Anyone have a better mounting solution than these? The more you tighten them the more they tilt to the side. Any real torque and they are going to bend the edge of the bed rail.

Any one know of a clip I could slide over the bed rail that might reinforce it a little?

 

Maybe grind a little lip onto the lower face of the L bracket?

 

You are probably also over tighting those hold down bolts ....Snug a just a little more is adequate ??
I try to make sure that drop down ege is a little bent towards the outside of the truck also....

 

https://www.portlandbolt.com/technic...-torque-chart/
Here is a torque chart on hardware.
Note more than likely the supplied hardware is Chinese in origin and has had minimal quality control.

1/4" plain bolt 2-4 ft lbs
5/16 plain bolt 3-8 ft lbs.

More than likely in today's world there is a recommended torque spec in the installation instructions.

Change out the supplied nut an install a nylock nut and torque to spec then re-torque to spec after awhile settling into place to assure the box is secure.

We also always added rubber mounting tape on the trucks mating surface for additional help in stopping the metal to metal or to metal to plastic from wearing on the trucks surface.

 

I’m no fan of those j-hooks. I have two ProTech boxes and two Weather Guards installed in various trucks (one 2016 Chevy 2500 and the rest in 2018, 2019, and 2022 F-150’s). The later ProTech boxes use a robust aluminum clamp which applies clamping force directly under the upper inside surface of the truck bed rail and the tool box underside. These clamps are also available from Tite-Lok, among other companies. I ordered some for my two Weather Guards, and also bought so 1.5’ precut 1 1/2” x 1” x 1/8” aluminum angle stock from MetalsDepot. The angle stock may not be necessary, but since the underside of my Weather Guard boxes is diamond plate (like yours), I feel the angle stock pieces provide a more stable clamping area for the box. Plus, they provide a similar beneficial effect where the diamond plated box rests on the plastic bedrail. Finally, a minor benefit is that the angle stock also helps close the slots machined into the toolbox for the mounting bolts.

Mind you, none of this is cheap. But I’m quite happy with it.

Here are some pictures from my 2019 F150 with 6.5’ bed and Weather Guard box:




This underside image shows that only two clamps are used per side; the forward bolt is used only to secure the angle iron to the forward mounting hole provided with the tool box.

 

Dee see makes this aluminum J hook. Aluminum j hook Think it's just what you want.

whatever you do don't use steel as that will cause galvanic corrosion