eganovage

I did mine too but I always run into something. If you have a cover you're likely going to have to take it off, otherwise the router base will not ride flat when you cut out the hole.
The bit is useful because it has multiple bearings and the cutter is at the right height. You can use a flush cut bit but but might have to be careful to not catch it on the steel rail below.
I used a regular router. The recommended Makita one has a very small base that allows you to easily cut the hole up by the cab where there is little clearance. Since I have a regular (large) base I could only get about 80% of the hole cut before the base contacted the cab. So......I took the base off and freehanded it. Worked fine but be careful so you don't get tipsy and touch the steel frame.
If you have some stuff in the bed or a bed rug you're going to get plastic stuff all over when doing the cuts. Remove all the junk from the bed first to facilitate cleanup.
Clean up the cut hole a bit after the router work. It just makes the bull ring fit better.
To get the bull ring in the hole you have to unscrew it's screws all the way to get the clearance you need. They won't fall out.
No instructions are included so watch the videos on their web site.

Toddman38

iTrader: (5)

Still waiting on mine purchased 2 weeks ago! They from Texas, past me in STL, MO to PA??? Still waiting for the return!

yotehunter

Did anyone else notice the Bullrings deformed the rail caps very slightly when installing? Did not look OEM to me.I have ocd pretty bad,so I installed shims underneath the rail caps to keep them from deforming when tightening the Bullrings,and yes I tightened them" finger" tight.

itguy08

Thanks. It's the standard Tonno Pro cover and it goes to the last "rib" on both sides. Looks like it would fit but I suppose I'll have to go out with a tape measure and try to figure out where the holes are. Although I suppose some creative gasketing could also work.

xcntrk

That's why they say finger tight. There's an obvious air-gap between the plastic cover and steel of the bed rail. Not Bull rings fault, ford's design for whatever reason. Those who used to do a custom install of regular bull-ring and manually cut out the hole (without special bit), used to shim the pocket to help add some additional strength and prevent the bull ring housing from deforming the plastic. You could always do the same.

yotehunter

I think I said finger tight and I used shims.

Damn Dirty Ape

iTrader: (1)

I had them on my '13 but they would rattle and could hear it quite well with the rear window open. To clarify it was the metal part that pops up, grab it with 2 fingers and move it back and forth to see what I mean. Hope they changed it from last year.

Bluejeans3.5L

I haven't noticed any noise while driving, but I understand what you're talking about. If I hear anything out-of-the-ordinary I'll report back.

xcntrk

Just wanted to add some input to OP's thread:

For those without a router, you can still install these using the special router bit and a hand drill. I used the fastest (rpm) hand-drill I had and it worked just fine. Granted the bit dances around a little until the bearings come to rest on the stake-pocket lip (under the plastic). Once that happens, the bit cut the same hole that any high-quality router would cut. It's not pretty, but it works just fine

brianw0048

iTrader: (1)

Installed mine this week. Took less than an hour and I completely removed the bedcover to make sure the router had plenty of clearance.

I just read someone's comment about putting shims under the bed rail...I will probably go back and do that.