Impressions from Bakflip MX4 Installation

First of all this is NOT a how-to installation thread. Plenty of videos on YouTube to show that. I want to share my impressions from installing this cover on my truck.

I ordered the cover through Amazon at a hefty discount from Bakflips MSRP. It took around a week to show up. It was all packaged pretty securely, plenty of foam inside the box to keep everything from knocking around. The supplemental instructions were pretty helpful, though I mostly used the aforementioned YouTube videos to figure out installation.

Overall it took a little less than 2 hrs to get it done. I elected to not use a drill to remove and install all the fasteners to avoid stripping the heads out, and even then one of the factory bolts gave me a hard time when taking off one of the rails.

As for the quality of the product itself, I’ll give an 8/10. My main gripe is there were a LOT of aluminum shavings all over the mounting rails from where the drilled or cut. IMO for this kind of money the very least the could do is hit it will a good blast of compressed air before packaging it up. There are 6 holes on the cover near the cab that also had some metal shavings, and i had to fish some out of the threads of one of those holes. Less than ideal. Also one of the brackets to reinstall the bed rails had jacked up threads that tried to go in at an angle. But because I have a short bed I swapped it out with one of the extras that would have been used for a long bed.

The cover itself feels solid, attaches securely. The rails have a TINY amount of play that comes from the clearance between the mounting brackets and channel extrusion on the rails. I don’t think this would effect the seals against water, and I’m going to try and adjust it.

The most nerve wracking part of the install was drilling out the holes for the drain lines. I used the two existing holes in the bed. The right hole is no problem, but the left sits above the line from the fuel filler to the tank. I used a stepped bit, and I’m sure it came very close to touching it. If I had to do it over I would just use a straight 3/4” bit to reduce that hazard. I know some people just place the lines to drain under a bed mat, but if you can get rid of the moisture entirely, why wouldn’t you?

Overall I like the product, and I’m happy with the security and utility that will come with having a covered bed. Plus I think it looks great with my cement. Sorry for lack of pictures, I just got in the zone as soon as I started turning wrenches

 

I’m shopping for one as well.

 

I’ve had mine for 2 year. Still very happy with it. Not 100% leak proof but damn close.

 

Did you do anything to weatherproof? I’ve had mine for about 1.5 years and it gets more moisture than I would like. I’ve heard about using silicone, just haven’t had a chance to monkey around with it

 

Ditto

 

Nothing special. Just followed the instructions carefully & placed the thin foam tape on the inside top of bed rail. No silicone or anything. I get a couple drip towards the back of the bed near the cabin. Besides that...I’m good!

 

Also helps keep the sand out!

 

Multipurpose. I like it.

 

Hi, first time poster here using that fancy search function to not make an unnecessary thread and I was hoping I could ask you a few questions.

2019 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off Road with the same BAK MX4 cover and I was going to install it yesterday only to find that it was missing the two square caps for the header bar so I am waiting on a replacement.

Just one question about your installation, once you remove the header bar from the front of the box to install those caps, do you also put the foam strip underneath that header or above it? I guess another way of looking at it is does the foam tape go on the bare metal of the vehicle or on the black plastic header?

Thank you very much for your time.

 

To be honest with you, I don’t remember what I did on the back header bar. Sorry! I’m not even sure I put anything on there. I remember putting the foam tape on the inside of the bed rail. I installed it almost 2 years ago.

 

I can confirm the difficulty of installing the cover drain on the left side...the shop who did mine drilled through the gas line. My truck last been at the dealer since Tuesday getting repaired...total repair cost about $600.

I should have just done it myself.

 

That's a new one. Wow. Do people actually drill holes in the composite bed for a tonneau? There are drain holes on the bottom of the bed anyhow so sticking the tubes under a bed mat or just letting them hang is the best solution. The water will drain. Ford F150s have slots already in the bed for tonneau tube routing. Smart but unnecessary. I laughed at the instructions when it told me to drill into the bed. That really sucks, sorry to hear.

 

Same thing happened to me, $583 to repair it but it was covered by the shop who installed my cover.

 

You need a new shop if they don't think about looking or contemplating what is behind whatever they are drilling into.

 

Agreed lol

 

I just installed one on a 2019 DCLB that came off a 2017, and did not remove the header bar. Fits perfect.

 

Instead of using the supplied hoses, I bought smaller dia clear rubber tubing.

I don’t trust most retailers with installing anything. I wouldn’t even let the dealer install license plates.

 

Meh, even with the hoses and holes, expect to have a moist bed after heavy rainfall. I make sure to let mine air out and remove the mat as well after a week or two of rain as it starts to get a bit funky back there (that's what she said, har har).

 

Still talking to the shop about their covering the repair. I’m glad to see your repair cost the same. The shop is saying the quote is too high and they could have done it for less.

 

Thank you Diezel and Hinder. The front edge lays perfectly flush with the header bar...so I didn't thinking was necessary to put that seal across the width of the header.

I think I'll let it stand for now and see how it goes.

I was missing some of the side seals that fit in the crack between the header bar and the sides, but they are supposedly on their way after two customer service calls.

So far I think it looks good and really, this is more for snow than rain, but I like the way it rests against the cab so you don't lose any bed space.

Also, holy shit, professional installation drilled through both of your guys gas lines? Christ.