for nearly a year, and finally had the funds and made the decision to purchase the Elevate rack. I think I must have accidentally set my vehicle to a '23 Ranger on RealTruck because if you're set to a 6th gen, it won't allow you to purchase. Your mileage may vary, I think I just had an 'oops'. Anyway, everything went together easy. If anything, this firmed up the tail end of my BakFlip tonneau.

Distance between the posts as I have it installed now is about 42.5", inside to inside. RealTruck sells a crossbar, the Standard length is 41". I had held off on ordering because I wanted to see how things came together before ordering the side rail. I'm holding off for now, but may still order, sliding the forward-most rail toward the back to fit. I see no need to add these rails at this time, however, I'll be watching for any torquing of the uprights and add if I feel it necessary. With an on-road limit of 500 lbs on this system, I hope to stay well below that limit. I won't be adding a roof-top tent or anything like that. My use cases are light lumber, aluminum extension ladders, fiberglass 6-footer and 8-footer step ladders, and my already-in-hand Yakima bike carriers.

Heading out to dinner last night after install, I immediately noticed a whistle. I waited and sure enough my wife noticed it too. Mind you, we had the radio off, but it's usually on. I probably wouldn't notice with the radio on. I'll add the rubber gasket in the T-slot (included/shipped with product) to cut down on this once I have a sense for how I think I'm going to use the load stops and bike rack.

One thing I didn't think about was that you have to remove and reinstall the end-caps on the rails (allen-wrench) if you want to remove/reinstall the load stops, so I think I'm going to just run with them constantly on. I know I've seen other racks that have a slot notch that allows for exfiltration of the load stop or accessory without removing end caps.

All in all, very happy on first impression. I will be running these at the dropped 18.75 or 19" (whatever it is) full time. At this height, system is very stiff, and as I said actually improved the function / stiffness of my tonneau and rails. I can grab the uprights and shake the entire vehicle with no visible distortion anywhere (tonneau rails, bedsides, bed rails, bed rail caps). Climbing up into the bed is marginally easier as well with somewhere to grab for an assist.

From my research, rack install is only an issue on 01/2024 - 07/2024 Rangers due to a lack of structural integrity inside bed rails… that can be remedied by installing J-braces. HOWEVER, I cannot find any information from Ford that states what the top-of-bed-rails max capacity increases TO once J-braces are installed (88lb max without braces). This is an issue for the rack manufactures because they are hesitant to offer their products for any Gen6 Ranger even though the issue was resolved for Gen6’s built after 07-2024. Ford has not published a new max load for these vehicles.

For those who have installed racks, did you also install the spacer blocks in place of the stake hole caps to prevent the plastic bed rail caps from crushing? I understand the cap was also not designed to bear weight due to a 1/2” gap below it.

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