This isn't really an "appearance" product, but I couldn't think of a better place to post it. I got sick of the wimpy bed tie downs on my 1998 F-250 LD 4x4 and found some boat cleats (The same type of thing that you use to tie your boat to when you dock it) with the exact same spacing between the bolts as the crappy factory tie downs. They are made by Perko and I found them for $20 a pair (2 pair are needed) at Boaters World - they have them online at Boaters********* - they are 6" Chrome Zinc cleats - part # 32-726-0196. You will also need to go to a good hardware store with a big bolt selection and buy some stainless steel bolts - I think they were 10mm, but they might have been 12mm - just take one of the small black bolts with you to confirm the size. These cleats are easy to tie to with half-hitches or regular knots and they are 100x stronger than the flimsy stock tie downs. The bolt spacing in my 2001 Supercrew is identical even though the factory tie downs were shaped differently and I was able to install the same cleats in my Supercrew.

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2001 Supercrew 4x4 Lariat, Wedgewood Blue with Harvest Gold Two-tone, Amp-Research (Steelhorse) bed extender, Herculiner, Moonroof, Tan Leather, Clear Turn Signal Lenses, Boat Cleat Bed Tie Downs (a must), Factory CD changer.

 

Jtray,
Ford still sells a very nice chromed boat-cleat type of tie-down. Its been around for a long time and has largely been replaced by the more easily installed stake bed, recessed type. It's part # is D3TZ-9900064-A. It's 5-6" long and solidly mounts with two rivet-nut threaded inserts and is incredibly strong. One caveat though. Ford has repackaged the tiedowns in plastic bags and neglected to include the gasket which goes between the truck body and the mounted tiedown. If you can find the tiedowns in the original boxes, everything is included. What were they thinking?...

 

I've been looking for a set but haven't been able to find the right spacing on the bolts...

Could you post the web site again? I think it got moderated for profanity or something....

Thanx.

-Joe-

 

Due to a past event, you can't post the words world . com on this site (don't ask...just go with it)

Here is the link.

 

I have a set of the OE type (boat-cleat) that came stock on my 99. I replaced these with the newer Eyelet type. I was never worth a hoot at knot-tying. Anyway I will give them to anyone who wants to pay the postage from me to you. I guess it would take about 8 bucks or so (in the lower 48 US states only)
Send me a EMAIL at markmizzou@hotmail.com and I will tell you to send the money order for the shipping.

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99 F-150 XLT 4X4, SC, SB, AT, 5.4, Single CD
3.55LS, Tow pkg, Rhino Liner, Sportsman topper,
Westin black double step bars, Custom gold pinstripe, Bright Red/Gold,
Honeycomb grille painted to match truck, Gold front valance and rear bumper covers (both from Eddie Bauer
Expys)