Help - 1st Gen Tonneau Cover Bracket Install

[James Reetz]

Hi all -



I have a 2005 Trac and a used factory tonneau cover that I got off craigslist.



This morning I pried the black plastic cover off of the lock cylinder and got a new key cut at the local locksmith ($60). Keys and locking mechanisms appear to be working.



Got the brackets and bolts for the bed from fastparts (thanks Torrie). Looks pretty simple, but there is one piece that I don't know about. Torrie sent me a parts diagram, but I still am not sure where this opart goes or how to install it. Apparently it's an extra support plate for one of the brackets. If I am reading the diagram right, it looks like it belongs with the driver's side rear bracket (by the power outlet)...but if it goes there, do i need to get it behind the bed liner somehow or what?



Anybody know for sure what location this plate goes on or exactly how I am supposed to incorporate it into the install?



Thanks in advance.



James



Here is a list of the needed parts for future searchers



1 x 1L5Z-99286B56-AA (this is the plate that I am unsure about)

2 x 1L5Z-99286B70-AA (right front / left rear brackets)

2 x 1L5Z-99286B70-BA (left front / right rear brackets)

12 x W707426-S900 (bolts)

 

[Jerry Gerner 2]

My Trac didn't come with a Tonneau atleast when I bought it. I ended up buying one from a car hauler out in Indiana state and took the mounting brackets off that truck and just bolted it to mine. I didn't know about any plate and one didn't fall from the bed of the Trac I took it off of.



If it goes on the driverside of the bed you can probably acces the inside of the bed panel by removing the driverside brakelight housing, two bolts. If you need to just get under the truck and you can get to the inside of the bed panel from there as well. Pictures would help me see what you're talking about since I didn't use one.

 

[James Reetz]

Here's the mysterious plate



[Broken External Image]:



I installed the 4 brackets without the plate for now and the tonneau cover seems to be working just fine.



I'll keep checking this thread to see if anyone has an answer.



Thanks.

 

[Phill R]

My guess is that it's a backing plate that the brackets bolt into. They are in place under the fiberglass of the bed. Since you bolted the brackets in, I would say you didn't need it and now have a spare.

 

[Richard L]

I agree with Phill R.

Perhaps some Sport Trac's came from the factory without that support plate, but all of the ones I have encountered have the threaded mounting holes in the bed to accept the brackets.



If you need to install the plate, It might be easier to just remove the power outlet box since the bracket goes right above the power outlet?



...Rich

 

[Steve McKellop]

It's the backing bracket for the tonneau brackets, same on all four corners. IDK why you would need ONE. Actually, I've never seen a Trac without all 4 already installed.