Mounting an overland rack to the bed rails

[FloridaMatt96]

Hey yall, Im thinking of getting an overland rack and then putting a rooftop tent on it. Ive heard the plastic rail caps break easily and wont support an overland rack. How did yall mount the rack to your bed rails? Or did yall take off the caps, mount it and then reinstall the caps? Can yall show me your rail mount pictures? I need some inspiration

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[pablo94sc]

You need 1 or 2 things:

1. Pocket spacer shims. Buckle up and AAL sell them, and I think some canopies come with them if you go that route.
2. J-Braces for any truck built before mid-Sept 2024.

 

[FloridaMatt96]

You need 1 or 2 things:

1. Pocket spacer shims. Buckle up and AAL sell them, and I think some canopies come with them if you go that route.
2. J-Braces for any truck built before mid-Sept 2024.

Mine is a 2025 STX

 

[superj]

OK, Just the spacers than.

The American adventure labs spacers and nut plates are great. I bought them and used them put an overland rack in my truck that will also get a tent on top.

Sorry but I apparently have no other pics

 

[FloridaMatt96]

OK, Just the spacers than.

The American adventure labs spacers and nut plates are great. I bought them and used them put an overland rack in my truck that will also get a tent on top.

Sorry but I apparently have no other pics

Thanks man, thats super helpful! What tires are those btw? Hows the traction. Im running the stock good year all terrains that came on it now and theyre pretty good here in Florida but id like to upgrade once these go bald.

 

[FloridaMatt96]

OK, Just the spacers than.

The American adventure labs spacers and nut plates are great. I bought them and used them put an overland rack in my truck that will also get a tent on top.

Sorry but I apparently have no other pics

https://americanadventurelab.com/product/ford-ranger-bed-rail-attachment-spacer-pack-pair/

These are all I need to mount an overland rack? Is that correct?

 

[Havasu RR]

Hey yall, Im thinking of getting an overland rack and then putting a rooftop tent on it. Ive heard the plastic rail caps break easily and wont support an overland rack. How did yall mount the rack to your bed rails? Or did yall take off the caps, mount it and then reinstall the caps? Can yall show me your rail mount pictures? I need some inspiration

@American Adventure LAb
All the way. Start and finish there and you'll be super happy

 

[superj]

Thanks man, thats super helpful! What tires are those btw? Hows the traction. Im running the stock good year all terrains that came on it now and theyre pretty good here in Florida but id like to upgrade once these go bald.

I have the higher version of the stock goodyear territories. We have nothing for off roading here in south Texas so these are great for normal use and occasional dirt trails.

they are called territory at s

 

[FloridaMatt96]

I have the higher version of the stock goodyear territories. We have nothing for off roading here in south Texas so these are great for normal use and occasional dirt trails.

they are called territory at s

https://americanadventurelab.com/product/ford-ranger-bed-rail-attachment-spacer-pack-pair/

Are these the spacers youre talking about? Should I get the shims too or will these work?

 

[pablo94sc]

OK, Just the spacers than.

The American adventure labs spacers and nut plates are great. I bought them and used them put an overland rack in my truck that will also get a tent on top.

Sorry but I apparently have no other pics

I have to say, if Ford did a Wildtrak variant, it should have that front end. That looks much so better than I would have expected. Beefy goodness.

 

[superj]

https://americanadventurelab.com/product/ford-ranger-bed-rail-attachment-spacer-pack-pair/

Are these the spacers youre talking about? Should I get the shims too or will these work?

I got those spacers and under rail nut plates. The plates let you unbolt and adjust or swap rack, shells, etc without having to get under the rail with a socket or wrench to hold anything

 

[superj]

I have to say, if Ford did a Wildtrak variant, it should have that front end. That looks much so better than I would have expected. Beefy goodness.

Yup. I love how the truck looks with that grill assembly

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