New to the Ranger Forum

[Albatross Bill]

Hi I’m new to the Ranger Forum, traded in my 2022 Ranger Lariat FX4 on a 2024 Ranger Lariat FX4 with the 2.7 L V6 following a test drive of the 2024 Ranger. To me the ride quality on the 2024 is much better and I like the full power seats. Not to mention that my wife wanted the tan interior and 360 camera view. The 2.7 L V6 should help with towing the boat, although the 4 cylinder did okay, the extra power will be nice as the boat and trailer weigh about 6000 lbs. Only tow this for short distances when boat needs maintenance or the bottom cleaned.

I’ve found a lot of good information on this forum, including the need for J Braces if you are going to put anything on the bed rails which I plan to do. Had a roof top Malone carrier that was mounted over the truck bed on the 2022 and plan to mount it the same way on the 2024. Had a Retrax Pro XR cover on the 2022 Ranger but want to go a different direction for the 2024. The Retrax cover limited the available space in the bed and I kept knocking the drain tubes loose when loading items in the bed. Really liked the Diamondback covers, however after I called to find out more information on availability it would be several months out and when looking at the plastic bed caps I didn’t see how the bed caps would support the Diamondback cover if a load was placed on top of it without either removing the bed caps or installing a rail above the bed caps to support the weight. Maybe I over thinking this but that is what engineers do.

Decided to go with a TruXedo Sentry CT cover and use the Unistrut rails I made for the 2022 Ranger. However this requires shims to be installed so the weight will not be on the plastic bed caps. On this Forum found where someone used aluminum spacers (blocks) in the stake box holes to put the weight on the bed rail. I ordered some pre-cut spacers 3“ long, 1.25” wide, and 1“ inch thick to be placed in the stake box holes. More updates once I get this completed. I ordered and have received the J Brace Kit from Ford. Going to install soon.

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[SubaruRaptor]

Hi I’m new to the Ranger Forum, traded in my 2022 Ranger Lariat FX4 on a 2024 Ranger Lariat FX4 with the 2.7 L V6 following a test drive of the 2024 Ranger. To me the ride quality on the 2024 is much better and I like the full power seats. Not to mention that my wife wanted the tan interior and 360 camera view. The 2.7 L V6 should help with towing the boat, although the 4 cylinder did okay, the extra power will be nice as the boat and trailer weigh about 6000 lbs. Only tow this for short distances when boat needs maintenance or the bottom cleaned.

I’ve found a lot of good information on this forum, including the need for J Braces if you are going to put anything on the bed rails which I plan to do. Had a roof top Malone carrier that was mounted over the truck bed on the 2022 and plan to mount it the same way on the 2024. Had a Retrax Pro XR cover on the 2022 Ranger but want to go a different direction for the 2024. The Retrax cover limited the available space in the bed and I kept knocking the drain tubes loose when loading items in the bed. Really liked the Diamondback covers, however after I called to find out more information on availability it would be several months out and when looking at the plastic bed caps I didn’t see how the bed caps would support the Diamondback cover if a load was placed on top of it without either removing the bed caps or installing a rail above the bed caps to support the weight. Maybe I over thinking this but that is what engineers do.

Decided to go with a TruXedo Sentry CT cover and use the Unistrut rails I made for the 2022 Ranger. However this requires shims to be installed so the weight will not be on the plastic bed caps. On this Forum found where someone used aluminum spacers (blocks) in the stake box holes to put the weight on the bed rail. I ordered some pre-cut spacers 3“ long, 1.25” wide, and 1“ inch thick to be placed in the stake box holes. More updates once I get this completed. I ordered and have received the J Brace Kit from Ford. Going to install soon.

Check the build date on your truck. If it was built after 9/12 you dont need the braces.


Fits These Vehicles

• Ford Ranger 2024
• • Required when installing accessories extending above the load box side rail and weighing more than 88lb (40kg)
  • Required for vehicles built before 9/12/24

 

[Albatross Bill]

The build date of my Ranger is 8/6/2024. Wish I could get information from Ford for what recalls and customer satisfaction programs are applicable to my VIN, however when I put my VIN number in on website it returns No Recalls and No Customer Satisfaction Programs are applicable to my truck. I’m trying the “Chat” with Ford to see if I can get real answer.

Discussed with my son today and he will help with the installation of the J Braces at his shop after the tonneau cover is delivered. Should be able to use one of the lifts which will make the install easier.

 

[kvranger]

I would have a look underneath. My build date is 8/24/2024 and has the updated bed. The official doc has build date from 1/4/2024 to 7/15/2024.

Link to the doc

This is what the updated bed looks like:

 

[PA Raptor]

My RR was built the week after 7/15 so maybe I need to take a look underneath and see if I have the updated bed that doesn’t need the J-braces. It got delayed 2 weeks, so maybe this is why it was delayed.

 

[Ford Motor Company]

Hi I’m new to the Ranger Forum, traded in my 2022 Ranger Lariat FX4 on a 2024 Ranger Lariat FX4 with the 2.7 L V6 following a test drive of the 2024 Ranger. To me the ride quality on the 2024 is much better and I like the full power seats. Not to mention that my wife wanted the tan interior and 360 camera view. The 2.7 L V6 should help with towing the boat, although the 4 cylinder did okay, the extra power will be nice as the boat and trailer weigh about 6000 lbs. Only tow this for short distances when boat needs maintenance or the bottom cleaned.

I’ve found a lot of good information on this forum, including the need for J Braces if you are going to put anything on the bed rails which I plan to do. Had a roof top Malone carrier that was mounted over the truck bed on the 2022 and plan to mount it the same way on the 2024. Had a Retrax Pro XR cover on the 2022 Ranger but want to go a different direction for the 2024. The Retrax cover limited the available space in the bed and I kept knocking the drain tubes loose when loading items in the bed. Really liked the Diamondback covers, however after I called to find out more information on availability it would be several months out and when looking at the plastic bed caps I didn’t see how the bed caps would support the Diamondback cover if a load was placed on top of it without either removing the bed caps or installing a rail above the bed caps to support the weight. Maybe I over thinking this but that is what engineers do.

Decided to go with a TruXedo Sentry CT cover and use the Unistrut rails I made for the 2022 Ranger. However this requires shims to be installed so the weight will not be on the plastic bed caps. On this Forum found where someone used aluminum spacers (blocks) in the stake box holes to put the weight on the bed rail. I ordered some pre-cut spacers 3“ long, 1.25” wide, and 1“ inch thick to be placed in the stake box holes. More updates once I get this completed. I ordered and have received the J Brace Kit from Ford. Going to install soon.

Congratulations on your new Ranger, Bill! We're so glad to have you on the forum and as part of the Ford family.

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