My last truck, 2018 Xlt 301a had the mounting holes, but nothing more. Got the plates at the local Ford store cheaper than I could find them anywhere else...had the folks at Line-X install them when they sprayed the bed. Never did get the tie-down cleats...

My NEW truck, 2019 Lariat 502a came with the plates and cleats...they're still in the original packaging under the rear seat.

 

My truck came with cleats but I don't love the tie down points, I added the following to the bolts that hold the plate to the bedside and use those most often.



These are the proper size you'll want:

 

My '19 XLT came with the mounting brackets already installed...but no cleats. But it wasn't on the sticker, so wasn't actually supposed to come with the truck. My truck did have the "Tough Bed" spray in bed liner....and the mounting plates are sprayed too. So they were installed before the bed liner was sprayed. I bought the cleats on Ebay for $36.

 

The plates are fine and available everywhere including the salvage yard. The cleats are junk. Much better to use $5 E-Track rings which fit the factory plates just fine. Why on earth would anyone want ANOTHER key to keep track of? I'm happy to trade anyone in south central Ohio two Ford cleats for a couple of E-Track rings (if I can find the key) even up.
Bit of advice. The bolts are self threading. Run them close to torque quick with an impact and then final torque by hand. Self threading bolts don't like to be run down slow. Do not tap the holes as it will produce an inferior thread strength. It's all made for the self threading bolts. It will be tight, but just let the impact do the work.

 

Got mine via eBay, think around $60-70 plates and tie downs. The factory tie downs have some advantages. Locked in place but removable by owner. Has a large opening for ropes and straps. Has cleat ears for wrapping rope vice tieing. The clear ears have small holes that you can bolt items to.
E-track fittings fit the base plate. One I use is the wood holding bracket that fits 2” lumber. This can be used as a cargo brace or a raised platform. I also have the ring fittings and straps with the fittings on them. E-trailer is a good source for E-track stuff. I installed the tracks in my cargo trailers.
I highly recommend installing the box link base plates. Then choose either E-track or Ford fittings.

 

Box Link was a part of the 302A until 2018, then it became an $80.00 option. When I turned in my 2017 lease and bought my 2019 one of the dealership employees said dont forget to switch your boxlink over and offered to do it! I didn’t argue.

 

Get them from Ronin direct. $40 and no tax. Had Amazon not gone up $5 i would have gotten them from there and not looked. Installed these 2 weeks ago.

 

I use E-track in my trailer. When I got home I immediately grabbed a few Etrack parts (like the rings) and snapped them in... and they are a very sloppy fit. Boxlink brackets are have oversized holes and Etrack just doesn't fit right. The do snap in - just sloppy fit (not snug like in the real Etrak strips). Is that what you're seeing as well?

 

Yes, a loose fit. I would not leave them unused in place. Easy theft and rattling. I cut my boards for the wood brackets tight, almost a force fit when the brackets are in place.

 

Unless a specific anti rattle fitting, all e-track will have varying degrees of slop. Never heard mine rattle and they are always installed. Here are a couple of pics of different widths of e-track. Both work fine.