AAL - bed spacers - kind of disappointed

[FairOaksRaptor]

Hello All,

I just received the bed spacers, and we’re expecting a better fit and finish product. The items are pre-cut to an 1/8” thick for every single shim, and held together with the last threaded shim.

The spacers fit flawlessly on the first hole closest to the cab, the middle one it’s off by a 1/16” or and the last one, with one shim removed, is about 3/16” off. I tried all configurations and couldn’t get them to align with the top of the bed cap. For the last one, because I had to take off two of the shims, the screw holding them together now protrudes the bottom of the shim and now will need to drill a holle to compensate for this on the last one.

I’ll make it work with what I am going to do, I just thought it would be a better fit without all the adjustments.

see the photos attached, give me your opinion on the shape and sizes.
I feel that if they gave 4-pieces with them varying by in thicknesses than it may have worked, and the top shim would have been countersunked, then the fit and finish maybe a better fit.

the pieces included are the following:
1. - 1 qty 1
2. - 5 qty 2
3. - 1 qty 13

I’ll install the bed rail nut plates and hope to have better fitment.

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[superj]

That is true, the bed is not perfectly straight so the shims fit differently at each hole

 

[Unit 91]

They're for clearance, and work a treat. I just put their bed rack on today, and the shims allow the rack to sit just above the cap without crushing anything. They'd have to do variable widths or billet pieces to be more precise, maybe. Did you measure the individual shims while you had it all apart? I'm curious...

Complexity, and cost without being assured they would be right. It looks like the bed caps aren't exactly uniform across all the trucks.

Not defending, or dismissing your concern - I get it. Expectations are expectations. The nut plates are a pretty sweet solution, though. Way better than bolts/nuts.

 

[Buellsox]

Quick question but you wouldn’t happen to have a 2026 model would you? I know Ford changed the rail caps on the 26’s (thinner I believe). If that’s not it then they shouldn’t be like that, they should be flush. Maybe give AAL a call or email with your pics. Sorry for the poor fitment.

For anyone else interested in another option…. just installed a set of Buckle Up Offroads phenolic spacers in preparation for an ARE canopy that’s on order to strengthen the cap rails on my ‘25 model. There are 2 different sizes, fit flush, quite well, and seem very robust.

 

[FairOaksRaptor]

I am going to make a custom standoff that fits a Yakima landing pad 1 and the AAL spacer that’s 8” High to clear my roll-up tonneau cover. Will eventually put a roof top tent on the back of the truck.

I have a 2024 model manufactured in September. I’ll reach out to AAL and see what they say. I guess Ford tolerances plus aftermarket tolerances = 1/4” +/-.

on a positive note, the bed rail nuts fit once I figured out how the numbering system went…. 2-4-6 on drivers side, and 3-5-7 is on passengers side. The 2 and 3 needs some finagling but is possible. Not needing nuts and it being locked in by a total of 4-nuts two on the top and two on the bottom gives me more security.

I’ll post more photos once I get the standoff fabbed up…

 

[Unit 91]

Their instructions are pretty good, but you have to go to the product page to find them.

The one nearest the cab was a hot hassle to install. The bolt all the way forward was not the best, and I have large hands.

 

[FairOaksRaptor]

Their instructions are pretty good, but you have to go to the product page to find them.

The one nearest the cab was a hot hassle to install. The bolt all the way forward was not the best, and I have large hands.

Agreed it took some patience, and a little break, I dropped a screw in between the bed. A good head lamp helped too because can’t see the screw hole as it’s tucked in the corner. Cheers mate!

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