mneblett

Hi all --

I just purchased a 2018 F-150 Screw, Platinum. I've been a lurking member for a number of years (this is our 5th F-150 since 1984).

The 2018 came with a set of four lockable bed cleats for the four plates on the sides of the bed. I installed one of the cleats -- a bit snug the way in, but I was able to walk it up the slot into place.

The other three cleats are "ain't no way they're goin' in" tight -- the neck of "T" portion of the cleats are too wide to enter the slots and slide up into place. I tried them in all of the other three bed brackets.

I wanted to check in here before I go beck to the dealer, to make sure I'm not missing something obvious. I didn't see an answer in a search, but I suspect I'm not the first to have run into this issue.

Your thoughts?

Thanks!

shane.kelly55

You mean the Box Link? I had the same experience. There is a youtube video floating around out there where the guy used a grinder to grind down part of the material on the cleat to allow room to get in the holder.

I'll try it but after i get my Line-X installed.

BCMIF150

Take it back to the dealer and have them correct the issue.

mneblett

Thanks, folks.

I stopped by my dealer this evening, too close to closing to have them actually work on the cleats, but service suggested that I could remove the mounting plates from the bed walls (4 T30 bolts each) and hammer in the cleats.

I removed the plates, turned them upside down on a soft surface to avoid paint chipping, and used a rubber mallet at the back side of each plate to drive the cleats' "T"s into their slots. Each cleat seated with a few whacks from the mallet, and the mounting plates bolted right back up into place.

Problem fixed.

Neckbone

If it doesn’t fit, beat it with a hammer until it does.

mneblett

I had tried using a rubber mallet to pound the cleats up into place with the brackets installed, but no-go. Downward impacts from the back of the bracket worked well.

Crushtang

Had the same problem, 1 went on no problem, the other 3 no luck. Ended up spraying the cleat and the bracket with WD40 and using a rubber mallet. Not easy to due hammering up, but it worked. Should have just removed the bracket.

jaws revenge

yeah, was PIA for me as well on my '18. removed plates to install. will probably end up using mallet to remove if/when I need to.

Jim Hunter

I had the same issue and I found that there were some molding ridges in the plastic covering of the cleats. I trimmed the ridges away with a knife and the cleats now fit in the bed plates...snug fit but workable. The dealer advised me to NEVER use a hammer or mallet because it could crack the cleat casting and cause it to fail under load.