Kirk, what do you mean about the nylon nuts? If I didn't chisel off the existing nuts, plan B was to drill out the existing nuts, add the flat metal piece that came with the u-bolt across the back of the old nuts, add a lock washer and another nut. Aren't nylon nuts plastic, what purpose would those serve?

 

OK, so here is the finished product. I ended up drilling out the factory nuts and putting the u-bolts through. If I remember correctly the u-bolts are 2" across, that is the size needed to fit through the factory brackets. I bought zinc plated at $1.99 because I did not want to spend $6.99 each for stainless steel, call me cheap. Drill the nuts out using a 21/64" bit, the u-bolts are 5/16". I put the flat plate that comes with the u-bolt on the back side along with a 5/16" flat washer, lock washer and nut. Tighten, sit back and admire your work. As a side note, what the heck was Ford thinking with these factory tie-downs, talk about impractical.

 

How does your setup work? Would you recommend it?

 

I have an older truck but hey a bed is a bed. I have four eye bolts in the bed, two up in the back corners and two up front on either side of my toolbox.