Closed - Internal Stiffeners

In my case it is possible but unlikely. Mine is a CPO '22 so I don't know its whole history, but it has an OEM folding bed lid that appears to have been there a while. The tailgate gaps look uniform.

Mine is possibly install error, I'm on vacation and don't have a full set of tools or a good spot to work. We are heading home today, I may get a chance to play trucks this evening, depends what has piled up while we were gone. It may be the slotted holes will allow me to get things in place

 

If the stiffener plates are misaligned, is it possible (hopefully not) that the original truck used for templating was off slightly?

 

The "issue" just seems to be the big hole.

A wire harness (smaller than the hole) runs through it and if I simply enlarge it, will that be enough to solve things?

I ask because based on another post, the slots do no good since the plate is too thick?

 

@Kwikvette So I’m finally gearing up to do this if the weather holds. This includes actually reading the instructions now that I’m familiar with the parts from painting them a million times and scouring the net for videos to better visualize everything now that I’ve washed up in that cavity.
First thing that struck me is that you measure the holes for the tie down; and then drill the next two holes blind based on that. The alignment of the L bracket is based entirely on your measurements in the first step.
This video isn’t all that great, but dude man found this fact out with the discontinued product. @0:54 you can see his L bracket isn’t lined up

I’m going to bet your parts are fine and after more installs come in we will see how crucial the first two holes are

 

So that was my question yesterday or the day before, and that video answers it fully.

Going back to my initial suggestion, would y'all feel better about me using "slots" on the top of the L bracket? And just not welding the nuts? Plenty of space to place some vice grips to hold a nut in place.

Because if this alignment issue can be found on the original set, then it just means that these issues can change from one installer to the next.

It's why I stated the tool used to measure for the exterior bracket; when we were mocking that up I immediately knew that the measurement there could possibly throw off a few people.

 

This measurement is why I never ordered these in the first place lol I’m a real slap dash, get it done, good enough type guy…
Slotting the holes in your brackets definitely gives install wiggle room, but depending on how badly I botch the measurements, I could be off in either axis couldn’t I?
Would it better to have wider holes in the parts or wider holes in the truck for fitment?

 

The only place where "larger holes" would make sense is on the top of the L bracket where the nuts are welded in, at least that's what I'm assuming.

The exterior bracket is placed on your truck based on physically measuring the holes you'll drill; the holes in the bracket are roughly 1/16" larger than the hole needed to run a bolt through it as I did this on purpose for a little wiggle room.

The internal bracket then gets "placed" based on that exterior bracket.

On the other end of the internal bracket are two holes that again, I slotted to aid in placement of the L bracket.

At this point, the internal bracket's placement will determine where the L bracket sits just like it's portrayed in the video.

The original set doesn't use "larger" holes or slots even, hence why I added them to aid with installation but it seems there's a bit more room for adjustment in regards to the large hole.

Pictures and videos I look up show that the wires going through the hole are plenty thin and have a lot of room when going through the hole so for me, that's still a win (cause it doesn't impede install).

My only question now is, what about those little clips that get pushed in? Maybe the use of the large hole and small slot could allow one to ziptie said wire?

 

And to add, maybe enlarging the big hole as well?

But in doing so could disrupt where the slots are (at least the one in the design).

 

I missed this last statement

I'm not afraid of being wrong with my parts dimensions!

I just want to ensure it isn't user error though; it's why I really wish I had a truck near me as I would move forward with the install the same way I measured the mock up on another truck.

 

Slots strike me as superfluous, but as I’m determined to prove in this thread; idk what I’m talking about. I feel like a zip tie should be more than enough without that plastic wire management thing inserted into a dedicated slot

 

I received mine today!! Now then, who is mechanical inclined near Jacksonville, NC that can help install this. And by help I mean you do it and I pay you in food and booze.

 

I am a little south of you, and will have some experience/guidance soon.

 

You should've just waited a bit longer before moving

 

Got darnit, Bobby. I wish I could have. I pushed it to the last day hahaha

 

Would using the pdf print out guarantee the alignment?

I guess i'll find out. I still need to paint and order hardware. Lagging.

 

I would trust it, given if it's placed correctly.

But you could even use a flat surface pressed up against the bed and measure 2" from there as shown below.



Initial hole placement was done with my aluminum square, but this method confirms the same distance.

 

As someone else has pointed out the installation of the first two holes could be the very cause of this non-functioning hole to line up or not line up.

I would gather this issue came up with whoever designed and built the kit for 4wd Parts and decided it was minuscule and outside of their control. Hence why the guy in the video has a similar problem.

looking at from various points of view can a correction be made? Of course, layout correction, enlarged holes, slots, different installation procedures.

At the end of the day this hole does nothing but allow no harness, one small harness, or two small harnesses through to get from point A to B. As long as that works, let it ride.

just my thoughts.

 

Thanks for reiterating my thoughts on this - I don't mean to downplay the misalignment two members mentioned, but just as we both said, the hole is mostly non-functional as it only needs a small opening for a wire harness to pass through it. Even then it isn't applicable to all trucks, but for those that do apply, the opening will suffice.

Even 4WP couldn't get it perfect.

If everything else fits just fine then I agree, I see no reason to change anything.

At the same time, this is the first time I'm making multiples of anything without having installed a completed set myself to confirm fitment.

 

My issues are probably the same with the first holes needing to line up properly. I think your solution would work, with slots and nuts on the first bracket. Sorry I didn’t get a better pic of that little hole.

 

The hole doesn't even look that "off", but dude thank you. Seems the slot is more off than anything really.

Any pic is better than no pic and this just helps me and everyone in the thread.