This a two part question, but they are related.
I've been researching adding the box link cleats to my 2019 F150. Looking on line for Ford OEM parts I see several different part numbers.
Has Ford made changes to the cleats that change the Ford part numbers. Want to sure I buy the best OEM cleats.

The second question, and this applies to both the standard interface bracket mounting for the cargo bed as well as to adding running boards/step rails.
After just adding the Ford OEM running boards myself a friend asked did I smear grease where the brackets attach underneath the body?
His thinking was that the mounts are Steel, and it attaches to an aluminum body and would start the process of corrosion between the two different metals.

The standard interface looks like it's steel so I ask also for that. Should I smear grease on both the bracket rear side, and running board mounts?

 

Your friend is definitely correct about the galvanic corrosion between steel and aluminum. I replaced a running board motor and there was blistering corrosion under the paint on the aluminum.
I'm not sure the best method to prevent.

However, I do think the incidence is much increased in presence of salt (for example winter road salt, running boards under the truck).
I think it would take a long time or never for the box link brackets in the bed to corrode underneath.

 

Thanks for replying mbrick Since I'm in a high salt use area, and see no other suggestions for helping stop the corrosion I'm going to try the "smearing of greese" and see what occurs.

 

give it a good coating of crc marine heavy duty corrosion inhibitor

 

the_dougler thanks for the reply that sounds promising.

 

May I suggest take a look at a new truck or older one to see how Ford's protection looks. Without going out and re-looking at my truck I have noticed places where Ford placed what appears to be an insulating plastic type material between the steel frame and the bed of my truck.

 

riteway yes from the quick reading I am doing about galvanic corrosion keeping the pieces apart with some sort of spacer was one of the ways to stop the corrosion.